Throttle Actuator replacement

[Redd]

Rebuild.org.uk offers lifetime warranty on their rebuilt actuators, and much cheaper than new. They even offer a core exchange for a 300 quid deposit.

[Thik]

I just finished the DIY on throttle actuator replacement. I ordered two from the States, $560 USD each. Had it shipped to a US address and I picked up. Paid the HST at the border. With the exchange. It came to $1,700 CDN for both.

I'm not very mechanically inclined. But I attempted DIY today and just finished switching out both actuators. I followed the DIY threads and Youtube videos. It was a bitch for the most part, and it took me a good 6 hours...but all of that was due to this being my first time doing it, not knowing what to do after each step, not having all the right tools at first and just really taking my time and being very careful.

For anyone doing this the second or third time, I can't imagine it taking more than 2 hours. Knowing all the steps, having all the tools can make this a breeze.

[ekfc63]

My '08 M3 is at 128,000kms. Bank 1 actuator was replaced at 78,000kms. Bank 2 actuator has been acting up for about 3 weeks. Its in the shop today having both actuators replaced as I write. Rather than pay the $2,500 I was quoted by my local BMW dealer to have a single actuator replaced (that will fail again in the future), I bought a couple off Jason at Rebuild.org.uk in the UK. They came within 2 working days which is amazing. The cost was UKP 450 plus shipping which came to +/- cdn $800. I found a reputable shop locally to do the work. They quoted me max 7hrs @ $105/hr. I pick my car up at the end of the day. Heres hoping this is the end of my actuator issues!

[tokic_o]

Originally Posted by ekfc63

My '08 M3 is at 128,000kms. Bank 1 actuator was replaced at 78,000kms. Bank 2 actuator has been acting up for about 3 weeks. Its in the shop today having both actuators replaced as I write. Rather than pay the $2,500 I was quoted by my local BMW dealer to have a single actuator replaced (that will fail again in the future), I bought a couple off Jason at Rebuild.org.uk in the UK. They came within 2 working days which is amazing. The cost was UKP 450 plus shipping which came to +/- cdn $800. I found a reputable shop locally to do the work. They quoted me max 7hrs @ $105/hr. I pick my car up at the end of the day. Heres hoping this is the end of my actuator issues!

Keep us posted! This is definitely very intriguing.

[ekfc63]

Originally Posted by tokic_o

Keep us posted! This is definitely very intriguing.

Just picked the car up. Car is running well. Shop labour cost to change out both actuators came to 6.5hrs x $105/hr = $682.50 plus taxes, so all in cost comes to around $1,800 including diagnostic fee from stealership, actuator re&re labour and shipping the old actuatiors back to Rebuild.

[kaede]

Originally Posted by ekfc63

My '08 M3 is at 128,000kms. Bank 1 actuator was replaced at 78,000kms. Bank 2 actuator has been acting up for about 3 weeks. Its in the shop today having both actuators replaced as I write. Rather than pay the $2,500 I was quoted by my local BMW dealer to have a single actuator replaced (that will fail again in the future), I bought a couple off Jason at Rebuild.org.uk in the UK. They came within 2 working days which is amazing. The cost was UKP 450 plus shipping which came to +/- cdn $800. I found a reputable shop locally to do the work. They quoted me max 7hrs @ $105/hr. I pick my car up at the end of the day. Heres hoping this is the end of my actuator issues!

7 hours is a rip... you can probably DIY in less than that taking your sweet @ss time and having a couple of beer breaks in between.

I was quoted by stealership around 2 years back (when the actuator prices is higher at around $900USD+ online) for $4400 for both banks.

I bought parts online just like you did (was lucky found an online US Dealership selling parts at around $750USD Each) and went to an Indy who did it for me for only $250 labour... Took him around 2 hours he said. Suggestion, maybe if you have a dash cam keep it on and record the whole working process and see if your guy is ripping ya off for 6-7ish hours of labour lol... Cheers!

[ekfc63]

Originally Posted by kaede

7 hours is a rip... you can probably DIY in less than that taking your sweet @ss time and having a couple of beer breaks in between.

I was quoted by stealership around 2 years back (when the actuator prices is higher at around $900USD+ online) for $4400 for both banks.

I bought parts online just like you did (was lucky found an online US Dealership selling parts at around $750USD Each) and went to an Indy who did it for me for only $250 labour... Took him around 2 hours he said. Suggestion, maybe if you have a dash cam keep it on and record the whole working process and see if your guy is ripping ya off for 6-7ish hours of labour lol... Cheers!

Yes I realize that its a rip, but still way cheaper than the BMW dealer. I did call around all the indies that I could find but all quoted me similarly. In the other actuator thread on this forum I did ask you which shop you used but didn't hear from you so had to proceed.

[doogee]

I don't know how I'm so lucky but I'm sitting at 185,000 KM with original actuators.

[rockstar93]

I'm expecting to have to do this soon.. My car is at 120k and the previous owner had 1 replaced by the dealer at ~75k. Plan is FCP Euro and DIY but not looking forward to it.

