E89 door actuator removal

bigwinn · Post by **bigwinn** » Thu May 08, 2025 9:57 pm

Evening all

I’ve done several door actuator replacement on e85s and although complex/fiddly they are very doable

I’ve got the same job on an e89. Drivers side. I managed to find the TIS article on it and it says:

- window glass removal is necessary
- a special tool is needed for glass removal
- a special tool is needed for loading the door lock striker mech

Is that right?

Also- going back to e85s, the door lock barrel inserts into the actuator but the e89 doesn’t seem to do that? Is that right?

Anyone done this before and have any tips or guides?

Cheers

Stuart

Argyll Andy · Post by **Argyll Andy** » Thu May 08, 2025 10:22 pm

cerbera, Nick, would you be able to advise Stuart?

Stuart, I’ll drop Nick a text and let him know I’ve tagged him in your query

DiscoDaveZ4 · Post by **DiscoDaveZ4** » Thu May 08, 2025 10:55 pm

Changed my door actuator today and found the following very helpful. In all honesty I was worried, but was rather straightforward.

In regards to special tools, I used a M5 (8mm) spanner and a 10mm socket and various torq sizes

M5 spanner allowed easy adjustment of window and the 10mm socket used (BMW special tool 51 3 300)

Ideal spanner due to length, please tie a piece of string to it, so that you don't drop it into the door.

https://amzn.eu/d/iSGnfQW

How to...

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=TJ3FkjeL9TE

https://charm.li/BMW/2009/Z4%20sDrive30 ... nt%20Door/

bigwinn · Post by **bigwinn** » Fri May 09, 2025 6:45 am

Argyll Andy wrote: Thu May 08, 2025 10:22 pm cerbera, Nick, would you be able to advise Stuart?

Stuart, I’ll drop Nick a text and let him know I’ve tagged him in your query

Thanks Andy

bigwinn · Post by **bigwinn** » Fri May 09, 2025 6:46 am

DiscoDaveZ4 wrote: Thu May 08, 2025 10:55 pm Changed my door actuator today and found the following very helpful. In all honesty I was worried, but was rather straightforward.

In regards to special tools, I used a M5 (8mm) spanner and a 10mm socket and various torq sizes

M5 spanner allowed easy adjustment of window and the 10mm socket used (BMW special tool 51 3 300)

Ideal spanner due to length, please tie a piece of string to it, so that you don't drop it into the door.

https://amzn.eu/d/iSGnfQW

How to...

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=TJ3FkjeL9TE

https://charm.li/BMW/2009/Z4%20sDrive30 ... nt%20Door/

That’s useful thank you!!

cerbera · Post by **cerbera** » Fri May 09, 2025 7:22 am

The problem for me wasn't the actuator but the rod that goes from the actuator to the pop up lock button. I had replaced my black door cards with red ones and it seems I put a slight bend in the rod and that was putting too much stress on the actuator, once 'tweaked' all was good.

I'd check the actuator function with the door card off to rule out the issue I had.

bigwinn · Post by **bigwinn** » Fri May 09, 2025 7:25 am

cerbera wrote: Fri May 09, 2025 7:22 am The problem for me wasn't the actuator but the rod that goes from the actuator to the pop up lock button. I had replaced my black door cards with red ones and it seems I put a slight bend in the rod and that was putting too much stress on the actuator, once 'tweaked' all was good.

I'd check the actuator function with the door card off to rule out the issue I had.

No use of special tools Nick?

And unbolting and removing the old one- done by removing the 3 bolts plus the Bowden cable?

cerbera · Post by **cerbera** » Fri May 09, 2025 7:58 am

I didn't need to remove the actuator as it was the rod from the actuator that goes up through the door card to the lock button.

bigwinn · Post by **bigwinn** » Fri May 09, 2025 8:07 am

Gotcha

Thanks Nick

bigwinn · Post by **bigwinn** » Fri May 09, 2025 8:08 am

DiscoDaveZ4 wrote: Thu May 08, 2025 10:55 pm Changed my door actuator today and found the following very helpful. In all honesty I was worried, but was rather straightforward.

In regards to special tools, I used a M5 (8mm) spanner and a 10mm socket and various torq sizes

M5 spanner allowed easy adjustment of window and the 10mm socket used (BMW special tool 51 3 300)

Ideal spanner due to length, please tie a piece of string to it, so that you don't drop it into the door.

https://amzn.eu/d/iSGnfQW

How to...

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=TJ3FkjeL9TE

https://charm.li/BMW/2009/Z4%20sDrive30 ... nt%20Door/

Dave

Did you need to remove the glass to do this?

Stuart

DiscoDaveZ4 · Post by **DiscoDaveZ4** » Sat May 10, 2025 5:27 pm

HI Stuart, to do a full actuator replacement, yes the window has to be removed. Drop me a message or I can send you my number and I can give you an overview

bigwinn · Post by **bigwinn** » Sat May 10, 2025 6:50 pm

Cheers Dave will do

bigwinn · Post by **bigwinn** » Fri Jul 04, 2025 2:21 pm

Just to round this one off

I will do a ‘how to’ guide for posterity but I forgot to take pics

If you read TIS is says you need to remove the glass and need 2 special tools

Spoiler- you don’t

A much simpler job than expected. And I wonder why BMW would instruct that things need to be done that don’t…

Stuart

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