Replace actuator gears only - or the whole thing? Failure rate?

[lockeed]

I'm about to pull the trigger on a set of replacement throttle actuator gears w/ shafts. I've been told by some E90 owners who tried replacing the gears only, that they ended up having to replace the whole thing in the end... which meant there was some issues with the electronics as well...

What do you guys think? Any of you had long term success replacing the gears only?

[Siajoon]

save yourself time, just replace the entire unit.

[Aktavate]

To me its a matter of if you want to maybe mess with them again in the future. I just bought a pair of rebuilt ones from mpower motorsports and I know they not only fix the gears but beef up all of the electronics inside which is apparently just as likely to be a problem as the gears.

[cognoscenti]

Originally Posted by Aktavate

To me its a matter of if you want to maybe mess with them again in the future. I just bought a pair of rebuilt ones from mpower motorsports and I know they not only fix the gears but beef up all of the electronics inside which is apparently just as likely to be a problem as the gears.

This. In addition, the MPower warranty is lifetime, with unlimited miles. I haven't yet had an actuator failure *knock on wood*, but when it happens I know who I will be contacting that day.

[drrust]

It depends, are you already getting codes? If so either get a set of rebuilt ones or buy new from FCP Euro (lifetime warranty). If you're not getting codes replacing the gears makes some sense. I had replaced mine before getting any codes (bought from Odometer Gears). After 2 years (~45,000 miles) started throwing codes. I replaced with a rebuilt set from MPower. If you do replace the gears and they don't last, you will know how to access them and can do it a second time more quickly.

[BeaterM3]

Originally Posted by lockeed

I'm about to pull the trigger on a set of replacement throttle actuator gears w/ shafts. I've been told by some E90 owners who tried replacing the gears only, that they ended up having to replace the whole thing in the end... which meant there was some issues with the electronics as well...

What do you guys think? Any of you had long term success replacing the gears only?

It all depends on if the circuit board is burnt out or not. Just buy used working low mileage TAs off Ebay check the gears and replace if needed.

I bought 2 TAs with 50k miles for $250. If the gears need to be switched I can get gears for $65 a set.

[jd501]

Originally Posted by lockeed

I'm about to pull the trigger on a set of replacement throttle actuator gears w/ shafts. I've been told by some E90 owners who tried replacing the gears only, that they ended up having to replace the whole thing in the end... which meant there was some issues with the electronics as well...

What do you guys think? Any of you had long term success replacing the gears only?

I had an indy replace the gears (per their suggestion), and it failed again the next day (so the gears weren't the issue).

[pbonsalb]

I had mixed results with the gears and even bought 2 used ones and changed the gears in them as well. Waste of money and a pain in the rear troubleshooting and swapping them left to right to test and in and out to find ones that worked out of the 4. One lasted a year or two, one lasted several years and 2 failed very quickly. I recommend buying the rebuilt actuators from mpower. They are the best value.

[lockeed]

Yes, i got limp mode and codes often... so I decided to buy two new actuators. Cost a lot, but at least I'll do the job once and be done with it...

Huge thanks to Sean at Exoparts in Ontario for an awesome deal and impeccable service as usual.

[Throatpunch]

When the gears are worn it messes up the electronics which is why replacing the gears is pointless. Also dont buy used Ta’s on ebay because u will just shorten the replacement cycle on the ebay setup (if they last 60-70k and you buy used ones with 50k on them what is the point?)

[Kamen]

I'd just buy them from FCP Euro(lifetime replacement warranty) and not waste my time, trying to save a couple of hundred $.

[BeaterM3]

Originally Posted by Throatpunch

When the gears are worn it messes up the electronics which is why replacing the gears is pointless. Also dont buy used Ta’s on ebay because u will just shorten the replacement cycle on the ebay setup (if they last 60-70k and you buy used ones with 50k on them what is the point?)

For me, the point was saving 800 bucks. I am on original TAs at 82k. I'll at most put 15k miles on my M3 in 4 years. If my TAs go out soon, I have a pair of TAs with 50k miles, working boards and good gears that should last me at least another 15k mile that only cost me $250.

Also the boards short circuit and fry when the already worn worn gears keep slipping and you keep driving on them before changing them out.

[im4ipsc]

Originally Posted by Aktavate

To me its a matter of if you want to maybe mess with them again in the future. I just bought a pair of rebuilt ones from mpower motorsports and I know they not only fix the gears but beef up all of the electronics inside which is apparently just as likely to be a problem as the gears.

same here, go with mpowermotorsports

[pbonsalb]

Originally Posted by revengeismine

Also the boards short circuit and fry when the already worn worn gears keep slipping and you keep driving on them before changing them out.

That is one theory. Another is that the electronics simply fail over time and with use. But for your purpose of driving very little and your goal of minimizing expenses and your situation of presently having 2 working actuators, buying a known to be working used set and replacement gears should work. You will have a little less than half the cost of one rebuilt actuator into your solution. For people who drive their cars, I recommend spending a little over double to buy 2 rebuilt actuators when the first one fails.

[drrust]

In my case, I replaced gears on actuators that were not throwing codes. In my opinion the money and time I spent replacing the gears was worth it. I got at least 40,000 miles out of them. I had picked up a spare actuator from Deansbimmer to have a hot spare, I daily my car. This allowed me to replace the failed actuator while waiting for actuators from MPower (timing seems to vary). I still keep my hot spare just in case.

[RC Post]

Buy OEM from FCP, replace and call it a day..

Lifetime warranty replacement

[leemik]

In the past this part used to be very expensive to replace but prices have dropped like a rock through the years and now it's not a huge issue to just buy a new one when it fails.

[sirploppy]

Originally Posted by Siajoon

save yourself time, just replace the entire unit.

Truth. Also they are cheap enough now that not doing both while you're in there is not a good idea as often as the originals fail.

[pbonsalb]

I am not aware of any improvements by bmw/vdo. If you buy new, pay extra to buy from FCP to get the lifetime warranty and hope they remain in business for your lifetime, if you plan to keep the car long term. I would expect failure at the same interval as before. The rebuilt units may be improved.