97 318i groaning clutch noise HELP

[scottie00]

When clutch is pushed in clutch makes groaning noise.. Only thing I can compare it to is the sound you power steering pump makes when it is out of fluid.. Advice PLEASE!

[epmedia]

Could be the pilot and/or throwout bearing.
You needs a whole kit, do it...

[scottie00]

Thanks! Any definate way to tell?

[flyfishvt]

i had a similar thing. The clutch pedal felt kind of rough or notchy when I pushed it in and it did make a faint groan noise. Turned out the be the pivot pin for the clutch fork.

Unfortunately there is no easy way to tell whats going on without removing the tranny. Even with one of those fiber optic cameras you'll only get a look inside. What you really need to do is "feel" the throw out bearing and pivot pin and other items.

[scottie00]

Thanks! Is their alot to pulling the transmission never pulled one before?

[flyfishvt]

Thanks! Is their alot to pulling the transmission never pulled one before?


Yes its a very bit job. Not impossible but you should expect to be without the car for a few days. If you have access to a lift it will go much faster. I removed the 5 speed on my old 325 twice. Both times I did it on jack stands in my carport. having a lift would have easily cut the time in half.

Your problem is probably going to involve an inexpensive part. If you bring it somewhere to have it done you can figure on paying for 6-8 hours of labor.

[SWISS]

Thanks! Is their alot to pulling the transmission never pulled one before?
it's nice to have the intake off and a friend to help line you up on the bolt heads. The starter's like to get stuck on the dowel pin and lining up on some bolts requires you to use about 32" worth of extensions preferably with wobble cuts on the ends. E8,12,14 sockets.
Clutch slave nuts are 13mm take that out without undoing line preferred.
Drop exhaust and dshaft. Place jack under pan with wood block, remove trans brace. remove all small torx bolts and 10mm bolt on dust cover on backside of bellhousing behind exhaust manifold. This is often overlooked and causes a problem when you are trying to pull one. Then jack up engine and lower as needed to access bolts. To reinstall be sure pivot fork and TB are lined up and jack the motor in front to lower the back as much as you can without smashing the wall and it will stab way easier.

[flyfishvt]

it's nice to have the intake off and a friend to help line you up on the bolt heads. The starter's like to get stuck on the dowel pin and lining up on some bolts requires you to use about 32" worth of extensions preferably with wobble cuts on the ends. E8,12,14 sockets.
Clutch slave nuts are 13mm take that out without undoing line preferred.
Drop exhaust and dshaft. Place jack under pan with wood block, remove trans brace. remove all small torx bolts and 10mm bolt on dust cover on backside of bellhousing behind exhaust manifold. This is often overlooked and causes a problem when you are trying to pull one. Then jack up engine and lower as needed to access bolts. To reinstall be sure pivot fork and TB are lined up and jack the motor in front to lower the back as much as you can without smashing the wall and it will stab way easier.


That about sums it up. Its not technically difficult just extremely labor intensive. There are plenty of good sources for info on this. Bentley is a good place to start.

Those small bolts for the dust cover seem to get overlooked quite a bit.