Maintaining Your BMW G05 X5: Transfer Case Fluid Replacement

***CROSSMEMBER TO BODY TORQUE SPEC: 19NM
Welcome to our channel! In this comprehensive tutorial, I guide you through the process of replacing the transfer case fluid on your 2019-2023 BMW X5. Regular maintenance of your transfer case is crucial for optimal performance and longevity of your vehicle, and we're here to make it easy for you.
In this step-by-step guide, we cover everything you need to know, from gathering the necessary tools and materials to completing the fluid replacement process. Whether you're a seasoned DIY enthusiast or a novice looking to learn more about maintaining your BMW X5, this video is for you.
If you find this video helpful, don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe to our channel for more informative tutorials and automotive content. Thank you for watching, and happy wrenching!
you'll need thin 1/4 hose from the parts store also
Fluid Pump: amzn.to/4bI8Evw
e10 socket: amzn.to/3ynNeVW
h14 socket: amzn.to/3K63QEi
Tcase fluid: www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-transfer-case-fluid-1-liter-shell-83222409710
Tcase Fill plug: www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-differential-drain-plug
Engine Oil: www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-0w20-oil-change-kit-liqui-moly-11428583898-lm
Rear View Mirror: Wolfbox18%off : wolfbox.com/?ref=6qe918ok

[@loxxrider]

Thanks for making these videos about your X5. I followed your advice in this one (specifically the pump with the small hose), and the job was pretty easy. It made the transfer case jerkiness go away almost completely. I'll give it a few hundred miles and then flush again just in case. Also, downloading ISTA has been a game changer for me while tackling an oil pump replacement on my wife's 2019 X5. That's a big job, but surprisingly it's been pretty straightforward so far and very doable without a lift! If you're mechanically inclined that is...

[@jku392adventures]

Thank you for you comment! I'm happy to hear when people find my videos useful! 🙏🙏 And yeah I plan on flushing mine again after about 10k miles, and the diffs are next to being flushed. Then the transmission! Thanks again for watching 🤙🤙🙏🙏

[@ivanlagunes7125]

How many miles on the car when it went out ? Are you 50i or 40i?

[@loxxrider]

@@ivanlagunes7125 40i in my case and it turned out to be the oil level sensor, but I replaced the oil pump anyway for peace of mind. It had about 76k miles on it at the time and the pump internals were actually fine when I tore it down

[@stevepunderwood]

When it splattered all over your floor! I could just imagine the words going through your mind! Great video, bro!

[@jku392adventures]

Hahaha I was pretty unhappy 😂😂 it splattered all over my gimble also 😂

[@jku392adventures]

Thanks bud!

[@d47000]

Thanks for the video! Going to do this soon, troubleshooting a slight driveline shudder when turning at low speeds. 70k and I haven't changed the fluid, so I'm sure this is the cause.

[@jku392adventures]

Thank you! This would definitely be where I would start! It has fixed so many other x5s 🤙🙏

[@jeffdurling100]

Thanks for sharing. It looks like the fluid level is a typical transfer case where you fill until it starts to come out of the drain hole then put the plug in. My 2021 has the slight shudder during some turns and I can also slightly feel it sometimes when accelerating. I wonder if I can get it done under warranty. I will do the transmission fluid and diffs are 50k. The large fluid extractor they have at Harbor Freight works very well for this and oil changes on vehicles without a dipstick. Also, when refilling a transfer case or diff, a simple tube with a hand pump in it that they sell at auto parts stores usually is the easiest to use. Have to do this on periodically my Jeeps.

[@jku392adventures]

Yes the transfer case is that way where you fill it to the drain hole, but you also need to use ISTA while doing this job so the computer can open a chamber that is inside the transfer case. If you do not use ISTA in just a little bit of old fluid will be left in the transfer case which is still better than nothing. Also when using ista it will reset the calibration

[@Youroldpalmoesy]

Can't thank you enough for making this video. I'm at 88k miles on my '21 X5 (what can I say, I love road trips), and while I'm not experiencing any of the herky-jerky symptoms, it's definitely time to change out the driveline fluids. Quick question: I still cannot find a definitive answer on where to safely place a jack on the rear so I can evenly lift the car via jack stands at all four corners. Can anyone recommend where to safely place the jack? The manual does not mention a rear center jacking point that is similar to the front center point. The rear has aluminum cross members extending out from the rear diff that definitely are not load bearing. Any help is appreciated. Thanks, and keep the videos coming.

