Help me locate a rebuilt ATC-500

[PropellerHead]

Welp- Nearly 180k miles and almost 20 years, it's time for a new transfer case or a rebuild for the '04 4.8is. The BMW dealer network is out of the factory parts. I am weighing the rebuild locally vs the new part in whole.

Any thoughts on rebuild services, replacement parts or the like? Thx, fellas. I have ab 6 weeks before I take my little road trip partner off to college. I'll be towing for the 1st time. That should be its own parade of hilarity.

[jsoto]

Props. I've used these guys to replace the chain on mine out of OCD Preventative Maintence if you want to give them gander

https://cobratransmission.com/BMW-ATC500-Tranfer-Case

[PropellerHead]

Originally Posted by jsoto

Props. I've used these guys to replace the chain on mine out of OCD Preventative Maintence if you want to give them gander

https://cobratransmission.com/BMW-ATC500-Tranfer-Case

Thanks! I have heard fof these guys. A buddy replaced his Honda with one and he was happy. Didn't know they do ATC500's! I have already asked about delivery times.

[PropellerHead]

Originally Posted by PropellerHead

Thanks! I have heard fof these guys. A buddy replaced his Honda with one and he was happy. Didn't know they do ATC500's! I have already asked about delivery times.

Anyone ever heard of Zumbrota? I haven't, but they have pretty good availability.

[andrewwynn]

https://usedtransfercases4all.com/

Very happy with these guys. $500 including shipping and six month warranty.

[PropellerHead]

Update: Evidently, there is an actuator rebuild kit available. At the least, I was advised that building THIS would tell us if the actual Xfer case was fncked. All tested OK after the $400 rebuild (vs a $2k unit).

And it turns out that the rebuild for the actuator may have (actuator'ed) WORKED! So, the stock Xfer case remains. Less than 45 days before we send the baby girl and her little 128i coupe off to college. This will be a moment for the E53. I intend to hook up a a U-Haul for the 1st ever tow (that wasn't 4 bicycles) on the E53. Let's see how THAT goes.

How to tow anything in ANY car advice now accepted. I haven't towed anything ever before.

[wpoll]

Originally Posted by PropellerHead

Update: Evidently, there is an actuator rebuild kit available. At the least, I was advised that building THIS would tell us if the actual Xfer case was fncked. All tested OK after the $400 rebuild (vs a $2k unit).

And it turns out that the rebuild for the actuator may have (actuator'ed) WORKED! So, the stock Xfer case remains. Less than 45 days before we send the baby girl and her little 128i coupe off to college. This will be a moment for the E53. I intend to hook up a a U-Haul for the 1st ever tow (that wasn't 4 bicycles) on the E53. Let's see how THAT goes.

How to tow anything in ANY car advice now accepted. I haven't towed anything ever before.

Great news transfer case - sounds like you didged a bullet there. Having said that, the ATC500 t'fer case itself seems to be near indestructable.

As for towing... well, where do you start. I guess thet first thing is... you have the factoy tow hitch and towing (wiring) module? This is a good idea, as the module detects when a trailer is attached and beyond extending the lamp hot & cold monitoring features of the LCM to the trailer lamps, it also disables the rear parking sensors and modifies the ABS and DSC profiles to make the vehicle more stable with a trailer when cornering and braking.

[Clavurion]

Originally Posted by PropellerHead

Update: Evidently, there is an actuator rebuild kit available. At the least, I was advised that building THIS would tell us if the actual Xfer case was fncked. All tested OK after the $400 rebuild (vs a $2k unit).

And it turns out that the rebuild for the actuator may have (actuator'ed) WORKED!

Do you mean the repair gear set which is available as original BMW part and costs about 110€? Part nr. 27102413711

[PropellerHead]

Originally Posted by Clavurion

Do you mean the repair gear set which is available as original BMW part and costs about 110€? Part nr. 27102413711

Yep, that must be the one! I am expecting ~2hrs of labor for the rebuild. That's WAY better (to me) than an aftermarket TC.

[Clavurion]

Originally Posted by PropellerHead

Yep, that must be the one! I am expecting ~2hrs of labor for the rebuild. That's WAY better (to me) than an aftermarket TC.

Easily done under 2 hours. If you haven't bought the parts yet it can usually be repaired by rotating the wheel half a turn, because less than half of it is in active use.