E70 quality enhancement front driveshaft ‘recall’ 2012-2014

[bubbabear]

My propshaft was inpected by bmw battersea and deemed fit for use, 3 months later it snapped ! You pay premium money for a bmw and yet quality is like something from Rover.

[DavetheBlade]

You may have seen a recent post from me about a flapping knocking noise from the rear end, after this mornings events it would appear that my skills of deduction are somewhat flawed.
So depsite assurances from my local BMW dealer and BMW UK (in both November 18 and Jan 19 that my front prop shaft was unaffected by the QE, it let go this morning. Luckily I was crawling up a hill at 25mph, when I heard a massive bang from the front end and associated clunking. Managed to stop immediately, checked under car no oil or other fluids and called recovery.
Got it taken to a BMW specialist 5 mins from home, they had a quick look under and confirmed front prop shaft, they called a couple of hours later saying shaft completly snapped but luckily no other real damage.
They quoted £800 or so (shaft £602 from BMW), so as per Neo I've ordered a shaft from Des Shelley £245 delivered (last one in stock) so looking at £450 or there abouts (thank you Neo).
At the moment I'm thanking my lucky stars I've gotten away lightly, but as soon as I'm mobile again my local BMW dealership will be getting a visit. I intend to plonk my greasy full BMW main dealer service history turd of a no QE required driveshaft (both peices) on the service managers ever so shiny desk and ask what his QE has to say about that f@cker. If the mood takes me I may even break out the Go Pro and film it although where I intend to shove the pieces may incriminate me.

[gchristofi]

At the moment I'm thanking my lucky stars I've gotten away lightly, but as soon as I'm mobile again my local BMW dealership will be getting a visit. I intend to plonk my greasy full BMW main dealer service history turd of a no QE required driveshaft (both peices) on the service managers ever so shiny desk and ask what his QE has to say about that f@cker. If the mood takes me I may even break out the Go Pro and film it although where I intend to shove the pieces may incriminate me.

Please... do film your visit to BMW, or take some photos to share with all of us....

[Chrispy]

Had my prop inspected under this quality thingy in Dec '17 - deemed "ok" although I've no idea what the criteria are that would prompt a replacement beyond the thing literally dropping off in their hands whilst on the ramps.

Recently had a loud repetetive squeaking/ squealing sound coming from under the car at low speed in time with prop shaft rotation (way faster than wheel speed but related to vehicle speed). Independant specialist had the prop off and one of the bearings has failed in the UJ and the thing is quite rusty due to the A/C evap draining onto it. Thing is this is 16 months and 15k miles later so my chances with BMW are non existent but it's still annoying.

Booked in to have a new one fitted on Thursday morning, and keeping driving the thing to a minimum in the meantime. The fact BMW get away with this stuff in the UK is shameful considerting it's a recall in the US.

[Chrispy]

Had the driveshaft replaced today. Only took them circa 20 mins to do it - a real doddle of a job if you can get under the car easily. Car is now silent at low speeds and the repetitive squeaking has gone.

They showed me the old one. Upon visual inspection it looked ok, but in your hands you could work the movement of the UJ's at both ends. One end was fine and smooth in all directions, but the other had real jerky and squeaky resistance when moved - the bearings in it were shot.

Now I've no idea how BMW would inspect one of these and determine if it needed replacement without actually taking it off the vehicle and wiggling the joints, which requires the removal of an undertray etc first. My guess is they don't - it's visual only and therefore utterly meaningless.

[Nat]

I have just had my prop shaft replaced by BMW.
Im April 2013 40d .

I got a recall letter a while ago , but cant remember exactly when as i didn't keep it. Car was due a service so when the car was booked in they inspected the prop and said it didn't need changing.

2 weeks ago I got an email from the service manager at the dealership i use saying if i still have the car please book it in asap as they need to address a BMW recall and they will need it for the day. That seemed to me to be a change from the norm . A bit unusual to get a mail direct from the dealer rather than an official recall letter. Maybe the dealership has decided to get those cars they previously inspected back in an replace the prop anyway. Who knows.

Car went in last Wednesday , and a new prop shaft was fitted . Car given the standard health check and a piece of paper given saying recall/replacement completed .

We have had no issues with the previous prop that we are aware of.

Regards,
Nat.

[Chrispy]

Hmm interesting. It's not a days job at all - when mine was done I think it took them about 30 minutes to get the car on ramps, under tray off, replace and refit. The part was over £600 though, for a short steel prop with a UJ on it.

I do wonder though if they've changed their stance and are now just replacing them rather than inspecting and making a decision. And considering the mess they can make if they fail and flap around at high speed taking the sump and gearbox with them...... That's not optional in my mind - that's recall material to me. And in the US it is enforced as one.

[xted]

Hi all

FIYI...

Took my 09/2010 build 3.0.M Sport( 46k miles) in on Friday to Fairfield Southend. They had ordered the shaft for replacement, but said they had to follow the BMW instructions and that after removing it and examining it found no fault.

Seriously unhappy with this and had a 40 minute call to a senior advisor at BMW customer services, they have said that they DO NOT replace unless there is a specific weakness / failure = they would not articulate exactly what the test is, but said that after speaking to Fairfield they were happy mine had passed the test.

I asked the adviser for an e mail summary of our conversations and my concerns, he promised it and guess what it hasn't arrived. I will be chasing them on Monday.

I've registered my absolute displeasure with this, but else can you do?

[Chrispy]

It's disgraceful - I mean mine was in for 30 mins when it was "assessed" by BMW and I'm betting as part of that they didn't remove the shaft, just took off the undertray and did a visual and went "yep".

When mine failed a year later the independent couldn't tell by looking. They had to take it off and it was clear then that the bearings in the UJ had failed as they were seized and squeaky. Hence the repeated squeaking noise when driving along, about twice the rate of road wheel rotation speed.

So this says to me that the replacement assessment process is utter nonsense and a fraud. All these units will fail as it's a manufacturing fault and all should be replaced as a matter of course. If they do totally fail the damage can be catastrophic as the flailing driveshaft, still attached at one end can rip through gearbox housings and sumps.

[dgm]

Replace it yourself, it’s what I did when they declared mine to be in working order. It’s the only way you’re going to have peace of mind.

[Chrispy]

Did you get a genuine part? That's the bit that cost me - the labour itself was next to nack all but the part (genuine) cost a small fortune.

Not something you could easily do on your back either, need ramps or a pit I'd say but otherwise it's not a complicated job.

[dgm]

Yes, genuine part bought on eBay from a BMW dealer in Atlanta USA. The part and fitting cost about £200 but I don’t know if you’ll get the part as cheap as that now. Have a search on eBay.

[bubbabear]

So if the part breaks after bmw have inspected and given the all clear then surely they are liable. Or do they class it as wear and tear?