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replaced front diff need help

Discuss the problems with your X5 (E53).
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610kev
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replaced front diff need help

Post by 610kev » Thu May 01, 2014 8:07 pm

ok i have 55plate  3.0d manual .we have replaced the front diff because it had exploded  and sounded like a can of marbels . it now feels like the diff is winding up to do the same thing when going over 10mph can anyone help thanks kev

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X5Sport
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Re: replaced front diff need help

Post by X5Sport » Thu May 01, 2014 8:26 pm

What wheel & tyre sizes do you have?  Have any changes been made and is the diff the matching one for the one that failed?

Richard
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610kev
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Re: replaced front diff need help

Post by 610kev » Thu May 01, 2014 8:47 pm

bmw alloys tiger claw i think you call them with 19''s yes diff matches .this is  how the original felt before it cracked open

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Re: replaced front diff need help

Post by X5Sport » Thu May 01, 2014 10:22 pm

OK.

Just thinking out loud here........my thoughts are (for what they are worth):

Diff 'wind up' could be an issue with a driveshaft at the wheel end (failing wheel bearing), CVJ failing so the shaft isn't turning at the correct angles, wrong tyre sizes (would need to be badly out though), transfer box, rear diff and rear transmission parts or misaligned transmission/suspension.  A binding brake might do it but you should notice the heat!  Is everything turning properly?

Any sign of trouble on the X Drive unit itself?  The car can instantly shift the power front to back so if something isn't turning in the way it should and in synch, you could get some kind of winding up.

Other than that, does the front end line up correctly?  No sign of accident damage, buckling or cracks?  Is the tyre wear even on both axles?  Anything unusual?  Does it steer straight when you let go of the wheel on a flat, straight (and empty) road at a reasonable speed - don't endanger yourself though  :)
Last edited by X5Sport on Thu May 01, 2014 10:25 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Greydog
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Re: replaced front diff need help

Post by Greydog » Fri May 02, 2014 7:26 am

You say the diff you have fitted matches the one that failed but is it correct for your car? Have you checked Real OEM to find out what ratio/PN was originally fitted.

One of my sons brought a Nissan Navara and suffered a diff failure turned out the previous owner had had a failure and replaced the diff with one from a breaker same car same year but a petrol model not diesel. Once the correct diff was fitted he has abused it on a regular basis (tree surgeon) with no issues.
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