I just got owned.

[BillBrasky]

You're going to need a new/rebuilt transfer case or if you can find one in good condition at a salvage yard. You'll also need a new front drive shaft. Transfer cases are not interchangeable between manual and automatic IX's, but are the same for all model years. The spline gears in the transfer case are stripped. It is the weakest point of the IX drivetrain. You have to keep it slobbered in Moly grease about every 24 months and make sure the O-ring and plastic shield on the driveshaft is in good condition to keep salt and water out of the spline. When you install the new driveshaft, put the most amount of stainless steel washers (usually 2) that will fit between the guibo and driveshaft flange to shove it in the transfer case further and thus give you more surface area to reduce wear over the years.

[nando]

grinding noise and car still moves - front driveshaft stripped, transfercase still good

grinding noise and car doesn't move - front driveshaft stripped, transfercase toast

the splines themselves aren't really that weak, however lubrication is critical, and if it's ever been removed or replaced chances are whoever did it used the wrong stuff. Plain Moly lube won't cut it, it will dry out and oxidize leaving the splines to rust and that is why they strip. Talk to M3 Ryan about one of his driveshaft spacer kits, it comes with the right lube (molykote BR2-Plus, OE is a little diff but this is actually a more severe duty spec).

You will still need to rebuild or replace the transfercase and driveshaft, it's probably been beat on if the VC is dead (towed wrong, wrong sized tires, who knows). If it was still working you could drive the car with no front driveshaft no problem. a well taken care of ix can go hundreds of thousands of miles with the same transfercase, but there are so few of them that most people don't realize they are even AWD. Improper towing seems to be a very common cause of burned out VCs (who knows how many times your car has been towed in 20 years).

also, if you can find either a manual or auto transfer case, you can swap the internals into (except for the input shaft from the transmission, they are the same internally).

[Rockinlittle325i]

what about the throw out bearing hmmm?

happened to me

[ploobIX88]

ok so sounds like im going to need a new transfer case and a new driveshaft because it is making a grinding noise and its not moving... well it will move slightly if i ride the clutch about 1/4 to 1/2 of the way engaged... but still basically wont move. about how much will this all run me would you think... im going to call this bmw junkyard near my house in the morning and see what they have to say about price. and if anybody has a t-case and driveshaft for sale let me know please!!!

thanks for all the help guys.

[Philo]

I'll try to get down to my local yard monday and get on their computer. I should be able to look at the inventory of all the yards in the midwest. G/L with the search.:up:

Oh and hugh lay off. You didn't contribute to the thread by calling me out and I did help out in my first post.

[bmwpower]

Instead of returning the car, which you already said is probably not likely, try to ask the uncle for some money towards the repair. The worst he could say is FU.

[Lance Racing]

Did you buy this car because you wanted an AWD E30? You are going to be more money into this car than it is worth unless you are doing all the labor on your own.

[reccaoconnor]

What did the car originally cost you?

[ploobIX88]

i did buy the car because i wanted an AWD E30. i paid 4700 for the car... which now im thinking was wayyy too much. everything i was told about the car made it seem like it was completely worth the money... that and i sold my previous car for the same amount so it was pretty much an even trade.

[mikeedler]

maybe it was just a halfshaft-- that failed, and he really didnt know.--

[Tbolt]

4700 could have got you a 24v swapped car. Pics of this car though...is the body mint or something?

[nando]

maybe it was just a halfshaft-- that failed, and he really didnt know.--

it would still move with a broken halfshaft. since it doesn't move, the VC is fried.

you got screwed, you could have gotten a mint one for $4700 :(

[ploobIX88]

yea i pretty much got screwed... the body isnt mint but its in pretty good shape. i was just too excited to get an e30 and didnt do enough research about the cars beforehand. hopefully something good will come out of this