[ekfc63]

Originally Posted by rockstar93

I'm expecting to have to do this soon.. My car is at 120k and the previous owner had 1 replaced by the dealer at ~75k. Plan is FCP Euro and DIY but not looking forward to it.

I felt the same way. Using the rebuilt ones takes the sting out of it with the huge upside of a lifetime guarantee. If you can install them yourself or find someone to do it for $250 its money well spent to put this issue behind you.

[GORDON.M3]

I did it today. Took me 2 hours, easy pz.


After replacing the throttle actuators, clean and lubricate the linkages.

Also after opening my old throttle actuator, I realized that BMW didn't put enough grease to begin with, hence why the gears were grinding each other.

I might take my two actuators out and apply a high temp grease (very hot, where the actuators sit) to prevent wear on the gears again.

[TrueToBMW]

Originally Posted by GORDON.M3

I did it today. Took me 2 hours, easy pz.


After replacing the throttle actuators, clean and lubricate the linkages.

Also after opening my old throttle actuator, I realized that BMW didn't put enough grease to begin with, hence why the gears were grinding each other.

I might take my two actuators out and apply a high temp grease (very hot, where the actuators sit) to prevent wear on the gears again.

If you end up taking them apart, you mind taking a few pictures of where you are applying that grease, and what grease you used?

[jpan08]

FML. 2012 e92 M3, 67,000 miles:
Yellow brake light
DSC off
CHeck engine soon light on
Increase emission
Severe (limp mode) power reduction.

Brought it to BMW at they said its the left bank throttle actuator. Quoted me over $3K.

[TrueToBMW]

Originally Posted by jpan08

FML. 2012 e92 M3, 67,000 miles:
Yellow brake light
DSC off
CHeck engine soon light on
Increase emission
Severe (limp mode) power reduction.

Brought it to BMW at they said its the left bank throttle actuator. Quoted me over $3K.

Damn, guess it's time to order some and buy a case of beer for next weekend.

[Yvette]

Originally Posted by jpan08

FML. 2012 e92 M3, 67,000 miles:
Yellow brake light
DSC off
CHeck engine soon light on
Increase emission
Severe (limp mode) power reduction.

Brought it to BMW at they said its the left bank throttle actuator. Quoted me over $3K.

It will be another 2k for adding the right bank ta.
Diy it, its worth it

[BOOF-M3]

Originally Posted by jpan08

FML. 2012 e92 M3, 67,000 miles:
Yellow brake light
DSC off
CHeck engine soon light on
Increase emission
Severe (limp mode) power reduction.

Brought it to BMW at they said its the left bank throttle actuator. Quoted me over $3K.

Contact Abdul our forum TA savior. Abdul@mpowermotorsports

[Chromey]

Just wanted to say ty for all the info , I’m at 35km and not sure when I will need this done but it sounds like it’s inevitable. What I can’t understand is how the labour times are so different.. non mechanics diy Guys are Saying 2 hours yet dealers and shops are quoting 5-8 hours.. this seems crazy. Is that 2 hours for both actuators done or just one?

[BOOF-M3]

Originally Posted by Chromey

Just wanted to say ty for all the info , I'm at 35km and not sure when I will need this done but it sounds like it's inevitable. What I can't understand is how the labour times are so different.. non mechanics diy Guys are Saying 2 hours yet dealers and shops are quoting 5-8 hours.. this seems crazy. Is that 2 hours for both actuators done or just one?

One TA is a simple DIY, two buddies just took less than 1:45 minutes from start to finish. 5 hour charge is offensive to say the least. Especially at $100+ an hour.

[Yvette]

Originally Posted by Chromey

Just wanted to say ty for all the info , I’m at 35km and not sure when I will need this done but it sounds like it’s inevitable. What I can’t understand is how the labour times are so different.. non mechanics diy Guys are Saying 2 hours yet dealers and shops are quoting 5-8 hours.. this seems crazy. Is that 2 hours for both actuators done or just one?

if you have descent tools (magnet picker, extension, big philip driver etc...) and if its your first time, its really 3-4 hour jobs. Once you have done it, it can be done around 2-3 hours. Hardest part is taking out the plenum, the rest, unplug few connectors. Don't break the connector clips, they are easy to break.

Both actuators are located right next to each other so, might as well change both at same time. Buying online is $500 usd bnib, I wouldn't bother with rebuilt ones.

[ItsGary]

Originally Posted by Yvette

if you have descent tools (magnet picker, extension, big philip driver etc...) and if its your first time, its really 3-4 hour jobs. Once you have done it, it can be done around 2-3 hours. Hardest part is taking out the plenum, the rest, unplug few connectors. Don't break the connector clips, they are easy to break.

Both actuators are located right next to each other so, might as well change both at same time. Buying online is $500 usd bnib, I wouldn't bother with rebuilt ones.

I found the plenum being the easiest part. The clips were the worst since they're so hard.

I'd buy rebuilt ones especially if they're offered with lifetime warranty. Yah you could buy from FCP if you really want but both rebuild/mpower and FCP offer lifetime.

[Thik]

First time doing it may take 4 to 6 hours. Second time should only take 2 hours.

[sloweg]

Wow crazy prices people are charging for this. Give me $150 and I’d do it for you.