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BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum > E90 / E92 / E93 3-series Technical Forums > All-Wheel-Drive (Xi / xDrive) Talk > Anyone DIY Change their transfer case fluid



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      02-22-2012, 06:48 PM   #23
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I already tackled the front and rear diffs. Rear is like a 2 of 10 for difficulty, being a 2 because you need a transfer pump to get the fluid into the fill hole.

The front diff is about a 3.5 of 10 because of the location and the angle of the fill hole.

I have yet to get around to the transfer case yet but I hope its as simple.
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      02-22-2012, 08:28 PM   #24
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I have 49k Mi on the car AFAIK none of them have been changed. I have done about 7 track days in the last 2 years, so I figure they need done. Suggestions on fluid?
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      03-02-2012, 08:12 AM   #25
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Just to echo what some have said:
- replacing fluids is likely a good idea if you plan to keep the car for a while. I did diffs & Mtransmission at 70k, xfer case at 85k
- Using an open wrench and piece of 14mm allen-key (from socket or other) allows you to remove the fill plug without removing the crossmember. Just have to move the plug a bit, flip over the wrench, move some more. Repeat. You only get 10-20degrees of movement each time, but still very easy.
- Will need a transfer pump. I used a cheap screw-in pump like you would have on ketchup/soap. Harbor Freight sells something that fits the bill. The big syringe suction pump would also work well
- Use the BMW fluid unless you feel like experimenting with an expensive piece of hardware.
- I had to reset my xfer case control using BT cable. Initially I didn't, but after I drove about 1 mile, the dash lit up like a christmas tree with warning lights, I felt the transfer case clutch open up (subtle jerk under acceleration), and my heart did a backflip. Turned around, reset, no problems since. I think that there is a method of measuring (electrochemically) the state of the fluid, and that this has to be reset, but not certain.

All in all, this job is not much harder than the rear diff, but smaller motion required, and need to reset. Using PITS200 scale, I'd say a 2.5/10

I thought the front diff was a bigger PITA b/c of the plate that covers the diff. I guess I never tried to do the front diff without removing the plate... is that possible?
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      03-05-2012, 12:11 PM   #26
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What kind of cable did you use to reset the xdrive ?
Could you detail what we have to do ?
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      03-05-2012, 11:55 PM   #27
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I used a Bavarian Technic cable - my understanding is that the coding cables can do the same, but I have not had a chance to delve into that yet. So for now, I can only comment on:
- Bav Technic cable
- dealer (though they would likely charge you ~$120 for hour of "service"

I wonder if there is a hidden menu way to reset these types of items.

I need to do my wife's car soon, and will try to photo/video/document the whole thing.
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      03-06-2012, 07:51 PM   #28
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This kind of thread is why I keep coming back to this forum. Thanks to all for your posts. You guys rock.
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      03-08-2012, 06:45 AM   #29
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Thanks !
I am interested in having such details.
I will look also how it could be done with kcan cable.
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      03-11-2012, 03:48 PM   #30
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so we need front and back diff flush, auto trans flush, transfer case flush....what else is needed? I'm almost at 50k (6.5 years) and want to keep the car till the wheels fall off
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      03-11-2012, 06:29 PM   #31
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I did this last week. Cutting off the L hex wrench worked great. I bought one off eBay delivered for $6. Changed the fluid at 106k and it was dark. The tranny fluid was dark also. The diff fluid still looked new.
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      04-01-2012, 10:28 PM   #32
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 335xi Kevo View Post
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.
I'm planning to do a refresh on all of the fluids in my 08 335xi soon as well. What fluids did you end up purchasing for each of the drive train components and what quantity?

Is this the route you ended up going?
Front and rear diff: Red Line Synthetic Differential Fluid - 75W90 - 3 Quarts
Trans Case: ECS XDrive Transfer Case Service Kit
Manual Trans: MTF-LT3? Redline D6 ATF?

Thanks
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      04-11-2012, 06:12 PM   #33
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more info

Capacity 0.52 Ltr (0.55 US QTs)

BMW part # 83 22 0 397 244



Torque specs: Drain/Fill plug
60 Nm (44 ft Lbs)
Attached Images
  
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      04-12-2012, 08:25 AM   #34
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nomile View Post
I used a Bavarian Technic cable - my understanding is that the coding cables can do the same, but I have not had a chance to delve into that yet. So for now, I can only comment on:
- Bav Technic cable
- dealer (though they would likely charge you ~$120 for hour of "service"

I wonder if there is a hidden menu way to reset these types of items.

