E70 quality enhancement front driveshaft ‘recall’ 2012-2014

[X5Sport]

What used to be Elms seems to have gone downhill since the renaming then!

[gchristofi]

[quote="X5Sport"]
What used to be Elms seems to have gone downhill since the renaming then!
[/quote]

Can't write them off just yet based on initial lack of diligence.  Let's see how I get on talking to them further tomorrow..  I'm sure there's an element of basic training from HQ to never acknowledge the existence of such issues!

[gchristofi]

To add a few images....

here's the part number i didn't want to see...


dated 2010 and i suspect that white marking is indication that QE was carried out in 2014


This is a view looking up towards the UJ on rear of front prop connected to transfer box.  The aircon drain is visible just about to drip on the joint!  :blink:


Nothing too drastic on first appearances but this document https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/e70- ... MxH37  is clear there should be no movement in that UJ.....BUT (click image to watch video)

https://flic.kr/p/NZXKHD

E70 lci propshaft by gchristofi, on Flickr

Certainly don't want to drive anywhere with that!!

[gchristofi]

Followed up with a phone conversation with Barons (Elms) service manager.  Very helpful and they've agreed to inspect the shaft (this time) for free and if necessary put it to BMW UK for a goodwill replacement.  I can't see BMW UK refusing the request as we've seen the scope of goodwill they're putting towards damage caused by shafts failing catastrophically.  I'll update here once I know the outcome.

[4by4]

This is part of a reply from BMW GB:

I understand that BMW America might have recalled this part, which they’re entitled to do – each market area can make decisions on any issues they feel affect their customers. But BMW worldwide hasn’t found a widespread issue with this part, and neither have BMW UK.

Seems to be more widespread than they are letting on.

I also think that BMW drivers on the other side of the pond are more likely to sue for large sums given half a chance and BMW obviously think that we are unlikely to sue, given that they don't seem to care as much about it over here.

Some stats would be interesting.

[X5Sport]

It all depends upon how they define ‘widespread’.  If it’s referring to actual numbers, it may be less than a few thousand out of several hundred thousand cars.  Not enough to call widespread they could say.

If however they looked at how many countries then that might give a different view.

Within the EU this is a QE because the rules are so slack - see how VAG got away with Dieselgate - because the motor industry has serious political power

In the US their rules are much much tougher so it’s a recall, as it is in several other countries.

I picked the issue up from a Hong Kong recall - not a QE out there either.

Elms in Bedford - now Baron’s - changed mine right back when this first came to light in 2011 and I have just had an Indy BMW specialist who serviced the car double check it again.

[gchristofi]

Followed up with a phone conversation with Barons (Elms) service manager.  Very helpful and they've agreed to inspect the shaft (this time) for free and if necessary put it to BMW UK for a goodwill replacement.  I can't see BMW UK refusing the request as we've seen the scope of goodwill they're putting towards damage caused by shafts failing catastrophically.  I'll update here once I know the outcome.

Just got the follow up call from Barons to say their master tech has inspected the prop and all is OK. Must admit I'm more than a little surprised by this. I'm no BMW master tech so hard to argue with them. Anyone watched my video link and think that the prop on my car is OK?? Referring back to the TIS article on checking the prop, one step (Test B) is as follows...


Test step B:
Turn propeller shaft 90 degrees
Fasten input flange (1) on the front axle differential and check the side clearance (see direction of arrow) on universal joint connection (2).
Do a total of 4 times (the propeller shaft is turned 360 degrees).

→ The joint should not exhibit any play!
→ Joint exhibits play: Replace propeller shaft!

Clearly there is play in my prop UJ so I'm confused as to how Barons have given my prop full bill of health? To be fair, I didn't "Fasten input flange" although I can't see how limiting radial movement can affect the lateral slop in my prop.

Only other thing I can think is that my test is done with wheels jacked off ground, although I would only expect this to add more play / length to prop on cars with live axles like old landrovers.

I remain confused. Can anyone offer any opinions? I've agreed to go collect the car tomorrow and to take with me a video of the play in prop but pretty sure I've hit a dead end with BMW. If so, I don't think I can drive with the old part and still sleep at night! (Glad I have still got my trusty E53 to travel around in )

[dgm]

When they didn’t change mine under the previous quality enhancement check, I bought the correct part and fitted it. The part was extortionate in the UK when I looked but is available from a BMW dealer in the USA for £118 delivered and import duties paid. See here:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-OEM-11-1 ... 1806088384

If you don’t want to do it yourself, £100 labour should cover it being fitted at a garage. That’s the option I’d take if I were you, it’s too big a risk not to do it.

[gchristofi]

When they didn’t change mine under the previous quality enhancement check, I bought the correct part and fitted it. The part was extortionate in the UK when I looked but is available from a BMW dealer in the USA for £118 delivered and import duties paid. See here:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-OEM-11-1 ... 1806088384

If you don’t want to do it yourself, £100 labour should cover it being fitted at a garage. That’s the option I’d take if I were you, it’s too big a risk not to do it.

Parts are already sitting in my ebay basket along with the requisite bolts... otherwise it would always bother me, especially as I tend to run cars for a long time / high miles. I just can't believe they're saying it's normal. I suppose I'll just finish the conversation with Barons tomorrow with the video and document sitting in front of me as a final attempt to get them to take action.

[gchristofi]

When I went to collect my car, the video I took of my prop UJ was shown to Barons' (nearly) master tech and the feedback was that all the movement seen is in the splines but there's none in the UJ itself. I'm still not entirely convinced that's true or even a good thing so new parts with updated part number are on the way to me. I'll fit and take a video afterwards to see if there's still play. Will also inspect the old prop more thoroughly when off the car and post back here for others to make their own judgement. All in parts have cost me £160.... a small price for piece of mind over the next x years.

[Lyons]

In the pile of paperwork that came with my car there is the recall letter that was sent out form BMW, and someone (I assume the last owner) has hand written on it that it was checked and got the all clear.

Is the part either in a faulty batch or its not? Theres no way that it could be Ok at 1 point, but be due to be replaced at some point in time later?

[IanP]

I thought part of the problem was that the ac drain had been incorrectly routed and that the condensate was dropping onto the uj?

[Gonkface]

I had a 2011 e71 4.0d and the uj suffered catastrophic failure in 2015 whilst being driven at slow speed. The vehicle had just been serviced and had been passed by BMW under the VHC scheme (even although it was very clear at the time that the under tray had not been removed!) Thankfully BMW covered it via goodwill as I was and still am a loyal customer.

I've just bought a 2009 e70 3.0sd and am having the uj checked this week. Hopefully there are no issues otherwise I will be looking to replace. In this regard is there any evidence that 2009 models are also subject to this fault in the uj.

[X5Sport]

Late 2010 builds onwards so far.

[Gonkface]

So I got my prop shaft checked this week and all is ok. The shaft in the early e70s does not have the universal joint that is the cause of the problems.