Hi from a gutted new x5 owner but poss not for long HELP!

[e53]

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 untoward.

Please someone have a listen and tell me its a driveshaft, CV axle or anything other then the AUTO GEARBOX? I am hoping someone might have experienced the same and will recognise the sound - squealing, ticking sound like a bad cv axle on full lock but im going straight ahead. If it is the box I am going to have cut my losses and sell it as I cant afford any major repairs that I cant do myself.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jx0pXmkDJIo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Za954gNnj28

Much appreciated

[X5-D-Sport]

That is a nasty noise indeed....

Without being in the vehicle is is hard to work out what it is... other than horrible...

suggest getting a keen eared passenger... who can roam the vehicle when rolling to try & work out which corner or end it is coming from..

then jack the vehicle a corner at a time to spin the wheels & find the slop or dodgy issue...
must say, ive not heard this sound before...
and feom the recording it could be almost anything...

[e53]

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, because if it is the box then car will have to go. Which is a shame as it drives perfect otherwise and gearbox feels silky smooth. Again, thanks for the suggestions.

[Gegs88]

Get underneath m8 and start pushing and pulling at anything you see, sounding that bad it will be pretty obvious what it is when nyou start moving things in the drive train. Trying to diagnose knocks and bangs can be a nightmare when you are in the car but even harder on youtube.
If you have just bought the car just return it and get your money back.

[e53]

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.

[Steamyrotter]

Where are you??
Someone may be near and be able to cast an ear over it for you??

[themoog]

Might be the he transfer box. That is under the arm rest. I think. It doesn't sound like transmission to me.

[X5-D-Sport]

You could get lucky & it is simply a Universal Joint... but making a noise like that it will need rapid attention to not take a case bearing out also...

Like the guys say.... you're gonna need to get it jacked - (supported safely) all 4 wheels in the air & get under for a wiggle & jiggle of all the moving bits... lets hope it is some thing EXTERNAL to the gear boxes....

Good luck on having an easy fix

[X5-D-Sport]

Re only making a clatter when taking off from a stand-still....
Very often a destroyed UJ will be virtually silent when at speed... as they some how centre them selves & go quiet.

Did this suddenly start to happen ? or gradually got louder ??

[Greydog]

Could it be the front drive shaft I have read that the splines can strip? Could it be as you take up drive it chatters then as the rear pushes and wheel speed equalizes no noise, just a thought.

[e53]

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, main focus will be on transfer box and UJ.

[X5-D-Sport]

Where in the country are you ??

Once you got this issue nailed, you will get soooooo much pleasure from this machine

[e53]

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 underneath in a mo, I will defo post back so that it may aid others.

[Steamyrotter]

[quote="Greydog"]
Could it be the front drive shaft I have read that the splines can strip? Could it be as you take up drive it chatters then as the rear pushes and wheel speed equalizes no noise, just a thought.
[/quote]

When they strip they strip....
You will lose all drive and it sounds like a dodgy hammer drill!!!

Been there done that!

[e53]

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.