I need to do my wife's car soon, and will try to photo/video/document the whole thing.
What did you reset? What was it called? Was it an adaptaption? I'm assuming you went into the transmission module to reset it ?
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      04-29-2012, 04:48 PM   #35
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How do you access the front differential plug? It seems as though you would have to remove the center stiffening plate. Once removed is the plug accessible? Does anyone have any pictures of this?

I threw my car up on the lift and located all of the plugs on each of the other drive train components. Also doubled checked what transmission fluid i need (MTF-LT-3 according to the sticker). Would I be okay using a 75W90 GEAR OIL such as Redline's for my front and rear diffs? I would get the BMW fluid but i cant get it from the dealer.

Thanks
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      05-02-2012, 11:34 AM   #36
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TonyPolo View Post
How do you access the front differential plug? It seems as though you would have to remove the center stiffening plate. Once removed is the plug accessible? Does anyone have any pictures of this?

I threw my car up on the lift and located all of the plugs on each of the other drive train components. Also doubled checked what transmission fluid i need (MTF-LT-3 according to the sticker). Would I be okay using a 75W90 GEAR OIL such as Redline's for my front and rear diffs? I would get the BMW fluid but i cant get it from the dealer.

Thanks
I just did mine this past weekend. Yes the stiffening plate has to be removed and the drain and fill bolts will be easily visible. 14mm hex i believe. I used 75w90 in mine - most others do.
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      06-02-2012, 11:34 PM   #37
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whats the stiffening plate? the plastic undercover?


would a regular 14mm (L shape) hex key work? or is it too wide
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      06-09-2012, 09:43 PM   #38
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Alpineweiss e90 View Post
What did you reset? What was it called? Was it an adaptaption? I'm assuming you went into the transmission module to reset it ?
Haven't been back to this page in a while - sorry.

In the BavTech tool there is a section on "transfer case" (not transmission module). I tried a few things, but there was a cryptic item named "OH" somethingoranother. Just reset everything in that section... not too much help - sorry.
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      06-09-2012, 09:46 PM   #39
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ska325xi View Post
whats the stiffening plate? the plastic undercover?


would a regular 14mm (L shape) hex key work? or is it too wide
The thing I pulled off is a big metal plate that ...

hang on...

Number 6 in the image http://realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?...40&hg=31&fg=05

Oh, and L-shaped key is too wide.


Don't drive the car w/o this plate installed, according to Bentley
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      09-03-2012, 11:31 AM   #40
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New DIY with images

In the DIY section.
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      11-30-2013, 06:37 AM   #41
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My local mechanic lent me the following tools to change transfer case fluid. Like this thread said, the 14mm hex stubby, but the long and slim 12 pt snap on wrench made this change a breeze.



Did trans and rear diff at the same time, and want to bundle some other stuff with removing the stiffening plate to get to the front diff. Does anyone know a part number for the 6 bolts that connects the metal plate to the chassis? If the procedure is anything like on a E46 or Z4 they are single use aluminum bolts that stretch upon torquing, so I would like to replace them.

Edit: BTW, I have a 06/2006 build date, with no reset needed on the transfer case.

Last edited by pizza_party; 11-30-2013 at 06:50 AM..
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      12-02-2013, 01:10 PM   #42
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pizza_party View Post
My local mechanic lent me the following tools to change transfer case fluid. Like this thread said, the 14mm hex stubby, but the long and slim 12 pt snap on wrench made this change a breeze.



Did trans and rear diff at the same time, and want to bundle some other stuff with removing the stiffening plate to get to the front diff. Does anyone know a part number for the 6 bolts that connects the metal plate to the chassis? If the procedure is anything like on a E46 or Z4 they are single use aluminum bolts that stretch upon torquing, so I would like to replace them.

Edit: BTW, I have a 06/2006 build date, with no reset needed on the transfer case.
I believe the correct P/n is 33326768354. They are not aluminum
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      12-03-2013, 06:24 AM   #43
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Few weeks ago I did front and rear diffs and transfer case. Mileage was 75k. Transfer case fluid was pretty clean. I looked around a lot and there does not appear to be any reliable replacement for the expensive BMW fluid. I went with Mobil 1 75-90 front and rear diff;s.

Mine is e90 and I did not reset anything and haven't gotten any warning lights. It's been 1k miles so far.

It's not a difficult job but it is messy and a PITA any time you have use a transfer pump I wouldn't have done it without my friends shop lift.
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      01-17-2014, 03:25 PM   #44
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 335xi Kevo View Post
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.
Did he ever make the diy?
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