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SI B27 03 15
Intermediate and Special Transmission

August 2015
Technical Service

SUBJECT

Vibration or Shudder from Driveline when Accelerating from a Stop
MODEL

E70 (X5)
E71 (X6)
E84 (X1)
F01 (7 Series xDrive Sedan)
F02 (7 Series xDrive Sedan LWB)
F06 (6 Series xDrive Gran Coupe)
F07 (5 Series xDrive Gran Turismo)
F10 (5 Series xDrive Sedan)
F13 (6 Series xDrive Coupe)
F15 (X5)
F16 (X6)
F22 (2 Series xDrive Coupe)
F23 (2 Series xDrive Convertible)
F25 (X3)
F26 (X4)
F30 (3 Series xDrive Sedan)
F31 (3 Series xDrive Sports Wagon)
F32 (4 Series xDrive Coupe)
F34 (3 Series xDrive Gran Turismo)
F36 (3 Series xDrive Gran Coupe)
Excluding the E70 with diesel engines, X5 M, X6 M and the BMW Alpina B6 and BMW Alpina
B7 models with xDrive

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SITUATION

Chassis stabilization warning is displayed. Vehicle may exhibit a shudder or vibration when taking
off from a stop. One or more of the following fault codes may be stored:
LMV
• 440101 – Transfer box (VTG): End of transmission service life reached
• 440105 – Transfer box (VTG ) Calibration Faulty
• 440115 – Transfer box (VTG): Calibration angle deviation outside tolerance
• 44011B – Set torque outside of the torque characteristic curve
EGS
• 420611 – DSC interface (wheel speed): non-permitted deviation of wheel speed (actual speed
of wheel RL/FL/RR/FR, 0x254) from output speed and turbine speed
DSC
• 48097D - Transfer box: Fault, clutch position known, only rear-wheel drive
These symptoms or faults would be stored on a vehicle with low mileage (< 12,500 miles).
CAUSE

A front or rear differential with the incorrect gear ratio was installed in the car. The front and rear
differentials need to be geared exactly the same for the xDrive to function properly.
PROCEDURE

Checking the front and rear differential gear ratios:
Remove any underbody protection to gain visual access to the front and rear differentials. It will be
necessary to use a mirror to read off the gear ratios printed on the differential parts label.

Gear ratios for all xDrive vehicles are
listed on the parts information label on
the upper right corner of the label (1).

Example 1: Front differential label
with gear ratio (1) – “2.81”.

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Example 2: Rear differential label with
gear ratio (1) – “3.15”.

Input the VIN into the Electronic Parts
Catalog (EPC) to determine the correct
gear ratio differential for the affected
vehicle. Replace the incorrect diff
(front or rear) and the transfer case.

Refer to Repair instruction RA 31 50 001 Removing and installing/replacing front axle gearbox.
Refer to Repair Instruction RA 27 10 010 Removing and installing transfer box.

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Refer to Repair Instruction RA 33 10 016 Removing and installing (replacing) rear axle
differential.
A PuMA Case titled “Incorrect Differential Installed” will only be necessary if the front and rear
gear ratios do not match each other, and also do not match what is listed in EPC.
PARTS INFORMATION

Refer to EPC for the correct part numbers of the affected differential and transfer case.
WARRANTY INFORMATION

Covered under the terms of the BMW New Vehicle Limited Warranty for Passenger Cars and Light
Trucks.
Diagnosis
Labor Operation:

00 00 006

Labor Allowance:

Description:

Refer to KSD2

Performing “vehicle
test” (with vehicle
diagnosis system –
checking faults)

Refer to KSD2

Connect an approved
battery charger/power
supply(indicated in
KSD2 as “Charging
battery”)

And:

61 21 528

If you are using a Main labor code for another repair, use the Plus code labor operation 00 00 556
instead.
Claim the “Diagnosis” above with item that applies below:
The Incorrect Front Final Drive/Gearbox is Installed
Defect Code:

31 50 00 39 00

Front Final Drive Complete

Labor Operation:

Labor Allowance:

Description:

31 50 500

Refer to KSD2

Removing and installing or replacing
front final drive

Refer to KSD2

Replacing front axle gearbox

Or:
31 50 502
And:

