E60 BMW Issues: X-drive Diagnosis and Fix (Full Transfer Case Replacement)

Thank you for watching FunAhead TV!
In today’s video, I discuss the issue I’ve been having with my BMW E60 (E61) 530xi. I then walk through the process of remedying the problem, which ended up requiring a full transfer case replacement.
If you find this video helpful, or, at the very least, entertaining then please give it a LIKE!
Thank you,
David

[@brettb5257]

Well done sir! About to do this job on my 2008 328xi ... you make it much less intimidating. All the best.

[@FunAhead_TV_Official]

Thanks Brett, glad I was able to ease some anxiety! But yea, it’s not a bad job to do at all.. just make sure to support the powertrain well. Just nuts and bolts.

[@Freddy_Ventura]

4 new tires, new oil for the transfer box and reset the transfer box if your model allows that. That’s how I solved my 640d judder.

[@FunAhead_TV_Official]

Lucky you! Unfortunately, my transfer case was truly toasted internally.

[@Weldeddiff]

Bro I love your videos ,I’m a bmw and Porsche enthusiast/DIYer as well 👌 keep it up man 👍

[@FunAhead_TV_Official]

Thanks man, that means a lot!

[@federicotorresbordils7624]

I think that VTG ended with those dtcs due to a lack of maintenance unfortunately. BimmerN53

[@moshmaron4745]

These transfer cases tend to go bad because of uneven tire wear or a staggered tire setup. The circumference has to be nearly identical across all four tires or the X-Drive system will judder, have problems, explode transfer case, etc. luckily mine didn't break itself when I put another mismatched tire on the back but it felt noticeably wrong. Do you think the process is the same for the manual transmission? Mine is manual. Nice car!

[@moshmaron4745]

Btw my car is driving alright, I don't think there's any issue with my transfer case. But my clutch or something related to the system feels kind of clunky in first and second. I'm thinking it's just motor mounts and transmission mounts mainly, possibly center mounts/guibos. Not sure yet. The car has just over 200,000 miles so I imagine the clutch is probably nearing end of life. When pressing the clutch pedal it's definitely pretty squeaky also.

[@dardankaracica3130]

Get an x delete app and turn it to rear wheel drive until it snows out side mine has 325k miles on it

[@FunAhead_TV_Official]

Do you mean as as way to preserve a known good transfer case?

[@a.b.2178]

Any idea how this compares to an e90? Seems like a very similar job, but trying to see if I should expect any specific surprises.

[@FunAhead_TV_Official]

I can’t say for sure, but, I agree, I think it’d be a very similar job.

[@codyandcars]

Got me curious now, I just won an 06 530xi sport wagon in an auction. I haven’t gotten it yet but the seller posted pictures of the car and its 4x4 light is illuminated, he posted pictures of the codes and it shows these as the codes present: 005EBA - dynamic stability control, LWB (steering angle sensor) plausibility 0054C6 - VTG: oil wear 0055C3 - VTG: AWD limp home control activated, no DSC specified normal torque 0055D0 - message (steering angle sensor) error; receiver VTG, transmitter DSC/SZL I put all of that to ask this question, as I feel you might know of an answer. Would the steering angle sensor cause all of those faults to pop up? Or could be the steering angle sensor coupled with an issue in the transfer case? Or could be any number of things?

[@FunAhead_TV_Official]

Congratulations on the Bimmer! So, yes, that’s possible that it’s the steering angle sensor, but it’s more likely that the battery was reset, which causes the 4x4 light and steering angle related codes until the steering angle sensor is relearned after the batt reset (turning the wheel all the way left, then right). However, and BMW guys please correct me if I’m wrong, the VTG oil wear and VTG limp home mode codes are usually set after a failure within the transfer case. Likely those are your “gotchyas.” My guess, it needs a transfer case :/

[@codyandcars]

@@FunAhead_TV_Official that’s kind of what my thought is, I mean if it needs to be done it needs to be done. I mean I knew it had issues, and I’m glad I knew. I pulled the carfax and can see several of the maintenance things done and I feel like I mostly lucked out. Outside of the potential transfer case issue 😅

[@FunAhead_TV_Official]

Hopefully you ended up with a solid car!! Those are issues that should be fairly straight forward fixes though. Good luck with it! Let me know what ends up being the culprit.

[@codyandcars]

@@FunAhead_TV_Official I definitely will, the car overall appears solid and it runs and drives still. So we shall see what happens!

[@Nasgetbandss]

So my brother changed my transfer case and it’s still throwing a code and won’t let him clear it he said it’s the module we are going to put it in one of these days but I’m not sure if it’s just the module any knowledge that can help me is deeply appreciated

[@FunAhead_TV_Official]

Are you sure the new transfer case is good? Most are “refurbished” and it’s possible a new one could still be faulty. If you’re sure it’s a good transfer care, try executing the learning procedure. It should be able to fully complete the learn, otherwise something is up with the transfer case. Good luck with it!

[@rramirez2859]

Hey great video! Did you have to code it back in?

[@FunAhead_TV_Official]

Thank you! Yes, you do. The main thing you need to do is re-learn the limits of the servo motor, which requires a BMW compatible scan tool that can run function tests.

[@eliasbergman6102]

Hey, good video. i have the same codes on my bmw. And when i give like half throttle and up, the car starts to hesitate. Do you think it's the transfer case?

[@FunAhead_TV_Official]

If by hesitation then you mean an intermittent jerking feeling under acceleration, then yes. Unfortunately, it’s likely the transfer case.

[@salsciuto5081]

Torque specs of transfer to trans?

[@hughneutron5303]

the cheapest bmw scan tool you can own is a 20 dollar kdan cable and a copy of ista that you get from open waters *wink wink*

[@FunAhead_TV_Official]

Haha makes sense.. also, can’t believe THE Hugh Neutron just commented on one of MY videos… this is big!

[@hughneutron5303]

if only i could get my son to stop hanging out with carl. it was cute when he would hit on my ol' lady as a kid. it's just creepy now! @@FunAhead_TV_Official

[@FunAhead_TV_Official]

Hahahaha

[@dawiskid187]

Great info here love these wagons..

[@FunAhead_TV_Official]

Thanks! Much appreciated