Front and read Giubo (flex disk, guibo) on an xDrive car?

[AndySweden]

I think I need a new Giubo (flex disk) in my 2015 328ix (40.000 miles) since I feel a very light studder when the car is going gently uphill and I assume I still have the old "mainly aluminum" version and need the newer "mainly rubber" version.

BMW had a recall on this part but only for cars with Diesel engines (although it's the same part).

Since my car is an xDrive - do I need two new Giubos?
One for the front and one for the rear?
Or are there two Giubos in an xDrive but usually only the one in the rear is the problematic one?

I'm a bit worried that the transfer case needs to be replaced but the garage said a new Giubo and new oil in the transfer case and the problem should be gone.









https://i.ibb.co/mNzZcJc/Aluminum-giubo.png


https://i.ibb.co/MPYT7vw/rubber-updated.jpg

[328 Power 04]

Hahah,

You pulled this from my thread on Bimmerpost; I'm user "Enabled" there.

Yes, the update to rubber should be done on all pre-LCI F chassis that have the aluminum one. The aluminum one also tends to crack and blow up with time on higher powered cars.

The aluminum one is the front position between the transfer case and the beginning of the driveshaft. The one between the driveshaft and the rear differential is normal rubber.

- - - Updated - - -

While there, the output flange *should* be inspected for play in the splines and if desired, loctite the output flange to the shaft. That would be curative of output flange issues.

[AndySweden]

Thanks, yes, I've tried to read all entries on Bimmerfest and Bimmerforums but still wasn't clear about one or two Giubos.


> The aluminum one is the front position between the transfer case
> and the beginning of the driveshaft. The one between the driveshaft
> and the rear differential is normal rubber.


Good - but my question (confusion?) is about the connection between the transfer case and the driveshaft towards the front axle. If there is an aluminum Giubo between the transfer case and the beginning of the driveshaft towards the rear axle then I'm wondering if there is another aluminum Giubo between the transfer case and the beginning of the driveshaft towards the front axle.

I think I got the answer to this question. jburke4689 wrote: "The front drive shaft doesn't have giubos. It has a standard cross-type universal joint at each end."



> While there, the output flange *should* be inspected for play
> in the splines and if desired, loctite the output flange to the shaft.
> That would be curative of output flange issues.


Thank you!
Sounds good but will a garage do that?
The garage suggested to change the Giubo and the oil in the transfer case.
Gluing the output flange to the shaft sounds like a practical approach but not like a "professional, BMW approved" solution. Maybe I'm too negative, it's not even a "BMW only" garage but they might roll their eyes at the suggestion of "gluing it".

[328 Power 04]

Check this link out.
https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showparts?id=3B53-USA-09-2014-F30-BMW-328iX&diagId=26_0224

There are no flex discs on the front shaft.



A garage should inspect the flange while there... yes. It's a matter of looking and feeling for play. This is done when the giubo is off. If they refuse that and feel like they know too much, then you should find another garage.

Spline loctite is a known approach in the automotive world. If they refuse that, then you can either have someone else do it for you, or it may be skipped. Hopefully there isn't enough play in it to accelerate to complete loss of splines though.

[AndySweden]

> Check this link out.
> https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...diagId=26_0224


Perfect!
Now that I know what to look for and with your info "There are no flex discs on the front shaft" it's a perfect answer.


> A garage should inspect the flange while there... yes.
> It's a matter of looking and feeling for play.
> This is done when the giubo is off.
> If they refuse that and feel like they know too much,
> then you should find another garage.


OK, good info.


> Spline loctite is a known approach in the automotive world.
> If they refuse that, then you can either have someone else
> do it for you, or it may be skipped. Hopefully there isn't
> enough play in it to accelerate to complete loss of splines though.


That's helpful info.
Thanks a lot - I really appreciate it!

[AndySweden]

Thank you Abel!

So far it happened just like you described.

The garage took out the transfer case and checked for play. They said there is quite some play and the splines are worn down. I need a new transfer case. $4000 for the part alone plus around $2500 for labor.

I said no thanks - please just the new Giubo, new oil in the TC, clean the worn splines very well and use Loctite and put everything together.
The garage said they'll do it but it's not the BMW recommended way and there will be no warranty in any way. Total cost: $1450
They will do it today (Friday) or next week.