do you have manual airbag E30? need your help..

[Vincenze]

The location of the gray brace is correct.

The hole that you circled looks to be the correct one.

My car is golden, but it looks gray sometimes.

[nando]

it's been years, but IIRC the airbag cars don't use this spring at all. I've never had one in my car (I did the swap in 2006), I even bought another airbag manual pedal box because I was confused why there was nowhere to mount this spring, and it didn't come with it either.

also if it's not highlighted in the ETK and there's no listing for it, it means it doesn't exist for your car.

[Vincenze]

Airbag cars use a clutch spring.
It's connected to the second hole in the clutch pedal (it can be drilled if it's missing).
And the other end is connected to the hole in the body brace circled above via a plastic grommet.

[zaq123]

it's been years, but IIRC the airbag cars don't use this spring at all. I've never had one in my car (I did the swap in 2006), I even bought another airbag manual pedal box because I was confused why there was nowhere to mount this spring, and it didn't come with it either.

also if it's not highlighted in the ETK and there's no listing for it, it means it doesn't exist for your car.

clutch assist (overcenter) spring is not needed I agree. helps to keep the pedal down but takes from the clutch feel. The clutch return spring I''m asking about is definitely needed to keep that pedal in place well. I noticed reaoem sometimes doesn't highlight parts that are totally applicable if compared to the dealer fiche. One can also cross chest the assembly between different models in realoem (i/is even for ix for some things) and they will be shown.

[zaq123]

Airbag cars use a clutch spring.
It's connected to the second hole in the clutch pedal (it can be drilled if it's missing).
And the other end is connected to the hole in the body brace circled above via a plastic grommet.

thank you for confirming this, I will give it a try

[zaq123]

since we are on the clutch talk here, how many here run the pedal box reinforcement bracket? How many of you noticed a hairline crack in the pedal box due to the clutch pedal strain? I came across two donor pedal boxes with almost unnoticeable crack at the box, the reason I'm using my auto box with no such crack for obvious reasons and is perfectly compatible with the manual swap.

https://www.mye28.com/viewtopic.php?t=103670

just order this one from e28 forum. Looks to be better designed that what IE is selling and a few bucks cheaper too. IE wants $20 to ship in in lower 48, wow

[Vincenze]

It seems the old style clutch spring causes those cracks.

[zaq123]

It seems the old style clutch spring causes those cracks.

it's not the old style (e36. e46 etc got it), it's totally different spring which works opposite to the spring we are talking in this thread. This spring actually pushes the pedal into the floor once the pedal went about half way of its travel (over the pivot center hence the name - overcenter spring/clutch assist spring). It helps the driver to keep the clutch pedal down to ?? decreases any foot fatigue or if small child is operating the vehicle??
I won't be running it for a few reasons:
1. My auto box doesn't have the tab for it and all my manual replacement boxes need to be welded due to that box crack.
2. The spring is known to fall apart due to its plastic retainer failure (with age?) and often shear/crack the master cylinder hose plastic elbow on its way out. This results in the corrosive brake fluid spilling on your carped and stripping your floor paint over time if left there (how many people are removing the carpet to clean it well?)
3. It takes from the real feel of the clutch in some way, not a major factor
4. It's freaking expensive for what it is.

Not sure if that spring contributes to the crack, normal master cylinder. resistance the fact that BMW used very thin metal to construct that pedal box. Why I have it all apart, thought $60for the reinforcement bracket is not too too bad for a piece of mind.

[Danielmcfly]

Thank you, is your car grey? I have metal brace (part of the column) and the body colored support where the steering column/pedal box gets bolted to. Here is a picture. I see one possible hole in the support where it can go . Is this it?

Hello friend, finally where going the clutch spring? I have the same box pedal and the same question... Can you help me?