Drivetrain refresh, clutch, trans shift pins, shift bushings, driveshaft, etc.

[solimans]

i think i can safely say analysis paralysis has set in. WORST. CASE. EVER.

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this disk and pressure plate combo looks good, but will it fit my existing fx flywheel from gripforce hmmmmmmmmmm

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/clu...e-881861999855

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/pre...e-883082999792

maybe i could pair it with this flywheel

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...fidanza-195321


anyone run those or have experience with them? Over kill?

[zellamay]

I remember hearing some say that the flywheel and clutch should be balanced together, is that very important? Or maybe I heard wrong.

You mean flywheel and pressure plate. (the clutch plate will never be in the same place twice ) I say YES, do it.
Many here say its' not needed, but I had the experience of feeling a slight imbalance when I didn't , then taking it apart to do it, resulting in a smoother engine.
It cost around $70 ... = cheap insurance.

[CB750]

Ugh, sorry about your troubles. There's obviously some sort of clearance issue.

I used this kit: https://www.ecstuning.com/b-ecs-part...000282ecs01kt/

Not the lightest single mass replacement for the OEM dual mass flywheel, but the drivetrain is mostly rattle-free at idle, other than in very hot weather.
The noise is not enough to prompt me to experiment with some sort of UUC trans oil concoction.

Other than the flywheel, the clutch disk and pressure plate in the ECS kit are BMW parts, the clutch disk mounts the "right" way, rather than flipped as in the GripForce flywheel-clutch disk-pressure plate stack.

[solimans]

thank you for the reply, good sir. I like that kit. Seems like a good choice. I see you have the M roadster. i have the non-m coupe. 1999 m52tu. 320 zf trans

I agree, a clearance / dimensions issue. From what i'm hearing with some models the disk needs to be flipped, with others it works fine not flipped. I dont know the detail on why and when. I imagine its the small differences in the different transmission versions.

I'm really hoping that installing the disk flipped does not cause any functional issues. I've not heard of this being an issue but i just dont know.

Question, did you go with a non self-adjusting pressure plate intentionally? How does it feal vs self-adjusting?

[BimmerBreaker]

Personally I'm not sure why the sudden decision to change the whole kit. The gripforce kit would work great if installed correctly. Maybe gripforce can send you a replacement or at least a discount on buying a replacement.

[solimans]

i bought the original kit from gripforce years ago and did not install it until now. So i can't return it. way passed the return period.


i bought a new kit from them that came with a rigid clutch disk and new pressure plate. i returned the rigid disk in exchange for a sprung disk, they sent a different sprung disk (see pics above in comparison photo). they tell me that they no longer stock the original sprung disk.


all that aside, i just read this from Randy W. see post #38. I'll quote it below.


https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...4#post30472214


"The top plate and the disc face are driven by the engine. They are connected together by the posts that are also the rivets. The plate in the center is connected to the trans and is driven through the springs. The rivet/post also acts as a stop for the drive plate. The gap on the left as we are facing it is the coast side. The gap on the right, which is twice as big, is the drive side.


The other part that is not symmetrical is the drive webs sandwiched in the clutch lining. These are cured and designed that the applied torque will place them in tension. Putting the disc in backwards will load them in compression. Enough torque, and they can buckle... at which point the disc will shred."

[solimans]

Looking for a kit that;

-has a sprung disk (6 strong springs), organic mix with Kevlar (i'm not sure kevlar is better i read mixed reviews)
-fits with the disk installed the correct way
-lw flywheel, steel 15lb or so that will fit the pressure plate (im willing to go aluminum if i have to)
-stronger than stock self-adjusting pressure plate (not a big deal if not self-adjusting i dont think it will make that much difference but i could be wrong. if anyone has experience with this i'd love to hear it)

Possible?

I'm willing to cut my losses at this point and buy a whole new kit.

[pine1000]

If I ever do my clutch I would probably buy this one: https://www.ecstuning.com/b-ecs-part...048498la01kt1/

They used to have a link to install instructions and I'm pretty sure those indicated to install the clutch disc the same as would be necessary for the grip force kit. It's how you make the E34 M5 disc work with this transmission.

[solimans]

that kit looks really good, pine1000. It solves the issue i think. look at the clutch disk. the splines are low profile. almost flush to the clutch disk. compared to my disk pic below.

the issue is that the glide tube makes contact with the clutch disk
this kit might allow you to run the disk the right direction
this kit gives you a 6 spring disk
this kit give you a "stronger" pressure plate

my only strike on this one is the springs look dainty. I'll expand on this

[solimans]

the springs. this disk from sach. look at the springs. they look stronger to me

also notice the low profile splines. however the pic on fcpeuro.com site makes it look like there might be different versions of this disk. going to look deeper into it

https://www.sachsperformance.com/nav...s=881861999855

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/clu...e-881861999855

[zellamay]

Here's a thread looking at what works... https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...ndations/page2

[solimans]

yes sir, that's the same thread I linked above with the Randy quote.

as you posted, here is the a good video explanation that touches on the issue. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UmrCl2nLKM

in the video he does not go into the symmetric vs asymmetric clutch disks however.

