'06 330xi driveshaft u joint went and took the oil pan with it...

desolatax · 10-30-2014, 01:03 PM

I was driving home the other day, heard a loud clunk and then clanking noise, immediately pulled over and turned it off to see this.

View post on imgur.com

Yup... That's engine oil. My stomach dropped right to my feet.
I got it towed to a nearby shop, we got up on the hoist, and we find this.

View post on imgur.com

And since it's a 6spd with x-drive, its looking like a 12 hour job to get the shop to do it. Looking on the BMW workshop manuals site,
Necessary preliminary tasks:
• Remove engine splash guard.
• Secure engine in installation position.
• Lower front axle.
• Remove left drive shaft.
• Remove right drive shaft.
• Remove front axle differential.
All of that to replace the oil pan...

I've found a used driveshaft and oil pan that I'm going to pick up, but I was wondering if anyone out there has attempted a job like this on an x-drive in their own garage? I don't have access to a hoist unfortunately. Trying to decide if I should attempt this myself or leave it to my mechanic...

hassmaschine · 10-30-2014, 01:17 PM

I don't see why you couldn't DIY. you should be able to drop the pan with the diff attached, and swap the diff onto your new pan on the ground. it will be harder to do it before I'd think (without a lift)

the hardest part will be securing the motor so you can remove the subframe. The CV shafts should just pull out of the diff, the most annoying part is going to be removing the front suspension so you can pull them. it'll just take time, I'd figure on at least a weekend.

jeguth1s · 10-30-2014, 03:03 PM

I'd take it to the shop. I had mine fail last year but luckily it didn't separate. I also had the oil pan gasket replaced and it was an 8 hr job. I'd have them see if anything else was damaged as well. Good Luck! It's been a very expensive year for me

TheSt|G · 10-30-2014, 03:48 PM

How many miles?

Eagle1oh7 · 10-30-2014, 05:16 PM

Yikes! I'm curious about your mileage!

desolatax · 10-30-2014, 05:48 PM

168,xxx kilometers. BMW replaced the front diff, transmission, clutch, and rear diff to diagnose a clunking that was happening in early 2012 under CPO. I've only put about 30k km on it since that. Doesn't look like they replaced the u joint in the work that was done or saw it as an issue.

I had it in at the stealership for a clinking noise that they couldn't find, and for the last year it hasn't really showed up too often (or I may have not noticed it due to the exhaust delete...), but I think that the u joint was the culprit of that. http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=836234

TheSt|G · 10-31-2014, 07:41 AM

Replace the other one then, and get new ones for both sides. BMW AWD driveshafts are only good for ~160,000 km.

And the aftermarket non-BMW ones are terrible, don't waste your money.

jeguth1s · 10-31-2014, 07:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by desolatax

168,xxx kilometers. BMW replaced the front diff, transmission, clutch, and rear diff to diagnose a clunking that was happening in early 2012 under CPO. I've only put about 30k km on it since that. Doesn't look like they replaced the u joint in the work that was done or saw it as an issue.

I had it in at the stealership for a clinking noise that they couldn't find, and for the last year it hasn't really showed up too often (or I may have not noticed it due to the exhaust delete...), but I think that the u joint was the culprit of that. http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=836234

I would only hear a metallic clunk when I took off or in reverse. Never heard with normal driving. My Indy found it when they replaced the oil pan gasket. I didn't even mention I heard a noise because it happened sporadically. Apparently the bearing housings crack and water/salt gets in there causing the bearings to fail. Not shocked BMW couldn't find it

desolatax · 10-31-2014, 01:14 PM

Any other preventative maintenance that I should consider if I do this whole procedure myself?
The garage I've used a couple times in the past said 12 hours labour for pan+shaft, and one that my dad uses quoted 10. Both are known for doing german vehicles, Labour rate difference is only $2/hr between them.

jeguth1s · 11-03-2014, 07:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by desolatax

Any other preventative maintenance that I should consider if I do this whole procedure myself?
The garage I've used a couple times in the past said 12 hours labour for pan+shaft, and one that my dad uses quoted 10. Both are known for doing german vehicles, Labour rate difference is only $2/hr between them.

I don't think so. My shop charged my 8 hrs to do the oil pan gasket and no labor for the shaft install.

desolatax · 11-06-2014, 01:20 PM

Quick question about towing. I need to get the car about 2km away from where it is back to my house. If I have the driveshaft removed and leave it in neutral, can I just use the tow hook and a truck to slowly move it along to there? It's a completely flat straight shot down the road, or should I just rent a car trailer, pop it on there and tow it over that way?

hassmaschine · 11-06-2014, 01:31 PM

If the front ds is removed tow it with the rear wheels on the ground like a normal rwd car.

