Squeaking Clutch

[jillian.11]

I have a 2002 330ci 5 speed manual and the clutch squeaks every time I push it in. The car is at 185k miles and I'm not sure if the clutch has ever been replaced.

How do I get rid of the noise?
Do I need a new clutch?

[MarcoZandrini]

The clutch breakdown is at this link: http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/show...diagId=21_0093

Im betting the clutch pivot is going bad. That’s a lot of miles on a factory clutch. How long have you been hearing there noise? Does it change in any way when you rev the engine and then pushing in the clutc?

[jillian.11]

I bought the car at 180k miles not too long ago so I'm sure if it is the original clutch. That I can recall, the noise started a few weeks after I bought the car. If I rev the engine the squeak is just drowned out by the noise.

[MarcoZandrini]

Ah, the noise is continuous when the clutch pedal is pressed. It’s likely the throw out bearing. The whole clutch should be replaced if you replace the bearing. The biggest headache/cost is removing and reinstalling the transmission. Once the transmission is out, it’s not that much work to replace the entire clutch assembly. Replace both the pilot bearing and the clutch slave cylinder while the transmission is out. Also, you may want to consider replacing the rear main seal if it’s weeping oil. BMW changed the design of this seal sometime during the E46 production run. You may have the newer seal, so if it’s not sealing oil leave it alone.