Beater BMW X5: Rebuilt transfer case, still clunking! Shop gave up… 🤷🏻‍♂️🤦🏻 (2002 E53 3.0i)

After thousands of dollars in repairs (mostly paid for by the shop), my X5 still isn’t fixed! It still clunks most of the time going into R and sometimes into D.
I plan to keep driving it and having fun with it, and then if the symptoms change I’ll get it checked out again. Will keep you guys posted!

[@revive_moto]

Hey James! I had the same issue and it turned out the gears in my transfer case had been stripped which caused clunking sounds. I purchased a new transfer case gear off Amazon and rebuilt the transfer case motor. Look up videos on E83 transfer case gear. The X5 has the exact same transfer case gear issue. I would bet that’s your culprit as these vehicles are known for stripping through those plastic gears which cause heavy clanking sounds.

[@vdubandy]

Thanks for the update, good luck. 😉

[@voodoocars2134]

Mine had a clunk when going from drive to reverse. When I had the tyres replaced as they were worn the noise went away.. Could be different rotation diameter of front to rear tyres if you have staggered wheels on.

[@antoniogarcia4905]

I also got a diagnosis for that from my local foreign car shop the tires not being the correct size and all WILL make your transmission act up because the computer is getting different information from all tires

[@davidoleary8904]

I’m chasing the same noise in my 06x5 I’ve done a whole front end overhaul, I can’t find it!!! I’m starting to look at the Rack and Pinion it has to be I know if it’s been a while an previous owners didn’t put the right ATF in the power steering then the rack can make noise,I just never heard the noise in any other person’s car or this for that matter!!! What does a bad Rack sound like

[@gregorystefanek5604]

Ever figure it out?

[@abbasa7860]

Anything new?

[@maeng97]

What was the name of the BMW indy that you went to?

[@JamesPlaysWithCars]

Hey Michael, email me directly and I'd be happy to let you know! My email is in the About page of my channel. Just don't wanna put the shop on blast here for not fixing the issue yet :)

[@maeng97]

@@JamesPlaysWithCars Oops. I don’t see your email address!

[@JamesPlaysWithCars]

@@maeng97 jamesqdo at Gmail!

[@zizouaar0105]

Can you make a video of it?

[@JamesPlaysWithCars]

Good idea. I'll give that a try!

[@rokodrazic2270]

Driveshaft joint

[@rogerperez4635]

I think i found the problem is a bmw

[@mr.watcher4747]

Its your battery, bolt it down you lazy boy! 🤪

[@JayLui-m9z]

The battery can cause that?

[@JayLui-m9z]

The battery can cause that?

[@MrFuckhed]

they were so stuck on that transfer case as the problem. control arms and bushings are ok? i replaced the intake camshaft position sensor yesterday and went for a ride the car stalled and didnt want to start after it died and ended up putting the old one in and ran normal afterwards. really hope you figure out whats up. field as much info from online as you can you might find someone w same issue and solution