10-30-2014, 01:03 PM	#1
desolatax Enlisted Member 9 Rep 46 Posts Drives: '14 328d xdrive Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	'06 330xi driveshaft u joint went and took the oil pan with it... I was driving home the other day, heard a loud clunk and then clanking noise, immediately pulled over and turned it off to see this. View post on imgur.com Yup... That's engine oil. My stomach dropped right to my feet. I got it towed to a nearby shop, we got up on the hoist, and we find this. View post on imgur.com View post on imgur.com And since it's a 6spd with x-drive, its looking like a 12 hour job to get the shop to do it. Looking on the BMW workshop manuals site, Necessary preliminary tasks: • Remove engine splash guard. • Secure engine in installation position. • Lower front axle. • Remove left drive shaft. • Remove right drive shaft. • Remove front axle differential. All of that to replace the oil pan... I've found a used driveshaft and oil pan that I'm going to pick up, but I was wondering if anyone out there has attempted a job like this on an x-drive in their own garage? I don't have access to a hoist unfortunately. Trying to decide if I should attempt this myself or leave it to my mechanic...
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10-30-2014, 01:17 PM	#2
hassmaschine Major General 3973 Rep 7,215 Posts Drives: "NBO" 330i Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: earth iTrader: (0)	I don't see why you couldn't DIY. you should be able to drop the pan with the diff attached, and swap the diff onto your new pan on the ground. it will be harder to do it before I'd think (without a lift) the hardest part will be securing the motor so you can remove the subframe. The CV shafts should just pull out of the diff, the most annoying part is going to be removing the front suspension so you can pull them. it'll just take time, I'd figure on at least a weekend.
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10-30-2014, 03:03 PM	#3
jeguth1s Second Lieutenant 15 Rep 247 Posts Drives: 2006 BMW 330xi Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Cincinnati iTrader: (1)	I'd take it to the shop. I had mine fail last year but luckily it didn't separate. I also had the oil pan gasket replaced and it was an 8 hr job. I'd have them see if anything else was damaged as well. Good Luck! It's been a very expensive year for me __________________ Bilstein+Eibach, UUC F&R sways, Powerflex bushings, PE+Supersprint 2nd cat delete, Euro Intake+Silicone Intake hose, SS Brake Lines
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10-30-2014, 03:48 PM	#4
TheSt\|G Resident Tamed Racing Driver 298 Rep 4,697 Posts Drives: 911, 130is, E39 M5, E36 M3 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Outside Philly iTrader: (2)	How many miles? __________________ 2005 E46 M3 Interlagos/Cinnamon with Sunroof Delete
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10-30-2014, 05:16 PM	#5
Eagle1oh7 Lieutenant Colonel 287 Rep 1,710 Posts Drives: '11 328i Sedan Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Chula Vista CA iTrader: (0)	Yikes! I'm curious about your mileage! __________________ DONE: Seibon CF Hood, M3 Rep, MSport rear w/DD CF Diffuser, M3 Rep Skirts, Seibon CSL trunklid, Forgestar F14 18s w/Michelin PSS, Eisenmann catback, AA Headers, BPC Stage 2, Charcoal Delete+revMotor+AFE Drop In filter FUTURE MODS: LED headlights, CF rooftop, M3 Suspension Conversion, Dinan CAI Mod
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10-30-2014, 05:48 PM	#6
desolatax Enlisted Member 9 Rep 46 Posts Drives: '14 328d xdrive Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	168,xxx kilometers. BMW replaced the front diff, transmission, clutch, and rear diff to diagnose a clunking that was happening in early 2012 under CPO. I've only put about 30k km on it since that. Doesn't look like they replaced the u joint in the work that was done or saw it as an issue. I had it in at the stealership for a clinking noise that they couldn't find, and for the last year it hasn't really showed up too often (or I may have not noticed it due to the exhaust delete...), but I think that the u joint was the culprit of that. http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=836234
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10-31-2014, 07:41 AM	#7
TheSt\|G Resident Tamed Racing Driver 298 Rep 4,697 Posts Drives: 911, 130is, E39 M5, E36 M3 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Outside Philly iTrader: (2)	Replace the other one then, and get new ones for both sides. BMW AWD driveshafts are only good for ~160,000 km. And the aftermarket non-BMW ones are terrible, don't waste your money. __________________ 2005 E46 M3 Interlagos/Cinnamon with Sunroof Delete
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10-31-2014, 01:14 PM	#9
desolatax Enlisted Member 9 Rep 46 Posts Drives: '14 328d xdrive Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	Any other preventative maintenance that I should consider if I do this whole procedure myself? The garage I've used a couple times in the past said 12 hours labour for pan+shaft, and one that my dad uses quoted 10. Both are known for doing german vehicles, Labour rate difference is only $2/hr between them.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-06-2014, 01:20 PM	#11
desolatax Enlisted Member 9 Rep 46 Posts Drives: '14 328d xdrive Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	Quick question about towing. I need to get the car about 2km away from where it is back to my house. If I have the driveshaft removed and leave it in neutral, can I just use the tow hook and a truck to slowly move it along to there? It's a completely flat straight shot down the road, or should I just rent a car trailer, pop it on there and tow it over that way?
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11-06-2014, 01:31 PM	#12
hassmaschine Major General 3973 Rep 7,215 Posts Drives: "NBO" 330i Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: earth iTrader: (0)	If the front ds is removed tow it with the rear wheels on the ground like a normal rwd car.
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