DIY: S65 Throttle Actuator

Ipson wrote

So, is the consensus replacing the gears in the throttle actuators actually solves the problem of 'limp mode'? It's the gears and not the electronics? Does anyone have any experience yet with the rebuild of the actuators? Our M3 is starting to show signs of this problem and $800 just for parts is a little hard to take. Any and all comments welcomed.

Replacing the gears is great preventative maintenece. Most of the time it's the gears that shear and can no longer grab one another but electronics can fail as well. As far as after they fail well you won't know if it was the gears or electronics until you replace the gears and give them a trial run. Unfortunately there aren't any replacement gears available currently. Alpina-527 , a forum member, is the only source for replacement gears I believe

Odometer Gears is testing replacement gears now. If the prototypes are good then production ones should be available in a few weeks. I plan to buy them and install them as preventative maintenance. They will cost $225 for a set of 4 to do both actuators.

pbonsalb wrote

Odometer Gears is testing replacement gears now. If the prototypes are good then production ones should be available in a few weeks. I plan to buy them and install them as preventative maintenance. They will cost $225 for a set of 4 to do both actuators.

+1

Any more info on their testing? I'm curious to see if failed actuators can be rebuilt to new gears only. The gears would do no good if the electrical components failed.

marksae wrote

Any more info on their testing? I'm curious to see if failed actuators can be rebuilt to new gears only. The gears would do no good if the electrical components failed.

There is no definite answer on this. Some say electronics is a lead cause and some say the gears are. Check M5board forum, there is a 90 page discussion about this.

I am willing to run that risk but understand there is a risk the problem is elsewhere for some failures. I have had probable actuator codes only once or twice so far -- 67k miles on my 08 E90M3.

kb9uwu wrote

W///, thanks again, just swapped bank 2 in 2.5 hours, start to finish. Never done any work under the hood of this car except oil changes. Would not have tackled replacement without this DIY. Like others have said, my knuckles and back hurt, but my wallet is happy! Now to start a bet around the shop when bank 1 takes a dive...

My bank one went out at 180k miles so I decided to replace both. Ouch. But I still l have the originals and plan to fix the gearing. Got an indy shop to do it for about 100 dollars.

phrozen06 wrote

My bank one went out at 180k miles so I decided to replace both. Ouch. But I still l have the originals and plan to fix the gearing. Got an indy shop to do it for about 100 dollars.

$100?! Nice! BMW would've charged your $500-1000

kb9uwu wrote

$100?! Nice! BMW would've charged your $500-1000

I think he meant to install the new gears in to the old actuators.

Just ordered my gears from odometer gears as I've had codes for both banks at different times. Bought a used TVA from a fellow member and will use that with new gears and cycle through replacing them one at a time. Should get pretty good at the repair!!

I've got two used throttle actuators ready for new gears. That's good news

pshoey wrote

Just ordered my gears from odometer gears as I've had codes for both banks at different times. Bought a used TVA from a fellow member and will use that with new gears and cycle through replacing them one at a time. Should get pretty good at the repair!!

Did he start selling them? I thought they are still in testing phase

Yep, went on sale this morning. Should have them by Wednesday.

pshoey wrote

Yep, went on sale this morning. Should have them by Wednesday.

Please provide us with detailed review on them

Will post pictures of the gears when I get them and perhaps a DIY to replace the worn ones too.

pshoey wrote

Will post pictures of the gears when I get them and perhaps a DIY to replace the worn ones too.

That would be greatly appreciated

Here are some quick pictures of the gears I purchased from odometer gears.

They have a how-to video here:

http://odometergears.com/how_to.php

I can't believe 4 small pieces of gears cost $225. What is the profit margin on these 1000% ?!

Bimmer-M3 wrote

I can't believe 4 small pieces of gears cost $225. What is the profit margin on these 1000% ?!

Supply and demand! A lot of work went into these for a small volume of sales. Cheaper than the factory option.

+1 on the manufacturing cost. Also its way cheaper alternative to fix your actuator problem unless the electronics are shot.

M3an V8 wrote

+1 on the manufacturing cost. Also its way cheaper alternative to fix your actuator problem unless the electronics are shot.

Might be cheaper but not easy DIY. I wont attempt doing it myself even though I am handy with wrench and change alot of things on the car. It is not as easy as plug and play

Bimmer-M3 wrote

I can't believe 4 small pieces of gears cost $225. What is the profit margin on these 1000% ?!

Does it matter? Appreciate the fact there is a solution.