Transfer case actuator motor

[rayxi]

How did you know the gear was stripped? Did you disassemble the actuator? If so, do you have pictures?

[Martin-C]

Here is a photo of the TC Actuator motor for E53 showing the plastic gear. I found this on 4wheelsautoparts.com who carry a lot of genuine replacement parts.
I went searching because I am having the same problems described with my 2004 X5. My local dealer says that I have to replace the actuator motor but I'm seriously considering having the gear built of bronze or similar material.

[neilrmp]

Yes I did disassembled it and saw the gear, but sorry I din not take pictures, I have the old one I could do it again with pics

[rayxi]

If it will take you more than 5 minutes then don't bother. There's only a faint hope that I'll be able to repair it that way.

[neilrmp]

Yep, I changed the entire unit, I bought it for about $800, it's the best thing to do.

[MYWRIGHTMAN]

WHAT IS GT1? AND WHAT DOES IT DO..

[MYWRIGHTMAN]

NEILRMP...COUPLE OF QUESTIONS FOR YOU: TURNS OUT THAT SOMEONE CHANGED MY FLUID AND PUT ATF FLUID IN THE TRANSFER,,,DO YOU THINK THIS WOULD CAUSE THE MOTOR TO FAIL? WHAT IS SO SPECIAL ABOUT THE BMW FLUID $53.00
FLUID?

[neilrmp]

Originally Posted by MYWRIGHTMAN

NEILRMP...COUPLE OF QUESTIONS FOR YOU: TURNS OUT THAT SOMEONE CHANGED MY FLUID AND PUT ATF FLUID IN THE TRANSFER,,,DO YOU THINK THIS WOULD CAUSE THE MOTOR TO FAIL? WHAT IS SO SPECIAL ABOUT THE BMW FLUID $53.00
FLUID?

I know there are replacement fluid which are less expensive than the BMW fluid that work fine, I don't think the fluid will cause the actuator to fail because it is separate from the case itself, the gear is made from a soft plastic, I am guessing that was replaced in the newer models.

[JCL]

I don't think there are alternative transfer case fluids for the x-drive models. Dexron works fine in the non x-drive versions, but the fluid friction characteristics will be specific with the BMW fluid designed for the x-drive case, since there are clutch plates.

It is also important to reset the adaptations after replacing the fluid in an x-drive transfer case. You need a BMW service computer for that. The adaptations interpret how much clutch pressure is required in the transfer case, depending on fluid and clutch plate condition.

IMO, a mistake in either of the above could conceivably cause a problem with the actuator motor, since the vehicle computer is continually controlling he actuator, to modify transfer case clutch pressure, in order to vary the driveline torque.

[rayxi]

Originally Posted by JCL

IMO, a mistake in either of the above could conceivably cause a problem with the actuator motor, since the vehicle computer is continually controlling he actuator, to modify transfer case clutch pressure, in order to vary the driveline torque.

Jeff, I have the dreaded transmission slam problem. Do you think the two are related? Is there a chance that a new actuator motor will fail again if I continue to have the transmission issue?

My indie scanned my X5 and has come up with transfer case codes twice now in the last few months. He recommended replacing the actuator motor.