Transfer Case probs due to mismatched tires?

MileHiX5 · #1 09-26-2008, 10:21 PM

I'm a newbie to the X5 family...
I have just purchased a 2001 X5 4.4 sport on 9/10...

Here's what's happened meanwhile...

The dealer agreed to look into/fix whatever was wrong due to the brake light that was on, and also install two new rear tires, before I was to pick up the car on 9/13 (after getting detailed).
The dealer was ordering 255s for the rear. I called him to let him know that 285s are on the rear. He corrected the order (supposedly) and learned that they are staggered (from me).
When I picked up the car on 9/13, I went to point out to him how the front/rears are different. Well, while Brakes Plus took care of replacing the front brakes, Brakes Plus had installed the tires back on with the 285s on the right side (front and rear), and the 255s on the left side (front and rear). Yes, doesn't make sense to me either why.....

I was told the new 285s would be several days to arrive, and the tires could get rotated correctly then at the tire shop.
When I was told that the tires had arrived at Discount Tire...I immediately took the car over for tire replacement and correction. The 255s had come in, when I was to receive the 285s. I asked for them to at least rotate the tires correctly so that the 255s are front and 285s on the rear. They claimed that the one 285 rim was not fitting correctly on the rear right, so they left it as-is. Again, I was told that it would be ok until the 285 order arrived.
The 285s arrived on 9/23 and had them installed....no problem...now the rim miraculously 'fit' on the rear.

Next day...9/24...all gears are 'out' on my X5 while driving with a bad whine in each gear. I pull over, not even the "park" gear would work, so I had to use the parking brake. I've been concerned and worried that it could be the transmission. HOwever, today the shop called and said the trans is just fine, that the problem is in the transfer case and will have to open it up.

As I read previous posts concerning the transfer case, AWD, and having the tires correct....Could the 200 miles I've placed on the car since picking it up at the dealer with the tires incorrectly installed have some bearing on damaging the transfer case??? I would think the 'professionals' at Brakes Plus and Discount Tire would know to check specs on a vehicle they are working on. I'm not the 'vehicle professional' here....and was told twice that it would be ok (the tires not properly installed)

Or is it just random for the transfer case to fall ill? I've got 73k on the X5.

I will update when I get the complete diagnosis.... Thank you in advance for any info or suggestions!!

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TwinsPoppa · #2 09-26-2008, 10:33 PM

Hi, first, welcome to the board.

Second, I wish I had an answer for you but I just have to comment that stealer was obviously only interested in making the sale asap. They should not have let you leave with the 285s on one side and 255s on the other - simply ridiculous!

Would not surprise me if that did have something to do with your current problems. Again, sorry I can't be of much help but there are plenty of knowlegeable people here that probably could. Good luck with your X!

X5Dawg · #3 09-26-2008, 10:59 PM

That sucks - sounds like you need a good lawyer.

dkl · #4 09-26-2008, 11:36 PM

The mixed positions of your staggered tires would NOT have caused your gear failure as the 255/50-19 fronts and 285/45-19 rears all have similar rolling diameters

Weasel · #5 09-26-2008, 11:59 PM

What are the full tire sizes you have installed now? As the transfer case on the pre-04's are locked solid at a 38 - 62% torque split, and you do HAVE to have the same size rolling diameter on the fronts and rears or the axles will turn at different speeds, putting the full force of your tires grip to the gearing in the t-case.

What usually happens is the splines of the front output shaft from the transfer case get stripped out from the high amount of force put on them. Meaning you have to buy not only a transfer case but a driveshaft as well. And if you can't drive in any gear and park don't work right either, thats what it sounds like to me. If the X5 is by chance under 100k miles, you might be in the running for a goodwill repair from BMW seeing as that you JUST bought it from them.

vinuneuro · #6 09-27-2008, 12:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by weasel56

What are the full tire sizes you have installed now? As the transfer case on the pre-04's are locked solid at a 38 - 62% torque split, and you do HAVE to have the same size rolling diameter on the fronts and rears or the axles will turn at different speeds, putting the full force of your tires grip to the gearing in the t-case.

What usually happens is the splines of the front output shaft from the transfer case get stripped out from the high amount of force put on them. Meaning you have to buy not only a transfer case but a driveshaft as well. And if you can't drive in any gear and park don't work right either, thats what it sounds like to me. If the X5 is by chance under 100k miles, you might be in the running for a goodwill repair from BMW seeing as that you JUST bought it from them.

What I got from his post was that the wider wheels were put on one side, narrower on the other. With them installed this way, even if the rolling diameters were different left-right, don't think there'd be any problem.

Weasel · #7 09-27-2008, 12:11 AM

Not so much as left to right, because both front and rear differentials are open, so the spider gears would take up the difference, which would be mostly rolling resistance anyways just causing a pull. But what I got from it is that he didn't have the whining/grinding problems untill the next day after they were put back correct. Making me wonder if they got the correct profile on the new 285's or if they are too tall... they need to be 255/50-19 fronts and 285/45-19 rears of the same brand and tread design, as there are noticeable differences in tread height/rolling diameter in different brand tires.

vinuneuro · #8 09-27-2008, 12:24 AM

Ah I see what you mean now, problem after the wheels were installed in the correct position. OP should post the exact sizes of the tires.

MileHiX5 · #9 09-27-2008, 07:02 AM

Thank you so much for the welcome and your input!

The full size tires installed now (as of 9/23) are all Michelin Diamaris.
Front tires: 255/50-19 with approx 50% tread.
Rear tires: 285/45-19 brand new 100% tread.

Vinuneuro is correct verifying that the 255's were installed on the left side, and the 285's installed on the right side. (as received by the by Brakes Plus)

Unfortunately, weasel56, I didn't purchase this from a bmw dealer....er, i mean stealer

It was a used auto dealer/broker...or in this case would that be referred to just "auto broke" ? lol.

I will be, at least, informing my mechanic today of the tire issue that occurred, in case that could indeed have some weight as to any domino effect to the transfer case and possibly the differential. I'll also be pursuing the paperwork on the job that Brakes Plus did for the dealer from my salesperson, and informing him of the issue. Not that he'll care or help at this point, but at least vent.

Grrrrr!!!!

If the tire installation error does play a role in damage....at least I hope this could be a huge warning to those with tire placement/size/etc questions in the future..... !

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