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Changing front transfer case fluid

Tiny
BHAMDOC1973
  • MEMBER
  • 2011 BMW 328XI
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 120,000 MILES
I see oil around it so I am sure it is low. I need to change the fluid on the front transfer case, not the one behind the transmission. Can you give some insights on how to and the type of fluid? What happens if this front one fails?
Sunday, January 23rd, 2022 AT 7:08 PM

3 Replies

Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
Just to be sure we are talking about the same thing, when you say the front transfer case, I suspect you mean the front axle.

Can you get a picture of what you are looking at and how much fluid is there?

It is very rare for the front axle to leak on these so it may just be seeping, and that does not require attention as some seepage is normal.

I am attaching the info on the transfer case and the front differential so that we can try to be on the same page.

Please let me know if you can get a picture and we will go from there.

Thanks
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Monday, January 24th, 2022 AT 3:21 PM
Tiny
BHAMDOC1973
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  • 1,574 POSTS
The second picture is the transfer case behind the transmission, this is not it. It's the part where the front drive shaft connects to, and then front axles connect to wheels. I did not measure how much oil is in it, I didn't drain it. Yes, the front differential is what I mean. I also found a leaking ATF cooler so I think a lot of the oil down there is from it. Ordered another one then will check on differential, but needed to know what fluid type.
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Monday, January 24th, 2022 AT 3:36 PM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
Sorry. I thought that it was in there, but it didn't specifically say.

X drive vehicles take the fluid shown below. A lot of people put 75w-140 in them and say it is just fine. However, there are no real aftermarket equivalents so if you want the correct fluid, this is it.
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Monday, January 24th, 2022 AT 6:06 PM

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