[@jku392adventures]

Hey I'm glad you found my video useful, and yes I didn't have any of the normal symptoms also but I knew it was time to change anyways. Glad you didn't have symptoms as well! As far as a jacking point in the rear, I have not had to jack up the rear of the X5, but I always use my rear diff in my BMW e92 335i, but I am honestly not positive if this is an approved location for the X5, if you found the answer will you let me know?

[@Erickguitar16]

You just saved me from a Huge headache. My X5 40i 2019. Is slightly shuttering. But it never happens all the time. I will get this done asap. I appreciate you.

[@jku392adventures]

I'm very happy to hear that you found this useful! Definitely not a hard job, but very rewarding! 🙏🤙

[@Erickguitar16]

Update: I just started got everything unmounted. But, the hoes the pump comes with doesnt absord the oil. I think you resolve it by getting a smaller hoes (the black one). 5:32 Can you confirm?

[@jku392adventures]

@@Erickguitar16 yes I was able to attach a smaller hose to it 🤙🤙 and 🙏

[@Erickguitar16]

Final Update: Great news. I was able to successfully replace the transfer case fluid. Feedback: the smallest hose you can get in homedepot is the 1/4. The one that comes with the pump is too big to fit in the Transfer Case chamber to gain access to the fluid. No more shuttering and the car drives noticeably better. You are the best!!!🎉🎉🎉

[@jku392adventures]

@Erickguitar16 I'm glad you got it and I'm glad to hear it's driving better, good job 🤙🤙🤙 yeah the hose is the only issue, but it's not too hard to find another one

[@Ryzn322]

can you do a video on replacing the differential fluids?

[@jku392adventures]

@@Ryzn322 that is on my list of things to do 🤙thanks for your interest 🙏🤙🔥

[@joez800]

nice job. please keep sharing

[@jku392adventures]

Thank you! I just uploaded a new video 🤙 and working on another one soon

[@27ecobeast]

I did mine too！ and also use ISTA to recalibrate the Tcase after fluid change.

[@jku392adventures]

I am going through the process of learning ista so I can do this also. I just got my cable yesterday. I will be updating a video to show how to do this once I learn how 😂😂

[@MrNanah38]

Why do you need to calibrate, shouldn't it be a simple drain and fill?

[@jku392adventures]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/gom5Z3hmZ7p-i6Msi=K5Z1i63SNG2X6j5p

[@sensoyguven]

@@MrNanah38 needs to be re calibrated, I have done mine with Launch and it does some angle things that I dont know but needs to be done as far as I know

[@what8400]

Great video man! I’m in the same boat as you with just under 54k miles, no signs of shuddering yet. I was curious if you felt you needed to re-calibrate the t-case after the job?

[@jku392adventures]

Thank you! From what I have seen, others have done this without recalibration, but then I have heard others say it is necessary to recalibrate. I bought ista+ so I will be recalibrating it soon just because I know it won't hurt to do it. I'll be making a video showing how to do it 🙏🤙

[@hayabusahaizuka8835]

BMW should make drain plug for the transfer case

[@jku392adventures]

That would be amazing if they did, that would make this job so much easier

[@Bg68235]

Hi! Thanks for the great video! Got a question about front jack points. I went to a tire shop and they seemed to jacked up the car on the front axel on their shop lift, literally 2 jack contacts right next to the front lower control arms. I wonder if those were incorrect jackpoints? My 2021 m50i does have the tcase stutter noise which is currently under warranty repair. But there's a new rubbing noise coming from the front left that I suspect may be from this tire shop. Wonder what do you think, thanks!

[@jku392adventures]

There's a spot to jack up the X5 in the center front, and you can use the jack points behind the front wheels or in front of the rear wheels. But I don't think I would jack up on the control arm brackets. You can look under there for damage, or just tell them what the car is doing since you took it to their shop 🙏🙏👍👍 good luck ! 🙏🙏

[@trencher7]

We just got a used 2021 X7 and feel some shuddering when turning right at slow speeds sometimes. Hopefully this will fix that.