[solimans]

Long shot: anyone know which one of these pressure plates will fit? 1999 z3 coupe, m52tu, 320zf 5 speed trans

My flywheel is the stock dimensions and bolt pattern, but single mass.

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/pre...e-883082999792

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/pre...e-883082001243

i cant get confirmation from fcpeuro. they referred me to sachs.

[BimmerBreaker]

I can't say for sure, because I haven't pieced together a kit in this manner - but I would assume the first one, the one that lists fitment for I6's, is what you would want to use. The only I6 listed for fitment with the second one is the E46 m3 which used the 420G.

[zellamay]

thank you for the reply, good sir. I like that kit. Seems like a good choice. I see you have the M roadster. i have the non-m coupe. 1999 m52tu. 320 zf trans

I agree, a clearance / dimensions issue. From what I'm hearing with some models the disk needs to be flipped, with others it works fine not flipped. I don't know the detail on why and when. I imagine its the small differences in the different transmission versions.

I'm really hoping that installing the disk flipped does not cause any functional issues. I've not heard of this being an issue but i just don't know.

Question, did you go with a non self-adjusting pressure plate intentionally? How does it feal vs self-adjusting?

I didn't consider non vs self-adjusting PPs. I did a lot of reading on this site, and just did what was recommended by those I trust: Stock M3 PP, stock E34 M5 disc (to get the springs in it), and my < 10lb flywheel. I did a lot of measuring, determined that I could install the disc in normal position, but just barely. I didn't trust my crude measurements, (an .050 interference would kill everything), and could see no reason not to install backwards, so I did install backwards. Has worked great for 30k+ miles.

[solimans]

yes sir, I can see how going that route has its merits. I think you have an M? Maybe different dimensions

is the stock m3 PP self-adjusting?

[solimans]

Got it back in late yesterday evening. Took about 5 tries (maybe more) to get the trans back on. The splines were tight

The disk is installed with the hub towards the engine. It appears to be a symmetrical disk so should not matter. *Note: this disk might work installed with the hub towards the trans but this particular pressure plate hits the hub


Here are the parts that seem to have worked for me:

SAC-881861999855 - https://www.sachsperformance.com/en/...ch-disc-999855
SAC-883082001243 - https://www.sachsperformance.com/en/...h-cover-001243

Paired the above with the clutch force (FX) flywheel.


THIS PRESURE PLATE DOES NOT WORK EVEN THOUGH PURCHASE SITE SAYS IT WILL FIT:

SAC-883082999792 - https://www.sachsperformance.com/en/...h-cover-999792



Here is a pic of it installed:

IMG_4203.jpg

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Is it common for the master to fail if the slave is replaced new? I've read that somewhere. Should be replaced master and slave at the same time?

I'm getting some drips at the clutch peddle, have not investigated yet

[solimans]

Got a new master cylinder installed. Put in the metal bushings while in there. Man that is a tight working space.

On another note, looks like the brake fluid reservoir is nla? Please say this isn't so

https://www.fcpeuro.com/Parts/?keywords=34321162263

part number: 34321162263

[Hoyt Clagwell]

Got a new master cylinder installed. Put in the metal bushings while in there. Man that is a tight working space.

On another note, looks like the brake fluid reservoir is nla? Please say this isn't so

https://www.fcpeuro.com/Parts/?keywords=34321162263

part number: 34321162263

I did a quick search of that part # and came up with a bunch of hits. Here's the first one.
https://eeuroparts.com/product/genuine-bmw/34321162263

[solimans]

that one looks "out of stock" also good sir

[BimmerBreaker]

Does appear to be NLA. Lots of other BMW master reservoirs will fit though. I've had at least 3 different ones on my V8 swap at various times...

[solimans]

fair enough.

anyone found a replacement yet? (99 coupe m52tu)

[Hoyt Clagwell]

that one looks "out of stock" also good sir

Doh!!!!!!!

[solimans]

An update and some closure.

Drove the car over the weekend for the first time in about 5 years. Was like driving it for the first time or felt like it.

The clutch feels good. No shuttering. Peddle feels solid.

Few lessons learned:
-measure the clutch kit and compare to stock before installing
-the throw-out bearing is always in contact with he pressure plate (I did not know that)
-the “dong” sound (common in these cars) when going into gear is a symptom of a partially engaged clutch
-the trans goes in so much easier by hand, rather than jack. Lock the engine in between an engine brace on top, and jack on the bottom