"Catastrophic" Drivetrain Failure

[Whitexi]

I was thinking of you when I wrote this - hoping you didn't have anything similar happen.

No visible leaks from diff, and levels were still good. Differentials were just changed with Mobile 1 about 8k ago.

I changed all my drive train fluids out about 30k ago and used redline oil's. I just changed my passenger outer axle seal and always top the diff whenever I open the drive train up.

My Touring is going to be getting a M54B30 with a 6-speed from a 03 on 330xi.

Bill, My Touring has 170K as well. The problem I have with the drivetrain is the universal joints make noise. I just hope I do not have a diff issue.

Is that what your noise is?

[billschusteriv]

My Touring is going to be getting a M54B30 with a 6-speed from a 03 on 330xi.

Noice! I was reading up on this swap - hope you're getting as much as you can from the engine compartment! One thing that sticks in my memory is the intake being a different size between the 325/328 and 330.

Bill, My Touring has 170K as well. The problem I have with the drivetrain is the universal joints make noise. I just hope I do not have a diff issue.

Have you checked the drivetrain and universals for play? The Bentley manual said that the tolerances on these driveshafts and universals are pretty tight and any indication of play is a cause to believe something needs further examination, repair, or replacement. I didn't have any issues on the differential failure. No noises or anything. Everything "seemed" okay.

I changed all my drive train fluids out about 30k ago and used redline oil's. I just changed my passenger outer axle seal and always top the diff whenever I open the drive train up.

When I was looking for synthetics to put in the differential, I had Mobil 1, Valvoline, Royal Purple, Lucas, and something else to choose from. Maybe I did see Redline. I don't know if they had the right fluid weight on hand. I remember being torn between Mobil 1 and Purple.

Good practice to top off - I try to do this with the transmission on the e30 I have.

The front diff was still completely full when it was pulled... which makes we wonder about the mode of failure.

Is that what your noise is?

You've heard the noise from mikey's xi?

[mikeyb74]

My driveshaft makes clunking noises while accelerating or when you are off the pedal then right back on. Like when you have to slow down for a red light which turns green so you give it gas to maintain speed. Thats when I get the clunking noise. I think Whitexi had a thread about this on the "order" forum about something similar.

[az3579]

My driveshaft makes clunking noises while accelerating or when you are off the pedal then right back on. Like when you have to slow down for a red light which turns green so you give it gas to maintain speed. Thats when I get the clunking noise. I think Whitexi had a thread about this on the "order" forum about something similar.

I had that issue with the E30 right before I sold it. That was actually THE thing that forced me to sell it; I couldn't stand throwing parts at it and not getting fixed anymore.
The last thing I replaced was the driveshaft, and it still made that noise. It was RWD.

[billschusteriv]

My driveshaft makes clunking noises while accelerating or when you are off the pedal then right back on. Like when you have to slow down for a red light which turns green so you give it gas to maintain speed. Thats when I get the clunking noise. I think Whitexi had a thread about this on the "order" forum about something similar.

Yep sounds a lot like a universal. All that slop could muck up some of the bearings (e.g.driveshaft bearing). May want to put that on the short list?

[Whitexi]

Noice! I was reading up on this swap - hope you're getting as much as you can from the engine compartment! One thing that sticks in my memory is the intake being a different size between the 325/328 and 330.



Have you checked the drivetrain and universals for play? The Bentley manual said that the tolerances on these driveshafts and universals are pretty tight and any indication of play is a cause to believe something needs further examination, repair, or replacement. I didn't have any issues on the differential failure. No noises or anything. Everything "seemed" okay.



When I was looking for synthetics to put in the differential, I had Mobil 1, Valvoline, Royal Purple, Lucas, and something else to choose from. Maybe I did see Redline. I don't know if they had the right fluid weight on hand. I remember being torn between Mobil 1 and Purple.

Good practice to top off - I try to do this with the transmission on the e30 I have.

The front diff was still completely full when it was pulled... which makes we wonder about the mode of failure.

You've heard the noise from mikey's xi?

No lol but we all follow our threads when theres a noise hahaha.

My driveshaft makes clunking noises while accelerating or when you are off the pedal then right back on. Like when you have to slow down for a red light which turns green so you give it gas to maintain speed. Thats when I get the clunking noise. I think Whitexi had a thread about this on the "order" forum about something similar.

I did and it has gotten better but it wasn't my drive shaft. It was completely out and was deemed ok. It was the redline fluid I put in my tranny which did not seem to cooperate it much. soooo I had it flushed and filled with the oem and it has gotten alot better but I am hoping its a software issue because it didn't happen as soon as I used the red line and its been doing it for over a year now roughly 20k or so. Its not only when I get on the gas to quick if I stop suddenly I feel it bump down from 3rd to 2nd, but again its completely random. Im taking it to another member on the forum to have him update the trans software. If that don't work then im gonna ride it till it breaks because like az3579 said there's nothing worse than throwing parts at it only to not have it fixed.

I also had the transmission checked for any codes and there were none at all.

[billschusteriv]

FIXED.

The seized front differential was swapped for a used one and filled with Mobil1 75W-90.

For the next fluid change I'm going to do some more reading... and maybe have the factory stuff put in the differential and transfer case.

During the swap, the front subframe was lowered and the differential was removed. In the process of replacement, the axles were disconnected. The half shaft on the right side passes through the oil pan. It was noted the "seal" between the differential and the right side half shaft was leaking a little bit and got replaced.

[danewilson77]

Great news Billy!!!!

[mikeyb74]

Awesome!

WhiteXI, I did a tranny, diff, and t-case fluid change back in July 2010. I used the OEM fluids from BMW but went with Redline 75w90 for the front and rear diffs. The car has made these noises since I purchased it a year ago.