Hi can anyone tell me what would cause the clicking / crunching sound when my x5 (55) is put into reverse, this has just happened since car was in garage to have new brake bulb replaced. Is it possible it was forced out of gear without pressing the brake pedal ? Garage has now had car for 3 days.

It is more than possible if the gear selector has been forced... Where exactly is the noise? If you think its around your left ankle as you move the car then gearbox/linkage issue...

Is it happening only in reverse gear?

Cheers for the reply. It is only happening when in reverse. It is at the rear end when reverse is engaged and you start to move that's when the crunching noise starts.

Really hard to diagnose anything by description but her goes. When sitting at rest engine running foot on the brake select D or R any noise or lurch or clunk? If not I would say no issues with the linkage or box. When starting to reverse is there a single clunk/crunch noise or is it continuous?

Single noise I would check the sub-frame bushes suspension bushes exhaust and heat shield mounts. If continuous I would look for something rubbing on a wheel, brake disc's, drive shafts etc, if the noise is a continuous clicking check the transfer box, chains are known to wear and jump as are front prop shafts. Have you checked oil levels in the diffs and transfer box? Good Luck

I'll go with that Dave... Has to be interference in the drive/running gear at axle

Cheers lads. Its with BMW garage today as Halfords have screwed up the gear at the axle

Fingers crossed its not expensive let us know what it is?