I will get my goefer to get under the car mid week with a scrubby pad & see if he can find the number...

unfortunately, the part number is not visible on the original part

Hi Leslie, Henry & X5Sport chaps,

I have found that the part number for the correct prop as quoted by ebay for my X5 D-Sport 218hp 2005 facelift.

REAR PROPSHAFT 7549298
Whether I believe ebay or not is another issue.

Anyone here have ideas if this is the correct prop or not,
as I’m still ...

Ok, I have pinpointed the noise, pinging sound when going from fwd to reverse a few inches, using an engine stethoscope

The twanging tinkling sound is so obvious now too.
It was difficult to pinpoint initially as the noise was from the rear spider bearing UJ infront of the diff.

The twanging ...

Hello again Henry Sir,
As soon as I get a minute, I will ping you a text & maybe we can have a chat to discuss disgusting X5's & all matter of vehicular woes lol.
The middle of car clicking noises is some sort of bearing, doesnt seem to be vehicle centre - centre prop bearing...
so maybe rear prop ...

Yes, I have a slide hammer... excellent for trapping a finger lol

Hi Henry Sir, how re you chap - all good i hope.

Re shaft removal... and the specific bit of raising hub 20mm - this proved impossible due to me having +50mm lift heavy duty hard springs on the rear, so, I got some 300mm spring clamps that I have cut down to 140mm long, just enough to get the ...

lots of you tube vids for front shafts, & the rear shaft should separate from the CV with a firm thwack i would have thought.... As i was pondering yanking the shaft from the outer cv joint, then fitting a new boot if the CV couldn't come out, & fitting the boot to the joint in situ from under the ...

i have looked for threads on this, but no joy yet.

many thanks Richard

well, the replacement diff is SILENT - blissfully so, but the original unit was masking other assorted issues.
The old diff must have been on the way out for 2 years, as i am now hearing several new noises...

Now trying to get the rear half shafts out without having to strip the rear suspension ...

Question :

My X5 Diesel has heavy duty coil springs as replacements for the rear suspension air bags...

Possibly due to being coil springs (possibly needing Compressing), it is proving impossible to remove the rear half shafts to fit new CV boots..
SO
If the vehicle still had air bags, is it ...

I think Hell must have frozen over.... or you were dreaming Sir...

Just a pipe dream lol

Hi Henry,
Didnt get under it today, but hoping to tomorrow.

I got ideas of a Dodge Challenger for my next vehicle.

Hi Henry,
I know my shield is just sat on the exhausts & no remaining fit points, but the noise is that of tight pinging bearings