Front end vibrating issue?

Tiny
BHAMDOC1
  • MEMBER
  • 2014 BMW 320
  • 4 CYL
  • TURBO
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 117,000 MILES
This is the Drive, AWD, and they usually have issues with the transfer case or front differential. This one had some transfer case codes and a lot of vibration that I feel at the front, no shaking or vibration in the steering. No shaking when applying brakes. It feels like a bad wheel that starts to vibrate around, and you just feel it get worse. One of the axles have play up and down where it goes in the font diff. Also, there is a creaking noise on that same side, seems like from the strut. Could a bad axle cause a strut to go bad or vice versa? I removed the shaft between the transfer case and the front differential, and a lot of the issues have gone away. But I still have some vibration at the front. I checked all the bushings, and they feel tight. When moving the front wheel with the axle play I feel play and its coming from the end of that axle going into the front differential. I can replace the axle, but I am afraid it's not the axle but rather the play is coming from inside the differential. I can also replace the strut but that may take care of the creaking noise but not the vibration.
Tuesday, January 14th, 2025 AT 10:14 AM

8 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 49,535 POSTS
What happens is the fluid inside the transfer case wears out and allows the clutches to not lubricate as needed which causes the car to vibrate as you have described. I would do a fluid change, but you need to use the BWM fluid, it might be expensive, but it is worth it. I just went through this problem in an AWD Mercedes Benz, $70 a quart but it worked.

Transfer box

Capacity. 0.44 liters

Transmission oil must flow/drip gently out of the oil filler opening. If necessary, pour in oil to lower edge of filler screw opening.

Note: Only change oil when transfer box is at normal operating temperature. Check out the images (below). Please let us know what happens.
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Wednesday, January 15th, 2025 AT 11:35 AM
Tiny
BHAMDOC1
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  • 93 POSTS
I already removed the shaft between the transfer case and front differential, and it eliminated a lot of the vibration but it's still there. I indicated there is a play in the CV axle, could that contribute even though the shaft is removed between transfer and differential?
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Wednesday, January 15th, 2025 AT 11:37 AM
Tiny
BHAMDOC1
  • MEMBER
  • 93 POSTS
Meant to say the shaft. And when moving the wheel I hear some play and it's on the end of the axle by the differential.
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Wednesday, January 15th, 2025 AT 11:50 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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  • 49,535 POSTS
It is hard to say if the vibration is caused by that, I would change the fluid in the rear differential first, it has clutches that will "chatter" when the fluid wears out. To me it is worth a try before diving into the axle/diff. Suck the fluid out for replacement.

Hypoid Axle Oil G3 (Fuchs Titan EG 4218)

Check out the images (below). Please let us know what happens.
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Thursday, January 16th, 2025 AT 9:07 AM
Tiny
BHAMDOC1
  • MEMBER
  • 93 POSTS
Yes anything is possible, but from my experience with these cars I have never seen a bad rear diff, usually front or the transfer case. I found the lower control arm has a lot of free play, and part of one of the engine mounts is broken I believe so will change those too.
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Thursday, January 16th, 2025 AT 9:24 AM
Tiny
BHAMDOC1
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  • 93 POSTS
Attached videos. I removed it to check it out anyways since I was replacing the lower control arm.
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Friday, January 17th, 2025 AT 9:47 AM
Tiny
BHAMDOC1
  • MEMBER
  • 93 POSTS
I know they always say there should be very minimal play when moving the axle up and down, where will the play be? Inside the boot? Hard to tell if there is anything wrong with it while out. The fluid out of the front diff looks good, not dark and clean. I also balanced the front wheel on that side and its fine, moved it to the back, ordered a used axle, mounts and the control arm.
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Friday, January 17th, 2025 AT 11:56 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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  • 49,535 POSTS
Yep, you are correct it is hard to tell if the CV axle is the problem unless you take it apart and inspect the cage or inner race for wear. Let me know if this fixes the problem I am interested.
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Friday, January 17th, 2025 AT 12:15 PM

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