lol you guys were spot on, it was the centre bearing - it was actually cracked rather than the rubber deteriorating, no noise now PHEW! Thanks again guys for all the replies and pointers. Now onto the oil leak, which oddly only leaks when dipstick showing above halfway - had a good look on the ramp ...

Hi, I know its been a while, this has been on the back burner - got it on a lift today and the centre bearing is completely shot, hopefully, that is the reason for all the knocking. Just thought I would update the thread to help others, instead of leeching and running lol. I will update if it turns ...

@X5sport - thanks for that, very helpful - back to plan B and get it on a lift.

Removed the fuse and took it for a drive - no difference.

Thanks Horizon your a gem. "Until you get it sorted, Remove fuse no 46 (transfer box/xdrive). Its better to drive with systems off than driving with systems on but no shaft." - credit to kkx5 Found this also - "On an X Drive e53 you can pull fuse #46 and it will disengage the front drive making it a ...

Have not forgotten to update the thread, still not had a chance to get it down garage on lift. Have been doing my own troubleshooting as best I can. Does anyone know how to disconnect the transfer box and put it into 2wd mode (rear), is it just a case of pulling the plug from the transfer box or is ...

Hi both, Thanks for taking the time to have another think, lol @ torch the thing, got me cracking up, that... Good idea on the handbrake thing (shot in the dark but worth eliminating) as my handbrake hardly works, going to try that. Centre bearing also sounds feasible so thanks for the pointers guys ...

Hi, Still a mystery im afraid. Been looking at transfer cases, diffs etc to get an understanding of potential causes - I am hoping its an UJ/axle. I have been underneath and prodded and pulled, cant see anything obvious. Had a mate listen and he seems to think its coming from the rear, past the ...

Cheers for that, I can rule that out at least - some people in the states weld a spline on the end of the shaft. Didn't get a chance to get underneath.

Hi, Im in the midlands, 30 miles from Cov, edge of Leicester :-) Im pretty handy with a spanner and do my own work so not afriad to get my hands dirty but there are some things that you need a lift for and im getting too old to be stuck under a car for hours lol Drizzling but im going to get ...

You guys have been great, thanks for all the responses and pointers, it sounds exactly as when a cv joint goes when on full lock (minus the squealing). Its been there from the start, only had the car a day, going to get underneath soon as I get home - its parked up at the moment i.e. not using it ...

Cheers for the reply - yes your right its all guesswork, I will get underneath with a prybar and start playing around, if not I will attach a camera and try to record. I am fearing the worst.

Thanks for the reply and suggestions, its coming from directly beneath the armrest, the transmission tunnel. Just hunting the net for possibilities, hoping its a bad centre bearing but that would mean it would do it all the time not just on take of - I am really hoping its anything but the box ...

Hi all, I am totally gutted on what is otherwise an amazing motor, literally just got my auto 2004 E53 X5, 3.0 petrol. Its making a terrible sound when taking off from a standstill (steering straight), once rolling its silent and gears change as they should, in fact very smooth, no jolts or anything ...

Looks nice in black, just need some side steps if thats your thing.