Rear Diff Problem & Ratio Question

[nick4275]

Well,
Over the weekend my 2005 X5 E53 3.0d Auto ate its own rear diff. At least I think it did, horrible crunching noises, smell of burnt oil and tell-tale seeping of burnt smelling oil at the junction of drive shaft and diff.
I'm no guru - but that sounds like a dead diff.
So, to the business end: I'm reliably informed that BMW diffs can't be rebuilt by reconditioning shops as their is no supply of parts ?
BMW have them but at the think end of £1500!
and if I can find one on eBay, I need to get the correct ratio. - Which I THINK is 3.91 ?

Could any one point be in a better direction ? - Failing that, IS my ratio likely to be 3.91 - and is it possible to fit any other diff to my vehicle - I think not as the diffs changed post 2004 ??

Any help most welcome,
Thanks
Nick

[X5Sport]

Ouch!  All I can think if is to see if any breakers yards have one they can sell you.  BMW don't do those sort of repairs and never have, but a transmission repairer may also be able to point you in the right direction, and it will depend upon how bad the internals are damaged or if the casing is damaged.

Any warnings that something was wrong, or just the sound of tortured teeth?

Not good anyway, and a hell of a way to join this Forum - welcome by the way.

Richard

[Horizon]

Try FAB Direct, they are often braking X5's and are a BMW breakers, I've dealt with them in the past and they are very good, look on there site to see if theory have anything listed.

http://www.fabdirect.com/bmw-parts-find ... 660/10871/

Like this one, not sure if its correct but put in my reg, mines a 55 plate 3.0 d

[nick4275]

Thanks both,

Did try Fabdirect yesterday - very, very helpful but they didn't have one.
Seems like the 3.91 ratio is as rare as hens teeth - Is that because it's the one found in 3.0D and therefore the most sought after ?

I've spoken to a few transmission rebuilders who all say they can't rebuild as BMW makes the parts so expensive it's not worth it in the end.

One more day of trawling the breakers I think and then square up for a £1500 sting from the main dealer !!

Regards

Nick

[graemeX5]

Hi

I'm sure I remember that there was someone on here who was breaking an X5 but not sure what exact model it may be worth checking the buy & sell section just in case

[graemeX5]

[quote="graemeX5"]
Hi

I'm sure I remember that there was someone on here who was breaking an X5 but not sure what exact model it may be worth checking the buy & sell section just in case
[/quote]

Try this link http://xdrivers.co.uk/forum/https://xdr ... ic.php?t=1

Hth

[nick4275]

Thanks for all your help, still lookin', still cryin' - I feel that main dealer will get his pound of flesh.
More breakers, more web sites, but think I'm more likely to find an Oozlum Bird before I find a 3.91 Diff !!

Tried buy and sell as suggested but the breaking model there is 2003, which I'm sure has a diff diff (see what I did there ?) at a ratio of 3.73.

Spoke to more diff rebuilders, they all say BMW make the parts so expensive that a rebuild is never worth it
Any offers on a front wheel drive X5 ???? LOL

Many thanks again

[graemeX5]

Hi I came across this breakers and they had a 2004 3.0 d in so maybe worth a call

http://www.a1bnspares.co.uk/contact.php

Only other place is if there are any breakers on eBay