BMW X3 E83 SUV (2004 - ) - 05 2000 rear differential problems

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Thu 11 Jun 2009 20:13
05 2000 rear differential problems - gerry67
When driving the car, when i go to pull off a clunking noise can be heard from the differential; also when driving normally when i ease off the gers and slow down i can still hear a cunking noise.

The garage told me that there is nothing wrong with the differential and that the tyres may be faulty, can anyone tell if there have been any similar problems you have heard of?
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Thu 11 Jun 2009 20:59
05 2000 rear differential problems - jc2
Tyres DON'T clunk!
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Wed 5 Aug 2009 11:42
05 2000 rear differential problems - emersok
I get the same thing with my X3. Did you find out what the problem was and more importantly how much to get it fixed

Regards,

emersok
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Wed 5 Aug 2009 15:46
05 2000 rear differential problems - piston power
Check prop shaft bearing is not worn this will but strain on diff pinion bearing.

Is there oil in the diff? not a silly question many get over looked.

Also rear brakes can stick on when been wet and can clunk when setting off.
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Mon 12 Jul 2010 23:01
05 2000 rear differential problems - Falconhoof

Appreciate this thread is old, but I have exactly the same problem - a clunking noise when slowing down to a standstill, the same when pulling away (sometimes) and an unusual noise from the back when accelerating at part throttle.

I phoned an independent BMW specialist who said it could be caused by two things:

a) play in the splines on the rear differential pinion (he didn't mention anything about the propshaft bearing being worn, although that's not to say that's not the cause)

b) using non-BMW approved tyres - apparently approved BMW tyres have a star on the sidewall, and using non approved ones has been known to cause noises from diffs - seems odd, but he assured me that they had seen a number of cases.

Anyway, did anyone actually have the problem sorted, and if so, what needed to be done.

Any help is much appreciated.

Thanks

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Mon 23 Aug 2010 13:22
05 2000 rear differential problems - stirling7

Appreciate this thread is old, but I have exactly the same problem - a clunking noise when slowing down to a standstill, the same when pulling away (sometimes) and an unusual noise from the back when accelerating at part throttle.

I phoned an independent BMW specialist who said it could be caused by two things:

a) play in the splines on the rear differential pinion (he didn't mention anything about the propshaft bearing being worn, although that's not to say that's not the cause)

b) using non-BMW approved tyres - apparently approved BMW tyres have a star on the sidewall, and using non approved ones has been known to cause noises from diffs - seems odd, but he assured me that they had seen a number of cases.

Anyway, did anyone actually have the problem sorted, and if so, what needed to be done.

Any help is much appreciated.

Thanks

As a result of a puncture,miles from home,I recently replaced my rear,worn Pirelli Scorpions with Kumhos -the only tyre the tyre dealer could offer me.I then experienced the same problems that you mention as well as the yelolw light flashing all the time when cornering .At the car's next service I asked the BMW main dealer's service manager whether the new tyres might have caused the problem but he didn't seem to know.I needed a pair of new fronts anyway,so i had the dealer change the Kumos to the front and fit new Scorpions at the rear and this seems to have solved the problem.The message seems to be -don't fit non BMW approved tyres to this car -incidentally,the dealer charged £280,fitted for the two new Scorpions which seemed cheaper than elsewhere.

hope this helps

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Thu 27 Jan 2011 20:56
05 2000 rear differential problems - rups
I am having same issue with my 323i. Did full servicing and dealer told me that you have a broken rear spring and leaking suspension. I thought the noise must be from it so replacing should sort it out. Replaced both suspensions and rear coils/springs also replaced rear discs and pads. And you know what after all this expenses I still have the noise.. I am really mad now.. This noise is really irritating.
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Mon 21 Feb 2011 20:44
05 2000 rear differential problems - penelope pitstop1

I have a bmw x3 the clunking noise has been going on now for 3 months I have had new brake pads and 2 new tyres not matching the bridgstone when the noise started 2 non bmw garages later and no-one can get rid of the noise in the end went to BMW and they said it was the non matching tyres then charged me for new rear suspension coil spring - plugs and brake fluid but as you might imagine the noise is still there. Now been to an indepentant garage who says no tyres make this noise and its the differential and needs investigating which is happening this week will let you know what happens.

Edited by penelope pitstop1 on 21/02/2011 at 20:45

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Mon 19 Dec 2011 17:16
05 2000 rear differential problems - map

Hi did you sort out the clunking noise as i have the same problem, Regards Mark

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Wed 21 Dec 2011 22:04
05 2000 rear differential problems - flyin corsa
Hey I work for BMW and if u run these cars without non star rated tyres or even tyres at different depths can cause the clunking which then causes damage to the transfer box and even if u change back to star rated tyres the damage is already done. Hope this helps
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Sat 24 Mar 2012 20:24
05 2000 rear differential problems - steveodw

Hi ,

I had a clunk whan starting/ stopping and driving slowly or turning. Had the tyres changed to Dunlop SP01. This stopped the constant clunk whilst driving slowly, but has left perminent damage on the rear diff that clunks when moving forward, backward initially and turning.

Not sure how long the non standard tyres where fitted for but the X3 has only done 56K on a 2006.

I've been told it's a £1000 job to change the diff so I'm living with it at the mo as it runs OK, just anoying when turning !

Steve

UK

Edited by steveodw on 24/03/2012 at 20:29

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Mon 18 Nov 2013 15:58
05 2000 rear differential problems - pc1361

I've had my 2006 X3 2.0d Msport for 3 years now.

Before buying it I had test driven a similar age model which had the clunking that most people refer to. This obviously put me off the purchase off that particular car. The one I did by had about 59k on the clock and was clunk free.

At the time I was blissfully unaware of this apparently common issue. When I bought the car it had miss matching tyres on the front and rear axles and after about 12 months the dreaded clunking became noticable.

I changed all four tyres for brand new Michelins and this did help. I have not had the cause of the problem investigated further but I suspect it is related more to the transfer box.

My logic for this is that I have recently had the issue where both front tyres are losing pressure and the clunking noise when for instance carrying out a 3 point turn becomes particularly noticable.

If I keep the tyres inflated to the correct pressures it is noticably reduced. I think that the chage in the rolling circumference of the wheels / tyres highlights wear in the transfer both which is what splits the drive betwwen the front and rear axles.

I might be wrong but as stated in early threads tyre choice is very important and from my experience so is keeping your eye on tyre pressures.

Rich UK

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Mon 18 Nov 2013 16:01
05 2000 rear differential problems - gordonbennet

Anyone tried doing the obvious, changing the gear oils, all of them...would have been quite normal service item under a Toyota regime for instance.

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Mon 18 Nov 2013 18:15
05 2000 rear differential problems - madf

Subar proescribe oil changes all diffs at 35,000 miles.. No wonder they last well.

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