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Thread: E21 Throw-out bearing

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2017
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    Boston, MA, USA
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    '81 E21,'14 F30,'17 F87

    E21 Throw-out bearing

    Hey guys,
    My E21 is making somewhat of a whistling noise when the clutch is depressed. The noise goes away when i take my foot off the clutch. Is my diagnostic correct that I need to replace the TO bearing?
    Does it require to drop the tranny?
    Any other things to look at? Please let me know your opinion and if you have instructions/link for this I would really appreciate it.
    Thank you so much
    Eli

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
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    Pioneer, CA
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    73' tii 79 320i 73'2002
    Sounds about right, but normally you replace the entire clutch at that point. YES, you must drop the tranny, or pull the engine, which can be easier depending on your shop tools and experience.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jul 2005
    Location
    Albuquerque, NM
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    214
    My Cars
    '77 turbo 320i, '07 Subi
    And replace the rear main seal while you're in the neighborhood. I'm guessing it drips. They used to make spacers (I can't remember the actual name) so the seal would be on a non-grooved part of the crank.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Mar 2017
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    Boston, MA, USA
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    '81 E21,'14 F30,'17 F87
    Thank you guys for the quick reply.
    Could there be a chance there is an air leak? The best way to describe the noise is like summer night crickets lol
    Should i look into a new clutch master n slave cylinder as the source of problem?
    Lastly, does anyone know how much such job could cost at a mechanic?

    Most people have the noise go away when they press the clutch after reading more. Why does mine do the opposite? Does it mean i have more time before changing it?

    Thanks
    Eli
    Last edited by Lebindor; 02-13-2018 at 05:42 PM.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Location
    Seattle, WA USA
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    My Cars
    '83 323i, '82 320i, '06 mazda5
    have you checked your brake fluid reservoir level? it's shared with the clutch master/slave in case you didn't know. had your fluid level dropped recently to the point that you may have been sucking air into the system? how does it feel when you put it into gear and drive in general?

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Mar 2017
    Location
    Boston, MA, USA
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    '81 E21,'14 F30,'17 F87
    Thanks, yes they share it. Last year I changed the master cylinder(pita) and had the level at max. I checked it now and it is a bit above the min. Maybe it went down coz the brake pads are wearing down? Should i bleed again?
    Any other thoughts? Thank you

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
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    '83 323i, '82 320i, '06 mazda5
    that amount of drop in level doesn't seem likely with just normal pad wear. pull your rear drums and inspect the rear cylinders. I'm betting you've been slowly losing fluid. if it were me, I'd definitely fill and bleed (after I made sure nothing was leaking) before I thought about dropping the tranny and doing any work. don't forget to bleed the slave last. a power bleeder is worth the 50 bucks.

    how does the car behave when driving and shifting?

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Mar 2017
    Location
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    '81 E21,'14 F30,'17 F87
    Thank you, I will look into the rear drums today. The shifting is smooth and fast. No signs of issues during driving.
    Noise can only be heard if parked in a closed garage.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
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    '83 323i, '82 320i, '06 mazda5
    top off and bleed and drive it until something noticeably changes. I understand being on "high alert" when you hear noises or experience something you've not noticed before...I've been there/done that.

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