flywheel/clutch noise

[Brew]

The throw out bearing sits on the shaft and as long as the shaft is spinning the bearing spins as well. It's dry in that area and the bearing makes noise because it's lacking any lube and the casing doesn't always go the same speed as the shaft.

The sleeve that the throwout bearing rides on DOES NOT spin. It bolts to the transmission case with 4 10mm bolts on most BMW manual gearboxes. The face of the throwout bearing, the actual bearing, contacts the pressure plate fingers when the clutch pedal is depressed and disengages the clutch disc from the flywheel and pressure plate. You'll have to trust me, I've done at least 10 clutch kits in the past 2 months as a BMW dealer tech.

And worn bearings make noise when they are loaded.

EDIT: just saw that you edited your posts joshh...
A pilot bearing will cause noise when the clutch is disengaged, pedal depressed.

[joshh]

All I know is on several cars I've had one of those bearings made noise when in neutral. As soon as the clutch was pushed the noise went away.
I'd be shocked if BMW's were that much different.
I'm not saying bearing do not make noise when under a load just that they squeel when they are not loaded. From what I have experiance they tend to quiet down under load....that doesn't mean their not worn out.

[RCWells]

I've had the same noise on both E30s I've owned Josh, but I think you guys are talking about different bearings.

[EtaSport]

Well I changed my fluid about a year ago, back in october. The noise was never present before but the car idled smooth. Only a few months ago I could hear it if the idle was a little low. Now with the cam installed it idles too low I think(which leads to another problem of mine which I need some advice about, ICV voltage), and also shakes it a bunch which makes the clunck more noticeable.

Is it correct that the dual mass flywheel has two layers that have springs inside of them? I realize you all need to hear the noise to get the best diagnosis. I also have bucking problems in lower gears, usually up to 3rd gear when on and off the gas. Say I go up to 2nd but have to let off, then give throttle once more, sometimes it gets violent which points me to clutch flywheel since this is the link between engine and trans.

I'm going to go ahead and swap the flywheel and clutch since I dont need the dual mass anymore and want the lighter wheel. So I will see what happens down the road.