Propshaft died

[DIY-PETE]

Sitting waiting for recovery, front propshaft sheared on the UV. Lucky I had just pulled through a set of lights when it went. Think I have a recent recall letter on my message wall for this but if it’s not the prop maybe the drive shaft.
On positive note at least it wasn’t an hour earlier on the motorway, that would have ended in tears and change in underwear.

[X5Sport]

There was a recall issued for front propshaft on E70 & E71 back in 2011. Some have failed after being checked by BMW and found OK. Issue is caused by corrosion on the coupling resulting in a partial seizure and failure. If I remember correctly it was the positioning of a drain above the UJ that was the root cause. If it goes at speed - and some have - it tends to smash the bottom of the engine resulting in very expensive repairs. Mine was done at the time and the car only had about 12k on it but it was failing. BMW have had to pay out for new engines on some cars.

At least yours happened at low speed.

Anyone buying a used E70/71 from 2010/2011 should check whether the recall has been carried out, and even if it has the poor detection rate I think warrants a recheck. The test was simply to check for play by hand (!) and very arbitrary rather than against specific measurements. There have been too many failures after recall checking.

[sapphireblack]

These sorts of failures are pretty troubling on a pedigree vehicle from a prestige brand.

Lets hope BMW not only pick up the bill but lend you something nice while its sorted.

[DIY-PETE]

Well they still have the car, kind enough to send me a service appraisal which by the way I didn't ask for. Apparently 5.5 mm of tread on rear tyres is an amber warning on their traffic light system.
However they also point out I have a worn front bottom ball joint, strangely enough can't find much information on these, and with car still with them I don't know whether these are similar to the E53 ones.
I have looked on realom and find this is not clear as a part/number or is it they are just listing a complete control arm complete with bushings/balljoints?
Wise words anyone?

Cheers

[Leslie]

Its a complete control arm with balljoint in it , replaced two on my e70 last year about 500 a side fitted from bmw I recall I was quoted I paid 180 the pair for lemforder ones (oe)

[X5Sport]

If it’s anything like my X6 then the suspension arms are cast aluminium and I think are only available as complete items, though the mounting bushes are available separately. Two arms at the bottom and one at the top. Each ‘arm’ is available separately though, but not cheap.....well it’s a BMW so that goes without saying! There are Lemforder (or similar) after market options available on Carparts4less (ECP on line only) and cheaper.

[DIY-PETE]

Article number: 273C0665
Fitting Position:
Front Axle, Right, Lower
Steering arm type:
Control Arm
RIDEX:
Track Control Arm
Item number:
273C0665
Our price:
48,44 £
Manufacturer part number:
273C0665
Manufacturer:
RIDEX
EAN number:
4059191442249
Condition
New
Is this the one people, is doesn't look like aluminium more like cast steel, but then a X6 is posher than a X5
cheers.

[DIY-PETE]

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[DIY-PETE]

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[Leslie]

New
Is this the one people, is doesn't look like aluminium more like cast steel, but then a X6 is posher than a X5
cheers.

Think it is steel for track control arm, certainly felt to heavy for aluminium , x6 will be the same as its just an x5 in a frock Id say though you buy cheap and well you often buy twice as that's too cheap (imo)

[X5Sport]

Perhaps it is steel. Mine might be painted with an aluminium anti-corrosion paint, unless it’s made of a tarty stainless? There’s no rust on any of them hence me thinking they’re all Alu. Can’t see BMW spending an extra cent on stainless though. The X6 is still an X5, just with less headroom in the back and a wider arse!

[Leslie]

The track control arms are usually black and are hard to see unless car was on a lift and are a much heavier construction than the others ,upper wishbone is alloy and quite light duty as it doesn't have as much work to do
Talking of corrosion my rear subframe needs cleaned and painted before it is scrap , corrosion is quite heavy now and I'm not talking surface rust either ,was shocked at the state of it The salt is eating the hell out of it.

[X5Sport]

I use a Karcher underbody washer to try and keep the salt under control as soon as they stop chucking it on the roads. Can’t find it listed anywhere at present. Might be stock issues due to COVID affecting production etc.

[DIY-PETE]

Well I’ve taken a punt and ordered what is described as lower wishbone on realOEM for both sides. I’m guessing hopefully that should see me through problem after market parts are a minefield to negotiate through as someone has always had a problem no matter what you choose.
I have gone down the febi bolstering route could of got them a lot cheaper and hopefully they will arrive not long after I retrieve my car (by the way, just on the 108K now)
Cheers

[DIY-PETE]

Bloody text gets altered, febi- bilstein