X5 Transfer Case Actuator Motor Gear Replacement

[dkl]

Originally Posted by Crowz

You want the resistor that came on your car. Thats the secret. Dont use the resistor that is on the motor when you buy it.

The resistor is for the calibration of the clutch in the transfer case not for the actuator motor. They include the resistor in case your resistor is bad or missing.

Understood. I was just trying to say that some units may not come with a resistor, so you'll have to swap it over regardless if that's the case.

[richardb]

Still get a lot of diagnosis questions, how to tell if the gear has failed. I made this update video a few months ago, hope it helps:

https://youtu.be/Rn6fEjPcXzk

[cn90]

I need an update re brand.

Just looking at online, ebay, amazon etc., there are so many vendors out there.

I understand this is just a plastic part that costs some $10-$15 but just want to buy a good-brand part.

Any recommendations?

[deepblonde]

Originally Posted by cn90

I need an update re brand.

Just looking at online, ebay, amazon etc., there are so many vendors out there.

I understand this is just a plastic part that costs some $10-$15 but just want to buy a good-brand part.

Any recommendations?

BMW now offer a repair kit, so I guess that’d probably be high quality;

There’s also aftermarket aluminum version;

although a plastic gear probably is better as it’s the material designed to mesh and wear and possibly be the deliberate weak point ,
potentially saving a more expensive part from breaking…

[X5chemist]

Originally Posted by cn90

I understand this is just a plastic part that costs some $10-$15 but just want to buy a good-brand part.

Any recommendations?

My X5 had the trifecta on when I bought it. I replaced the worn gear myself. Instead of plastic, I went carbon fiber. A little more expensive but worth it.

[TheFixer]

Originally Posted by X5chemist

My X5 had the trifecta on when I bought it. I replaced the worn gear myself. Instead of plastic, I went carbon fiber. A little more expensive but worth it.

There's also a brass gear. I tried that one. I think I got it from autohouseAZ for 70 bucks.

[cn90]

I read somewhere on the web that people strongly recommend plastic bc if anything breaks, the plastic breaks first to avoid damage to the TC?

IIRC, people say don't use brass gear???

[cn90]

Also,

For those who re-used the factory plastic and flipped it around 180 degrees, how long does that last?

[X5chemist]

Same as or less than miles on the 180 side. The problem is BMW lack of lubrication. Mine had 143k miles on it. All the trifecta lights were on. I don't know for how many miles the lights were on. I used the light info to get the purchase price down knowing well I could fix it.

Pic 1- BMW lube
Pic 2- worn stock gear vs carbon fiber
Pic 3- install and high temp synthetic grease.

After an adaptive test, all codes reset. It definitely pulls hard with all four wheels.