[OffensiveDriver]

Hey guys, I've been searching a bit on this subject and I am looking for some help.

I left the car idling for about 10 minutes and when I got back into the car I got the warning in the title line.

When I drive the car, it feels as though the wheels are binding on tighter lock (when I'm turning at low speed). It almost feels like the brakes are on when I'm turning in a tight radius.

The Bavarian Technic tool shows transfer case codes 53FC (voltage) 53FD (voltage) 5462 (error actuator or increased power requirement fpr clutch) and CF61. The BT tool is unable to connect to the DSC.

The Schwaben tool shows 5462 (VTG fault servomotor or coupling force too high), 5EBA (DSC Steering-angle sensor plausibility), 5DCF (DSC Control unit undervoltage), 5F13 (DSC: Brake/pad wear, rear axel, brake pads and finally 5F3A (DSC: Transfer case: internal).

My guess would be the actuator motor but the binding is something that I have not seen anyone else describe in my searches. I've read that wheel bearings can be an issue but I checked the wheels and there doesn't seem to any axial movement.

The thing that has me puzzled is the binding at low speed in a tight turn.

BTW, there is no grinding noise…

Any help would be appreciated

[OffensiveDriver]

Yeah. I give up.

I started to take the actuator out and figured "how is the actuator locking the front wheels when I turn"?

I doubt it is. F it. Going to the stealer.

[OffensiveDriver]

Nick Alexander BMW service advisor first said the problem was the transfer case and when I pressed him he said we'll actually it's the actuator motor but since the car has 120k miles, the mechanic suggested replacing the transfer case. WTF ?

Has anybody ever heard of a transfer case or an actuator motor causing the front wheels to lock up when turning sharply ?

[Yangorang]

The 5F3A code usually seems to point to the transfer case actuator motor from what most people are saying. It doesn't seem too unusual to see one fail on a vehicle with 100k+ miles.
http://www.justanswer.com/bmw/75sww-...-internal.html
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=633200

ucdbiendog says his transfer case bit the dust at 124k which you're not too far from - seems like dealer's recommendation is solid.
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1317462

[OffensiveDriver]

I don't know about the dealer's assessment being solid, I think it was a little more loose as far as stool goes…

Dealer suggested I spend $5K+ to replace the transfer case. Lol.

I bought the cncskater actuator gear kit for $139 delivered. Beautiful kit with the removal tool. The video makes it simple. I used Super Lube in the planetary gear case, replaced all seals and the resistor, buttoned it up and replaced the fluid with RAVENOL J1C1125 Transfer Case Fluid TF-0870, cleared all codes and reset all transfer case functions/adaptations. Simple job.

Runs perfectly.

I assume that the front wheels were binding at tight lock was because the transfer case was stuck in high engagement and for whatever reason, the xdrive was actuating the brakes. Lesson learned.

Anyone needing the puller tool in Los Angeles feel free to PM me.

[stashtrey]

So glad to read you went with that guys kit from eBay. Awesome stuff he did there. Worked flawlessly on my end and was about a 5 on a scale of 1-10 in difficulty. Sooo much satisfaction beating bmw at the parts/service racket with diy's like this.

::high 5::

[Sergio_n52]

I have the same binding issue when turning slow speeds only just replaced servo motor and resistor and oil with ravenol also but don’t have scanner to reset adaptions im left with code 54c4 calibration faulty is resetting adaptations necessary?