VTG Actuator Replacement 4x4, ABS, Brake Lights

[SLX5]

Need some help

I had the 4x4, ABS, & brake light pop up. Thought it may be the battery since its old, replaced it no luck

Took it to the Indy shop. They said its the VTG Actuator. About $900 for the part and $1300 in labor. Has this happened to anyone else. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

[SlickGT1]

Originally Posted by SLX5

Need some help

I had the 4x4, ABS, & brake light pop up. Thought it may be the battery since its old, replaced it no luck

Took it to the Indy shop. They said its the VTG Actuator. About $900 for the part and $1300 in labor. Has this happened to anyone else. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

$1300 in labor. Holy shit, are they on crack. It comes out with 3 torx screws in 5 minutes if you are a monkey and saw a wrench for the first time. No way it should cost that much. They are raping you because of the emblem.

Flip the gear and go to sleep knowing you saved yourself $2100. Do not go to that shop again. That is plane rape.

I am pretty sure ECS has that actuator for less than 900 also if you want to buy a new one.

[SLX5]

SlickGt1, I was just reading your other posts. You have been very helpful. Is it possible to access this, with the car on ramps or does it need to be raised of the ground?

You don't have any pics by any chance do you?

Originally Posted by SlickGT1

$1300 in labor. Holy shit, are they on crack. It comes out with 3 torx screws in 5 minutes if you are a monkey and saw a wrench for the first time. No way it should cost that much. They are raping you because of the emblem.

Flip the gear and go to sleep knowing you saved yourself $2100. Do not go to that shop again. That is plane rape.

I am pretty sure ECS has that actuator for less than 900 also if you want to buy a new one.

[SlickGT1]

Originally Posted by SLX5

SlickGt1, I was just reading your other posts. You have been very helpful. Is it possible to access this, with the car on ramps or does it need to be raised of the ground?

You don't have any pics by any chance do you?

I did it on ramps, rear ramps only for this one. Didn't need all 4. Yea just follow what I wrote. Once you see it, you will understand. You will have it out, marked, motor removed, gear flipped, and re-installed in 30 min. Probably less time then it takes to get to a shop. One of the bolts you will have to find by feel, as you can't see it from your position on the ground. Once you feel it, you will understand what you need. Really easy job. No oil, nothing to spill out on top of you either.

Get under there, get a beer, and get it done.

I didn't take pics. It was very late, and I didn't want to touch my phone. I though it would have taken me longer so I didn't stop for pics. I was shocked that it went really smooth.

[SLX5]

Originally Posted by SlickGT1

I did it on ramps, rear ramps only for this one. Didn't need all 4. Yea just follow what I wrote. Once you see it, you will understand. You will have it out, marked, motor removed, gear flipped, and re-installed in 30 min. Probably less time then it takes to get to a shop. One of the bolts you will have to find by feel, as you can't see it from your position on the ground. Once you feel it, you will understand what you need. Really easy job. No oil, nothing to spill out on top of you either.

Get under there, get a beer, and get it done.

I didn't take pics. It was very late, and I didn't want to touch my phone. I though it would have taken me longer so I didn't stop for pics. I was shocked that it went really smooth.

I got the actuator off, but I can't seem to get the plate off of there. Does it just come apart or do I need to do something else to get it off. Tryingto get to the gears

[SlickGT1]

Don't take plate off.

[SlickGT1]

You mark the white gear and mark the metal. Basically mark 12 o'clock on gear and plate. 1 mark as a reference because the gear will spin freely once the motor is out. Once motor is out, turn the gear to be at 6 o'clock. When putting motor in, it will move the white gear, you will see your mark will move from 6 o'clock. So take the motor out and adjust the gear to compensate for the motor turning the gear. Once you put motor in, you should be at 6 o'clock again.

Look inside the motor hole, you will see the plastic gear is rounded. Just trust your mark. Do 180 and you will be good.