ZF tranny/clutch problems

[loonibab325i]

I'm using a 97 m3 zf tranny.. when i got the motor out of the m3 for the swap i had it sent to a shop down here so they can change the clutch (Spec clutch stage 3, 6 puck) Anyway, I did this so i can be certain the clutch was going to be fine, and so i didn't have to mess with it no longer. Yesterday i was able to get my car put together, mostly.. and it was ready to go for a spin... Keep in mind, I had just bled the brakes and clutch fluid. Anyway, at first when i went to push the clutch in while the car was on it would make some kind of weird grinding noise in the tranny, or like something is being spun and something is grinding on it.. kind of like marbles in a can. Anyway.. i drove the car around the block, the gear shift was fine, the clutch was grabbing, etc etc.. and when i put the car back up on the driveway the noise had almost went away? you could barely hear it now?? but it's still there, it happens when you press and release the clutch, but that's it. Anybody know what this can be? Could this be because it wasn't bled properly, and their could be air bubbles still? Any advice would help.

Thanks,

-Abe.

[golde30]

my clutch has a rattleing noise, but only when the car is in neutral and the clutch pedal is out. i have had this rattle on every single e30 i've owned.

[MR 325]

You took a motor that was OUT of a car to a shop to have the clutch changed???

Did you replace the pilot bearing and throwout bearing?

[Roadsterd]

You took a motor that was OUT of a car to a shop to have the clutch changed???

Did you replace the pilot bearing and throwout bearing?

No kidding, lug a motor down to a shop for 6 bolts that are in plain view?

It just sounds like your clutch isn't disengaging all the way. I've had the same noise with a cable release clutch, just tightened it and the sound went away. In your case, probably just some air bubbles like you thought, did you pressure bleed? Sometimes it takes a couple of tries.

[rThor432]

I say throw-out bearing.

[Roadsterd]

I can't imagine that the t/o bearing was not replaced.

[So Live]

He took the motor out of a e36M3 to put it in his e30. :)

Find out about the T/O bearing Abe. Maybe they didnt align it correctly?

Good luck dude

[PiercedE30]

Same clutch I am using. When I first started to break it in, it had a squeeking sound, not a can of marbles or a grinding. Make sure everything is bled properly (ie, let the slave gravity bleed a little and then close it and pump the slave by hand about 5 times and it should be gravy).

[loonibab325i]

I am more then positive it got drained correctly, but will try again to be sure, i'm hoping it's that. I am more then sure the kit came with a new throw out bearing.. so they had to have at least fucking changed it. I have never done a clutch job before and I was really scared of doing it my self.. now I wish I did. How hard is dropping a zf tranny from an e30? is it just easier to take the motor out? Motor removal shouldn't take longer then 2 hours.

-Abe.

[MR 325]

Did they bolt the tranny to the motor? The T/O bearing goes on the tranny.

[e30evolution]

when does it make the noise? when fully depressed? we have had issues with clutch set/flywheels being sent with the wrong pressure plate/disc combo... causing the arms on the belvile spring to contact the clutch disc

[hugh jass]

removing just the tranny from a twincam swap e30 is a pain. there is very limited clearance at the firewall to get at the top bellhousing bolts and pulling the tranny off the rear of the motor. i'm sure people here have done it, i'm just not sure how.

[etxxz]

^^ i share your opinion.

now, that sounds like the throw out bearing...idk all my e30's have had it, its a lubrication problem...then again none of them have lasted me over 10k (the cars i mean) so i don't know what long term effects that noise can have on the tranny/inputshaft/t.o./clutch

[golde30]

the tranny can be pulled on the car, its just a fat PITA. i have done it once, took about 2 hours to get it off, and another 2-3 to get it on.

[loonibab325i]

Lame, i am in no mood wanting to deal with dropping the tranny, nor do i have the time anymore. I sent my car back to the same place I had gotten the clutch installed, they said they will take care of it.

-Abe.