noisy throwout bearing?

[spiDmang]

hey r3v,

I've always noticed this, but I am slowly becoming very annoyed and kind of skeptical of why my transmission makes a weird knocking noise (similar to a rod knock, if you've ever heard a car with that type of symptom).

The cars transmission will knock whenever the clutch pedal isnt pressed in. If it IS pressed in, the knocking goes completely away...

Does this mean my throwout bearing is taking a shit on me? should i get this figured out asap, or am i ok to drive on it?

a shop put in a clutch kit, resurfaced the flywheel and put in a new pilot bushing at 167k (car has 197k now)..

any ideas e30 gurus?

[DÌEGØ]

a bad T/O bearing would be noisy when the pedal is pressed. and would go away when it wasnt.

you sure the pilot bearing was replaced?

[spiDmang]

a bad T/O bearing would be noisy when the pedal is pressed. and would go away when it wasnt.

you sure the pilot bearing was replaced?

shoot...

I have receipts of when the clutch kit/pilot bushing was replaced by the shop..so im sure it was replaced. but do they usually go bad after 30k?

[DÌEGØ]

does the knocking happen also while you drive?
is it speed or rpm dependant?

[SkinnyVT]

I'm going to guess that it is the standard rattle that comes along with these transmissions after many miles. It should smooth out once you start driving but at idle with the clutch out it will drive you nuts. I've been beating the crap out of mine on the track for 4 years now with that same noise, sounds worse now with solid mounts on the drivetrain. Take a video for a more definite diagnosis.

[etxxz]

all mine rattle since the beginings of time.

when pressed goes away. clutch off- sounds like there's loose bolts flying around in the bellhousing -.-

been racing it for 2.5 years no probs. I think it started with the ltw flywheel.

[spiDmang]

does the knocking happen also while you drive?
is it speed or rpm dependant?

no knocking when i drive

all mine rattle since the beginings of time.

when pressed goes away. clutch off- sounds like there's loose bolts flying around in the bellhousing -.-

been racing it for 2.5 years no probs. I think it started with the ltw flywheel.

haha yup, thats the perfect analogy! it really does sound like loose bolts flying around

I'm going to guess that it is the standard rattle that comes along with these transmissions after many miles. It should smooth out once you start driving but at idle with the clutch out it will drive you nuts. I've been beating the crap out of mine on the track for 4 years now with that same noise, sounds worse now with solid mounts on the drivetrain. Take a video for a more definite diagnosis.

yessir, drives me nuts everytime at idle. and my family/friends question if my car is ok...LOL

Thanks for all the replies guys. Will replacing the transmission fluid help with the noise? im due for a change anyway

[brutus87]

I have the same problem!
Except mine also does it when im taking off too. I have a hunch my tranny has low fluid. anxious to see what fixes yours!
GL buddy!

[spiDmang]

I have the same problem!
Except mine also does it when im taking off too. I have a hunch my tranny has low fluid. anxious to see what fixes yours!
GL buddy!

yeah its strange. my past e30s (with higher mileage) have never had this kind of weird issue before.

Im thinking i should replace the fluid as well, to see if that makes a difference

Ill keep you posted Carlos!

[bastianshaw]

any update my does the same thing and i think I have a slow leak and im using redline mtl

[Ceeker]

just have a peak underneath to make sure your tranny mounts are ok.

[spiDmang]

just have a peak underneath to make sure your tranny mounts are ok.

great starting point!

[bastianshaw]

I think using mt-90 if applicable would quiet things down as it is heavier than the MTL

[nando]

it's the nature of the getrag beast. it's annoying, but it will make noise like that and still last virtually forever. I wouldn't worry about it too much.

[Ceeker]

from what my bmw tech friend tells me this occurrence is common when people keep the clutch depressed while sitting at lights for an extended period of time - as in months etc.
It has something to do the with bearing being lubricated with the clutch out. this is his theory being a tech for over 15 years and extensive e30 experience. Only thing he says can be done at this point is to deal with it as long as it doesn't cause problems and just change it when time comes for the new clutch. Best to avoid keeping the clutch pedal depressed when not necessary. I know it sounds oxymoron.