2001 BMW X5 3.0i E53, Automatic Transmission; clicking noise on take off/reverse

[KantuG]

Dear Friends

I wish to start by thanking you for accepting my registration as a new member of this very important group of Bimmer Owners.

I recently bought a 2001 BMW X5 3.0i E53 Automatic Transmission, Mileage is at 121, 000 miles.

I am experiencing some clicking clicking noise on take off, up an incline and in reverse. The clicking is more if I take off suddenly. It seems to be coming from the under carriage near the front. My suspicion in the giubo flex disc, the center bearing looks good.

Please help with the diagnosis if my suspicion is spot on or there could be another problem.

Let me mention that I have some mechanical knowledge since i have a qualification in mechanical engineering. Am also able to do repairs in my backyard and considering that the nearest BMW Center is 850 kilometers from my base.

Thank you.

Warm Regards
KantuG

[MarcoZandrini]

Welcome. At that mileage I would suspect that the guibo is the cause of the noise. However, do you have maintenance records for the vehicle? Has the transmission ever been serviced-fluid and filter change? Also, do you hear the noise when the front wheels are turned to the full left or right with the vehicle doing 20km/h? This would indicate a constant velocity joint (CV) issue. BMW “x” vehicles seem to eat front CVs. I would invest in a scanner that can scan both the engine computer (DME) and the automatic transmission computer (EGS). Check the software section for recommendations.

[jclausen]

And are you sure it's not coming from the transfer case lift it and run it listen for the noise

[bmwdirtracer]

+1 to the transfer case, sorry.

Unfortunately, there's not a single item to point to, on this car, so as jclausen suggests, you really need to put it on a lift, and have someone turn off the DSC (hold button down for 5 seconds), then 'drive" the car on the lift, while you listen with a stethoscope to the transfer case, front diff, and the wheel carriers (hubs). Also, closely inspect any u-joints on front and rear driveshafts. If you see redness / rust, the u-joint is dead. Driveshaft u-joints are nor replaceable by normal means.

All the best, and thank you for joining the forum!

[KantuG]

Dear Friends
Thanks very I will definitely follow through the advice. Sadly I have no maintenance records
Great thanks
KantuG