Transfer case actuator motor

[Nik]

take it off and strip it manually. there you go.

[Tomk0602]

what would cause oil leak? i'm going to the dealer to cause havoc! any ideas what i can argue about?

[Sterling 4.4]

Let me know if the dealer gives in or how you "modify" it. I thought about stripping the plastic cog wheel.

[JCL]

Leaks aren't covered by your warranty policy. If you take it off and destroy it, it is pretty easy to tell that is has been off, just from the marks on the bolts.

Do you honestly want to try and commit fraud and see if the dealer calls you out?

[Nik]

At worst, you can go yo junkies if it fails. What could used part cost? 200$ maybe?

[Sterling 4.4]

My AC compressor failed and I had the X into my regular dealers service department (replacing under warranty, but waiting for it from Europe). I mentioned I noticed oil where I parked and asked them to take a look. They found the leaky actuator on their own and replaced it under my 100K factory extended warranty.

So how can one dealer say no it isn't covered and another replaced it - no questions asked?

[JCL]

Originally Posted by Sterling 4.4

So how can one dealer say no it isn't covered and another replaced it - no questions asked?

Just guessing here, but either they thought it was covered and won't get reimbursed by BMW when they submit their claim, or they described the failure differently in order to get paid. That strategy only works until they get caught.

[ToddL]

I have a 2005 X5 4.4i which just turned over 120k. Last week I had the 4x4 light come on followed by the Brake and ABS. I noticed that when I switched the vehicle off, I heard a distinct knocking sound coming from under the car for a few seconds, like the sound of a stripped gear.

So, I took the transfer case actuator off the vehicle, partially disassembled it to the point of pulling the worm gear out, and noticed that "the gear" was indeed stripped, just like discussed above. I also noticed that it was only stripped on about half of the teeth, all on one side. The other half of the gear looked like it had never been touched. I'm not certain, but it appears to me that the actuator only utilizes half of the gear or only 180 degrees.

I turned the stripped gear 180 degrees and reinstalled it on the transfer case. Only time will tell if this will last me another 120k, but it did fix the 4x4, Brake and ABS lights. No codes, no warnings and it didn't cost me a dime.

I'll let you all know if this holds up, but so far, so good.

[neilrmp]

Originally Posted by ToddL

I turned the stripped gear 180 degrees and reinstalled it on the transfer case. Only time will tell if this will last me another 120k, but it did fix the 4x4, Brake and ABS lights. No codes, no warnings and it didn't cost me a dime.

I'll let you all know if this holds up, but so far, so good.

I did the same, it lasted about two months, when you accelerate aggressively it slips, then after time strips again..

[GABRIEL]

Originally Posted by ToddL

I have a 2005 X5 4.4i which just turned over 120k. Last week I had the 4x4 light come on followed by the Brake and ABS. I noticed that when I switched the vehicle off, I heard a distinct knocking sound coming from under the car for a few seconds, like the sound of a stripped gear.

So, I took the transfer case actuator off the vehicle, partially disassembled it to the point of pulling the worm gear out, and noticed that "the gear" was indeed stripped, just like discussed above. I also noticed that it was only stripped on about half of the teeth, all on one side. The other half of the gear looked like it had never been touched. I'm not certain, but it appears to me that the actuator only utilizes half of the gear or only 180 degrees.

I turned the stripped gear 180 degrees and reinstalled it on the transfer case. Only time will tell if this will last me another 120k, but it did fix the 4x4, Brake and ABS lights. No codes, no warnings and it didn't cost me a dime.

I'll let you all know if this holds up, but so far, so good.

ToddL, I just fix the actuator on my 2006 X5 with 85362 miles using the same technique as you did, can you please tell me if your still works good and how many miles since you fix it.

Thank you