[@jku392adventures]

Hopefully it does fix it, a lot of people have had good luck with changing out the transfer case fluid, the next thing you could do is get the x delete app to make it rear wheel drive only

[@trencher7]

@@jku392adventures I did order a Launch scanner that has coding. Would that do it? Or do some just disconnect it from below?

[@jku392adventures]

@trencher7 there's a chance it will do it. Probably not though because its not a common thing unless the scanner was super expensive, and there's no way to open up the chamber from underneath, but a lot of people change the fluid without using software or opening the chamber and it's better than nothing. I have another video where I show the software if you want to check it out

[@ThankHank]

Great video dude. Curious what mileage you’re at with it?

[@jku392adventures]

Thank you! And I'm at 54k miles 🤙🙏

[@sokola311]

You mentioned Bimmer Code at the end there. Is that what you used to reset the transfer case?? I need to reset mine. Thanks.

[@jku392adventures]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/gom5Z3hmZ7p-i6M

[@benp1059]

What size of hose tube you used to extract the fluid out? Which side did you try to stick the hose in down the bottom ? I tried to stick the hose 5/16” and could not get to the bottom of transfer case

[@jku392adventures]

Alot of people were able to use 1/4” hose That's what I ended up using. You can grab this from most autoparts store. I had extra flexible hose around the house

[@highendtrends3508]

Friend what type of scan tool can I use to recalibrate the system? Sorry for the trouble.

[@jku392adventures]

This is how I did it kzbin.info/www/bejne/gom5Z3hmZ7p-i6M

[@highendtrends3508]

@@jku392adventures thank you so much! Sending this video to everyone I know with the GO5!

[@jku392adventures]

Thank you! That seriously helps get my views up and will help others work on their bmws! 🤙🤙🙏🙏💯💯

[@aaaguirre12]

I only get a little jerk feeling when the car is slowing to a stop and then stops. Is this normal with X5? I haven’t experience anything like that before.

[@jku392adventures]

Its very possible that it's your tcase, but more often it happens when you're going slow around tight turns and more noticeable reversing tight turns. But I have heard people say that accelerating in first gear gets smoother with changing the transfer case fluid

[@wilbert3490]

Did u put it in service mode? did u reset the the transfer?

[@jku392adventures]

This time I did not. I was unaware of it, but I will probably do it again in 10k miles or so and do the full service

[@John-yh9wf]

This was my case. 55k and the fluid change did not fix the problem. It was 10k to fix. Thus - great job for doing a replacement. I have a question for you: How do you feel about replacing the transmission fluid? ZF apparently recommends to have the fluid replaced at 60k but BMW wants us to keep it "for lifetime" - which we know it is kind of a BS... Myself - I am considering changing it in a few thousands. What do you all think?

[@jku392adventures]

Sorry to hear your tcase went out! I've heard of people changing the fluid 2 times before it fixed the issue, and others said it was too late 😭. But for the transmission, I do recommend changing it anytime after 60k probably. I will probably change it around 65k. That will give me a year of driving it before I change it myself. (I bought it last month at 54k miles)

[@MFA-Marcelo]

Some people say to change it every 50k miles. I am changing all the fluids in the car. I am at 51k so transfer case, transmission and differentials will get new fluids.

[@jku392adventures]

@MFA-Marcelo yupp I need to change my diff fluid soon also, and the transmission will get done probably after one year of ownership

[@ehtishamahmad6851]

Hey man how r u? I just have a quick question because I have the same x5 and my car mechanic told me your car has problem with transfer case because while you turning the sterling wheel to right or left it vibrates heavily now I was thinking to get change the fluid what do you think is it gonna destroy the transfer case because the mechanic was saying it’s gonna last 6 months probably what do you suggest is you car working fine from Canada thank you please try to reply I’m thinking to replace the fluid H ‘[]h

[@jku392adventures]

I would definitely start with replacing the fluid, Is it under warranty? It's cheap to change the fluid. I would even change it twice if the symptoms didn't get better

[@PhilHodgson-zt3ts]

Hi, did this make a difference?