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Performing a Wheel Alignment (All except E84)
Labor Operation:

32 00 595

Labor Allowance:

Description:

Refer to KSD2

Wheel alignment
check KDS with rideheight measurement,
without load

Refer to KSD2

Adjusting toe-in on
front axle

Refer to KSD2

Adjusting rear axle

Refer to KSD2

Adjusting rear axle
and front axle

And
32 00 601
Or
32 00 620
Or
32 00 630
Or:
The Incorrect Rear Final Drive/Rear Axle Differential is Installed
Defect Code:

33 10 01 39 00

Rear Axle Differential HAG

Or:
33 10 03 57 00

Rear Axle Differential HAG –QMVH
(X6)

Labor Operation:

Labor Allowance:

Description:

33 10 500

Refer to KSD2

Removing and installing or replacing
final drive

Refer to KSD2

Replacing rear axle differential

Or:
33 10 517
And:
Replacing the Transfer Box (Required, in conjunction with the replacing front or rear
gearbox)
Labor Operation:

Labor Allowance:

Description:

00 50 000

Work Time (WT)

Replacing Labor
Operation 27 10 520:

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Work time for the
additional time
needed to exchange
the transfer box in
association with
performing the
applicable repair
outlined above minus
the overlapping labor.
Refer to KSD2 for the corresponding flat rate unit (FRU) allowance.
To determine the “included” and “overlapping” labor operations/work procedures, please use both
the:
• “Inclusive FR,” and the
• “FR Description” functions in KSD2.
Work time labor operation code 00 50 000 is not considered a Main labor operation. Also, separate
punch time(s) are not required.
Please itemize the additional FRU amount claimed on the repair order and in the claim comment
section.
And:
Sublet – Bulk Materials

Sublet Code 4

See sublet
reimbursement
calculation below

Reimbursement for the repairrelated bulk materials (Do not use
part numbers for claim
submission)

Sublet reimbursement calculation for claiming the used quantities of repair-related bulk materials:
• BMW part numbers is at dealer net plus handling, or
• Other materials not available through BMW and obtained locally are at “cost plus 20
percent.”
Enter this material cost in sublet and itemize the amount in the claim comment section.
Specific Bulk Materials
• The “top-up” quantity of gear oil (BMW Bulk Part SAF-XO numbers) at dealer net plus
handling.
• The used quantity transfer case oil (BMW Bulk Distributor for trans. fluid TF 0870 P/N 83
22 0 397 244, “One liter” container at dealer net plus handling.

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Enter the material cost in sublet and itemize the amount in the repair order and in the claim
comment section.
And:
Vehicle Programming and Encoding
E70, E71 and E84 only
Labor Operation:

61 00 710

Labor Allowance:

Description:

Refer to KSD2

Programming /
encoding control unit
(s) (not including
CAS)

Refer to KSD2

Programming /
encoding control unit
(s) (with CAS)

Or:
61 00 720

For:
All Other Models
Labor Operation:

Labor Allowance:

Description:

61 00 730

Refer to KSD2

Programming / encoding control unit(s)

Refer to KSD2 for the corresponding flat rate unit (FRU) allowance.
If a control module was working properly and it fails to program correctly or requires initialization,
please claim this additional work with the applicable KSD2 labor operations under the defect code
listed above.
The diagnosis and repair of vehicles “arriving” with failed control modules or stored faults which
will cause the control modules to fail during programming cannot be claimed under the defect
codes provided in this bulletin for claim submission.
If other eligible and covered work is performed “prior” to programming and coding the vehicle,
claim this work with the applicable defect code and labor operations listed in KSD2.
Overlapping Labor – Other Repairs
If invoicing KSD2 flat rate labor operation codes for the other required and covered repair work
results in overlapping labor being claimed, invoice work time labor operation 00 50 000 for the
additional time (FRU) minus the overlap instead.
On the repair order and in the claim comment section, please identify the labor operations that labor
operation code 00 50 000 replaces and itemize the claimed FRU amount.

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Again, work time labor operation code 00 50 000 is not considered a Main labor operation.
Claimed this “other” required repair work with the applicable KSD2 defect codes, separate punch
times for the corresponding labor is required.
[ Copyright ©2015 BMW of North America, Inc. ]

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