Trans Pull and related Services

[Marcos]

Ok, here's the car: 89 325is 5 spd. I'm pretty sure its the Getrag 260.

Here's the problem: Noise (whining) when depressing the clutch and particularly when clutch engages (all gears). Noise is not present when engine is started, noise has progressively become worse and is present (barely) when clutch has been depressed while engine is running. Noise is not noticeable when in gear and driving at least not loud enough to hear. Transmission shifts fine, recently filled with new fluid (Redline). Old fluid was dirty and not chunky-metallic.

Self diagnosis: Bearing failure - Not certain which, It would be the throwout bearing in one of my old watercooledvw's. Bearing may be effectively the same but under different name in BMW catalogue. Pilot Bearing?


Now on to the juicy bits,

I have bought a 'complete' clutch kit from Pelican, A shifter rebuild kit, Trans Mounts, Engine mounts (they feel funny under hard shifting). I am ordering a female torx set and I'm pretty sure I need the pilot bearing puller.

The big questions I have after reading the Bentley and other articles are, can I replace the bearing / bearings without disassembling the gear-train, what about the rear main, which bearing might it be, is it really just a bearing issue and what about lightening the flywheel given it's within tolerances?

The biggest concern next to possibly disassembling the trans is the exhaust, I know how what a pain it can be.

It seems that for ease I should just remove it (exhaust) and I believe that the stock exhaust has a flange connection just below the manifold/s. Mine however appears to be welded there. Everything beyong seems intact. I also understand this car is supposed to have a single cast manifold and it does appear to have two cast pieces, furthermore, if it is two, am I losing performance, I read the the single cast is a better option.

Ok, that's a lot of information (:puppy:) and yes I have perused the site and have some idea at this point about some of what I'm undertaking.

Last bit, single or dual mass clutch, which do I have, is it relevant to possibly lightening?

Any and all input would be greatly appreciated, I feel I have been long winded but I want to be thorough, it's annoying when there isn't enough information to go by.

Thanks In Advance!

Marcos - ps, In Raleigh NC, know a good machinist nearby?

[jlevie]

You have the single mass flywheel. My guess would be that the throwout and/or pilot bearing is bad. Bad bearings in the transmission are a possibilty, but unlikely. You could have the flywheel lightened and re-balanced, but If I was contemplating that I'd go with a JB Racing flywheel.

The exhaust is probably going to be the biggest challenge. Soak the fasterners in BPlaster or Kroil for several days (without driving the car) and use only six point sockets or box end wrenches. Heat, as from an oxy-acetelyne torch, applied the the nuts is a big help.

[Marcos]

Thing I learned today (2)

Thanks Jim,

I dug into the car today and the exhaust came off easily to my surprise. I unbolted it at the manifold flanges. My system from the Cat back is smooshed (wasn't me I swear), and I need a new flex-pipe section.

I also learned that the jack adapter transmission cradle is WAY too tall for even 6 ton jackstands. So the transmission sits under the car tonight fully disconnected from the motor but with no way to sneak it outfrom under the car. Any thoughts? The car is about 24' off the ground right now, I is skeered to raise it too high.

Besides that I also learned that 101 Projects For your BMW is awesome and very thoughtfully written, thanks Pelican Parts. http://www.101projects.com/BMW/index.htm

Man-oh-Man was it ever a special experience trying to get the top bolt off of the bell-housing.

Any thoughts on a cheap Cat back system? I would love to put in a BB but my budget is more Monza?

[jlevie]

When working from jack stands I never use a transmission jack for the reason you've discovered. I lower the transmission with a floor jack and then lift the transmission off the jack and slide it out from under the car. Hoever, in most cases I just pull the engine and transmission rather than trying to fight the transmission off/on with the engine in the car.

[Marcos]

Lesson learned, managed to drop the trans late yesterday by "other" methods and as was expected had trouble with the allen bolts on the pressure plate, Got that off and will prob use an impact wrench on the flywheel bolts. Are they usually tough?

Have the exhaust at a shop here in Raleigh that was highly recommended for price and quality, will post their name if I'm happy with the result. Having the flex pipe fixed and a Flowmaster 40 series Cat-back done with a y-pipe in 2.5" tubing. It's gonna roar

[Jafxod]

Sounds like your moving along nicely. Ive done 2 trannys in the past week and its not easy but once you get the hang of it it gets easier. Ive never had much trouble with the flywheel bolts, just torque wrench was enough to get them off, might need someone to grab that nut on the front of the crank to keep it from spinning.

[Marcos]

Moving along

You where right Jafxod, the flywheel came off easily.

It's at the shop now getting a grind, lightening and re-balance. They think they can remove 3-4 lbs. Jim I figured I would try this out instead of go all out with the JB flywheel as they are $500 . This was much cheaper and my first shot at reducing the reciprocating mass of a motor, we shall see...

Won't see it for a week . . . waiting . . .patiently . . . !!! . . .

[Marcos]

Throwout fork

I have 101 Performance Projects... and when looking to reinstall my throwout fork there seems to be something different than what the book shows.

First question: Does the throwout fork only rely on the pivot pin and throwout bearing? or is there another point of contact on the far side of the fork where there is an opening in the trans?

Second: Is there a variety of ways the pivot pin is mounted in relevance to the retainer spring? Mine (metal clip) appears to not come in contact with the pivot pin at all and only touches the fork and trans. The one in the photo actually encircles the pivot pin.

Third: How much wear is ok on the throwout fork, do these things fail?

Fourth: How much play is acceptable between the throwout bearing and the throwout bearing tube? Mine has a little and it was the bearing that failed, it is seized and I think it may have worn the tube a bit. The tube appears polished but not gouged.

Now I gotta remove the pilot bearing, looks like I need the bearing extractor...

[Marcos]

Bearing Extractor

Does anyone have this tool near Raleigh NC, I'd hate to buy it and use it just once...

I think I have the 12mm bearing but I can't seem to match that up the the Pelican Parts website.

[Marcos]

the saga continues

Got some pics at the shop, Waiting for bearing extractor...

Somebody been playin Rally-Racer with my car, these fell out of the heat shield above the cat.

[Marcos]

Name that fender?

What you think? hmm

[Marcos]

...

...Mine's the Bronzit, I own none of the other cars here, it's a friend's shop, what a guy, no animals where harmed in the making of this project.

[Marcos]

M!!

Yes, M!!!

:shock:

[Marcos]

2002 track car?

Long term project, neighbour of the old Chevy

[Marcos]

Goddamn those tornados!!!

At least it only killed a Toyota...