2003 BMW X5 drivetrain

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Subject Page
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Body . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Hood/Front Grille . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Doors/Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Interior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Climate Control Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
Cargo Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
Tailgate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25
Drivetrain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28
Front Suspension . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31
Rear Suspension . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33
EHC Control System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47
Wheels & Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48
Fuel Supply System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49
Exhaust System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50
Power Distribution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51
Component Locations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52
STO36 X5

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Drivetrain
The transfer case, driveshafts, final drives and half shafts make up the drivetrain assembly.
The transfer case is always mounted in the same position on the X5. This applies to other
markets and future models that will utilize different transmissions for different engine con-
figurations. With these models, the transmission tail shafts will be modified to match up with
the transfer case.
The rear driveshaft is a two piece unit using a center bearing, while the front drive shaft is
a single piece that is splined to the transfer case and bolted to the front differential.
The breather vents for both differentials and the transfer case are mounted higher up on the
chassis to prevent water from entering if the vehicle is driven off road through water. The
front breather passes up into the engine compartment and is mounted under the left side
ignition coil cover. The rear breather passes along the under side of the body and is mount-
ed behind the left side wheel arch cover. The breather vent for the transfer case is mount-
ed up high in the driveshaft tunnel.
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Drivetrain-Transfer Case
The transfer case is manufactured by New Process Gear Division of New Venture Gear
Company. It is identified as model NV 125.
It incorporates a planetary gear set and chain to provide the torque split and all wheel drive.
The output torque of the transmission is applied to the planetary carrier of the gear set. The
rear drive shaft is connected to the annulus gear and the front drive shaft is connected to
the sun gear through the chain drive.
As the output shaft of the transmission turns, the planetary carrier rotates, causing the
planetary gears to drive the sun gear and annulus gear.
A torque split of 68% rear/ 32% front is provided through the gearing of the planetary set.
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Drivetrain-Final Drives
The final drives for the front and rear axles are conventional differentials. The DSC system
provides anti-spin/slip control for both the front and rear axles on the X5.
The rear differential is the HAG 188K
(compact) unit with a ratio of 3.64 : 1
The front differential is the VAG 174
unit with a ratio of 3.64 : 1.
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