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2004 manual 2.5i X3 presumed play in drivetrain

Discuss anything to do with the (E83) BMW X3 here
(Older F25 discussion within will ideally to be moved to F25 Sub section below)
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X3wilts
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2004 manual 2.5i X3 presumed play in drivetrain

Post by X3wilts » Mon Nov 26, 2018 7:01 pm

I'm trying to find why my car clunks when the clutch is let up. It's only a light clunk but audible. It also has a tendency to get stuck jerking when the accelerator is let off like a sort of resonance like a slowly decaying bounce. I think it's either my flex joint, center bearing or my u joint. But can't be sure is there a way to tell the difference? Or maybe all of them? Tia

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X5Sport
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Re: 2004 manual 2.5i X3 presumed play in drivetrain

Post by X5Sport » Mon Nov 26, 2018 7:20 pm

What tyres are fitted, and what wheel size (inc width)? X3s are very sensitive to tyre choice and getting it wrong can and has damaged the transfer box in particular. Tyre wear differences axle to axle or even tyre to tyre can cause transmission wind-up and the stress can give rise to other issues.
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Re: 2004 manual 2.5i X3 presumed play in drivetrain

Post by X3wilts » Sat Dec 08, 2018 7:45 pm

Thanks for the response,

255 45r 18 on the back
235 50r 18 on the front

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Re: 2004 manual 2.5i X3 presumed play in drivetrain

Post by X5Sport » Sat Dec 08, 2018 9:38 pm

All X cars need to have very even tread wear between axles, no more than a couple of mm difference front to rear or on the same axle.

E83 are known to be sensitive to having non ‘*’ marked (it’s visible on the sidewalls) tyres fitted, with some tyres leading to damaged transfer boxes or diffs. It may not be your cause, but worth checking. The mark means the tyres are specially made for BMW cars. Merc, Audi, Porsche and others also have their own version (and marking schemes).
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Re: 2004 manual 2.5i X3 presumed play in drivetrain

Post by kkx5 » Sat Dec 08, 2018 10:21 pm

....As always....remove fuse no26...test drive it.

X3wilts
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Re: 2004 manual 2.5i X3 presumed play in drivetrain

Post by X3wilts » Sun Dec 09, 2018 1:39 pm

I've checked the tyres all round and they are all evenly worn they also have the * marking on them. Good to know for when I get new tyres as I wasnt aware about how sensitive the system is to them. :) I've also driven it with the transfer box disabled and seems to make no difference still auidable clunck when changing gears and pulling away. It's going in for its mot so I've just asked the garage to look into it when the have up on the ramp and just check for play in the propshaft. When I find out I'll post an update. Thanks for all your help :D

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Re: 2004 manual 2.5i X3 presumed play in drivetrain

Post by X3wilts » Thu Feb 21, 2019 7:12 pm

Okay late update but it was both the flex disc and the centre bearing that had gone. The clunck came from the whipping from old flex disc.

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