The MikeE30 support team thread. Q and A

[MIKe30]

You don't need the felt ring or dust plate, but put it in if you have the tranny out. It's just to help keep dust/dirt/oil away from that bearing from what I understand. I don't have them in either of my cars, but neither of my cars are as valuable as your engine alone :)

thanks for the heads up bud. Both of them are though, since my collection of parts isnt quite running yet. bah.

Random thought for the day: Was just in sears to get a univeral joint replaced. Was so tempted to buy my own tool set, I'm always looking and scrounging around for tools in my dad's garage. They were a bit expensive, but seemed worth it. If I could have found an all metric tool set I would have bought it on the spot.

back under the car...

[JGood]

thanks for the heads up bud. Both of them are though, since my collection of parts isnt quite running yet. bah.

Random thought for the day: Was just in sears to get a univeral joint replaced. Was so tempted to buy my own tool set, I'm always looking and scrounging around for tools in my dad's garage. They were a bit expensive, but seemed worth it. If I could have found an all metric tool set I would have bought it on the spot.

back under the car...

I would highly recommend getting your own Craftsman tool set. For the price/quality/replacement policy, it's hard to beat if you're a backyard mechanic. The bigger the tool set you buy, the cheaper the cost per tool. 6 or 7 years ago, I got a 400 or 500 piece tool set with basically everything needed to do anything. I wouldn't worry about metric only, a lot of household stuff is still standard. It will be expensive, but you'll have it for life if you're responsible.

[MIKe30]

I would highly recommend getting your own Craftsman tool set. For the price/quality/replacement policy, it's hard to beat if you're a backyard mechanic. The bigger the tool set you buy, the cheaper the cost per tool. 6 or 7 years ago, I got a 400 or 500 piece tool set with basically everything needed to do anything. I wouldn't worry about metric only, a lot of household stuff is still standard. It will be expensive, but you'll have it for life if you're responsible.

I hear you. There was a 300 or 400 piece tool set on sale for $399.99 supposedly down from $600. Was very tempting. But I was hoping it had the odd ball things like torx sockets instead of standard wrenches and sockets that I NEVER use. (Correction: sometimes i use them for leverage if it's the nearest big wrench :mrgreen:)

[Spaz]

When i was a mechanic, I'd be buying up tools like no tomorrow. Our craftsmen here in canada is different then the USA stuff, but still decent and has the lifetime warrenty. My Suggestion is buy the biggest set you can afford as it lowers the price per tool like JGOOD mentioned. Then piece together the extras you'll need.

Likely only need a couple things

-Internal/External Torx Bits
-Hammers
-Maybe Set of Pilars (some come with some don't)
-Pry Bars
-Breaker Bars

Thats pretty much all you need for a basic set. You can just keep building from there, who knows how much money i got in tools now :|

-Cam

[JGood]

But I was hoping it had the odd ball things like torx sockets instead of standard wrenches and sockets that I NEVER use.

Then piece together the extras you'll need.

Like Spaz said, said you are better off getting a complete tool set with ratches, sockets, extensions in 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2, wenches, and screwdrivers. Then piece together your torx and other odd stuff. The thing with the big tool kits is they usually only include "common" sizes on those oddball things, so you need to go out and buy individual sizes when you need them, and you end up spending lots of money anyway. You can buy a whole set of male or female torx sockets for a decent price though. If you get a fairly basic, but complete (as far as common stuff), tool set and then buy complete sets of torx, allen wrenches, etc... you'll be better off.


Here is a decent all metric set:

http://www.craftsman.com/shc/s/p_10155_12602_00933941000P?vName=Tools+%26+Equipment&cName=Hand+Tools&sName=Mechanic+Tools

All you would need on top of that is a set of screwdrivers, torx, and maybe a few other odds and ends. That kit comes with some tips to use as screwdriver and torx drivers, but I was never a fan of those. They can disappear quickly when working on cars.

[MIKe30]

Thanks guys, yea I think I will be buying my own set soon.

On a note more on topic, I got the tranny out. Took the clutch apart, looks like there was some kind of rubbing between the clutch and something else? Around the cylindrical part that goes over the tranny splines there are metal shavings as if it had been rubbing against something. Wierd thing is, that it was the block side, not the tranny side of the clutch - and my old man is POSITIVE we didn't put the clutch on backwards since it really only goes on one way.

The pilot bearing was out of place, but that may have been from us pulling the tranny out, so no definite there.

Going to borrow a torque wrench (which is another tool i'd need for a complete set :)) and then put everything back together. Good news is that it is really most likely where the noise was coming from with those metal shavings like that. Bad news is there's no definite answer as to what we did wrong or isn't working - so it's possible I may do the same mistake over again. Anyway, just going to take my time, put it back together the way it's supposed to go and hope that I fixed whatever was wrong.

Don't know if those pressure plate bolts are a one time deal, but I'm re-using them. I'm not waiting for another set. Hopefully I don't regret that one!

Hopefully a positvie update later.

[flyboyx]

just put some lock tite on them so they don't back out on you.

[MIKe30]

just put some lock tite on them so they don't back out on you.

Good idea, just went out to pick some up. back under the bitch i go...

[MIKe30]

3 more bolts to get in for tranny. What a biiiitch as usual to get the damn thing on. Had to convince the girly to come out and get dirty to help me get it on :mrgreen:

Random note for the day: BMW engineers are smart and put a hole in the intake manifold so you can access the top starter bolt without removing the mani. I removed the mani. Don't know if knowing the tid bit would have saved me time or not - depends on whether or not I could reach that top tranny bolt at the top of the block near the top starter bolt through the mani hole.

back under...

[MIKe30]

Not the tranny, noise still there. Going to find the nearest fucking cliff.........

[416stroker]

Hmm. But there was metal shaving in the tranny you sure you resolved that Issue?


Dont find a cliff donata your long block to me:)

[Spaz]

Hmm, i've been pondering these metal shavings in the transmission for a while now and i can't seem to put my finger on it. Did you snap any pictures of it mike?

-Cam

[2002maniac]

What flywheel pressure plate combo? Were the shavings steel or aluminum (if they stick to a magnet, steel)

from what you described it sounds like maybe the PP is rubbing the bellhousing.

[JGood]

To be honest, I wouldn't have put it back together without finding the source of the metal shavings. It came from somewhere. And it shouldn't have.

[MIKe30]

Think I figured it out in my head. This is the flywheel I have: http://r3vlimited.com/board/showthre...eight+flywheel

I'm thinking the thickness of the flywheel where it bolts to the crank may be slightly thinner than stock. If so, it's JUST enough for the clutch to barely touch the block. Here is a real oem schematic to show you what I mean... I colored it in red, but it came out grey on my screen. I colored the edge that had the shavings.



I'm thinking I should remove everything again, and either A) space the flywheel or B) take the clutch and shave down that colored edge myself so when I put it back it doesnt have the chance to touch anything else. I like option B, I'm just curious if it matters if the clutch doesnt end up PERFECTLY balanced. I'd like to just take a 1/8" or maybe even a 1/4" off the edge there and I think that would do the trick. What do you think?

Took it for a drive last night, noise still there but it's intermittent now. It may even go away on its own but I am a bit afraid of it causing damage to anything else, even though theoretically it would eventually mill itself down to where it doesnt touch.