[@jku392adventures]

Hey Phil, thanks for watching! I would say I wasn't showing any symptoms yet on my X5, but it's such a common thing and its fixed so many others who had the noted symptoms. This is the actual fix that's is done by the bmw dealership.

[@keysersoze8247]

Good vidéo it’s thé dame on m50 diesel ?

[@jku392adventures]

Thank you! I believe it would be very similar, if not identical 🙏🤙

[@AgonxOC]

What happened to the jack holding the transfer case? Did you remove it and let it hang?

[@jku392adventures]

Even when the jack under there, I was still able to lift up on the tail end of the transmission, so there really wasn't that much weight on it. So I just removed the jack. And it barley lowered. I recall this on my other bmws also. I believe the motor mounts are pretty centered so there's not much weight on the rear mount

[@AgonxOC]

@@jku392adventures yeah it didn’t look like it lowered much, but I’d be concerned about over stressing the carrier bearing in the rear prop shaft.

[@jku392adventures]

@@AgonxOC this is true. I looked at the pictures on the tsb, and they didn't have it supported by a jack stand either

[@benp1059]

Do you know how many quarts did you put back in?

[@jku392adventures]

@@benp1059 it was about 0.62 quarts, or 590ml's. And that's without doing the procedure using ista

[@highendtrends3508]

How many miles should you change it for?

[@jku392adventures]

What year bmw do you have? For '19 and '20 I would replace at all mileage. For newer ones, I would probably replace after 50k miles

[@highendtrends3508]

@@jku392adventures 2021 X7 M50i, so I should change it now because it just hit 50k miles.

[@highendtrends3508]

@@jku392adventures I’m going to do it this weekend, I feel a slight shutter when I pick up from a slow speed. Thanks for a great tutorial.

[@highendtrends3508]

How many miles did you have on yours?

[@jku392adventures]

I'm almost at 60k miles now

[@linus7438]

if this doesn't work, try to use Xdelete to disable the damaged transfer case, this can 100% clear issue of transfer case

[@jku392adventures]

@@linus7438 this is true, I have x delete and it definitely makes the car smoother

[@GollyGWillikers]

As soon as you said you need to be precise with what comes out, I knew you would spill… haha Good video bro.

[@jku392adventures]

Hahaha yeah I definitely had a feeling I was going to make a mess 😂😂😂 Thanks bud! 🙏🤙

[@Bimmerlyfe]

Few things wrong in this video, vehicle needs to be level and never let the transfer case hang. Don’t need to reset TC unless internals change or TC change .

[@jku392adventures]

Thank you, I will say that since I didn't have the vehicle level, I made sure to add the same amount of fluid back into the tcase. And also from reading online, there are different cambers in the tcase that will open up when you use ista when doing this job. So that it part of the calibration. Also yeah I probably should have kept the jack under the transmission at least to keep some pressure off the mounts and drivelines

[@tfunkhou88]

It’s definitely a good idea to recalibrate the transfer case clutches when changing the fluid.

[@enjoylife756]

Lol,there is no way that it can cost up 2 8K ;) More like 2K-3k max.

[@jku392adventures]

And I'm guessing you've been quoted 2-3k at a bmw dealership? Or even a tuner shop 2-3? The tcase alone is over 3k

[@enjoylife756]

@@jku392adventures U quessed wrong. I have F31 xdrive, done60 k miles without any symptoms whatsoever. I changed all trans fluids yesterday. Before that i checked trans case job prizes from few shops and i was told that it would take about 2000-3000 including job 🤷

[@jku392adventures]

@@enjoylife756 well I'm glad it's that much cheaper, will you do me a favor and just Google the g05 x5 transfer case replacement costs. That will give you a little more info. Also I have heard from probably 8 or so people that the dealership quoted them 7-8k

[@enjoylife756]

@@jku392adventures I will do that. So maybe there is prize difference between models?

[@jku392adventures]

There is definitely a price difference between the models. My bmw is a 2019 and it's a different tcase for the years 2019-2023. So older cars they are definitely cheaper