[UltraRacer13]

Like the title says- I am interested in changing my transfer case fluid. Has anyone done this? Is it even necessary??

[fdriller9]

Interested as well.

[Babydragon]

It is necessary. Not sure what the interval is, check your owners manual.
Also check the DIY section on the forum, you may find the directions there or go and get a service manual, I think chiltons makes them.
GL

[JBLOY]

Yes, I just finished this on a 2009 328 i xdrive at 50,000 miles. I bought a regular 14mm "L" shaped allen key, cut a 1.25 inch piece off the short end and merely inserted the stub 14mm allen into the plugs. I then turned the allen with open/closed wrench to remove and reinsert. To fill, I used a section of flexible tubing and a large bulb type baster.

I refilled with the BMW fluid.

Hope this helps.

[Lenaxia]

Hmm, good to know. Thanks. I need to do that in a weekend or two.

I'll post a DIY if no one else has.

[nomile]

Lenaxia, Have you done this yet? Is there any way to get the fill-plug out without pulling major parts off the car? Seems like there is a bunch of stuff in the way. I will crawl back underneath and take another look, but the fill plug seems very hard to get to.

[nomile]

Originally Posted by JBLOY

I bought a regular 14mm "L" shaped allen key, cut a 1.25 inch piece off the short end and merely inserted the stub 14mm allen into the plugs. I then turned the allen with open/closed wrench to remove and reinsert.

Now that I looked at it again, I see what you did. That is a very tight area - clever use of the stub and open wrench... May have to try that tomorrow.

[Lenaxia]

Sorry not yet. Hopefully this weekend. I've been super busy.

[bhmax16]

Bit of an old thread but I changed it as well and yes it's a tight area. At first glance it looks like you need to remove the mount to get the fill plug out but if you can manage to get a hex socket on there you can turn it with an open-end wrench and get the fill plug out. That is how I did it and it worked perfectly

[stratplaya06]

I bought a set of hex-end sockets at harbor freight, knocked the hex insert out with my air hammer, and used that in the plug. I then took a wrench and turned it and it worked perfectly. I was having binding around low speed corners, and the oil was clearly past its prime. The noises are totally gone now and the car feels great. Lifetime fluid my ass.

[UltraRacer13]

did anyone take pics they can post- of the tool as well? thx.

[stratplaya06]

You need:
Transfer pump to put new oil in
14mm open end wrench
14mm allen key cut into a 1.25" section which can be inserted into the plugs and turned with the wrench.

I wasn't able to find a cheap 14mm wrench, so I bought sockets with hex ends on the end and used the air hammer to remove the segment. Same resultant piece of 14mm hex bar, just a different way of getting it.

[mpsalerno86]

I have tried to access the transfer case fill-plug, but it seems quite difficult. What do you think about removing the transmission support bracket to better access the fill-plug on the transfer case or is this unnecessary?

[e90n52b30]

Originally Posted by stratplaya06

I bought a set of hex-end sockets at harbor freight, knocked the hex insert out with my air hammer, and used that in the plug. I then took a wrench and turned it and it worked perfectly. I was having binding around low speed corners, and the oil was clearly past its prime. The noises are totally gone now and the car feels great. Lifetime fluid my ass.

How many miles?

[merchomini]

also interested in how many miles on the clock before this needs doing

[freon480]

Originally Posted by SalernoFamily

I have tried to access the transfer case fill-plug, but it seems quite difficult. What do you think about removing the transmission support bracket to better access the fill-plug on the transfer case or is this unnecessary?

dont see how you could do it with out removing it.

[stratplaya06]

With my instructions, you can get the plug out without removing the cross member. The only time I had to do the cross member was when I replaced the mechatronics sealing sleeve in the trans, as there's much less room than on the RWD car.

EDIT: use this set http://www.harborfreight.com/9-piece...7880-html.html and punch out the 14mm stud, which you will turn with an open end wrench. It's very doable.

[jimk]

In the older xDrives of X3s, X5s and E46 xi you had to reset the xDrive via coding once you change the fluid, to let the system know that there's new fluid in there as the system adjust some xdrive components based on the age of the fluid. Is that necessary on our E90s?

[ccraig13]

I just got an email from ECS about their kit for doing this http://www.ecstuning.com/News/BMW_XDriveTransferCase_ServiceKit/

[Yvette]

anyone have DIY for this? this could be my summer diy job.

[335xi Kevo]

I got the oils on order, I WILL make a complete DIY when I do the entire drive train. Front, transfer case, rear, 6mt. Expect it next week depending on ECS.

[UltraRacer13]

Originally Posted by 335xi Kevo

I got the oils on order, I WILL make a complete DIY when I do the entire drive train. Front, transfer case, rear, 6mt. Expect it next week depending on ECS.

sweet! thanks. Very much looking forward to this!