Squeakiness in the clutch, here's my plan..

[DaN]

So, I'm guessing whomever installed the clutch last, in my 90 325i didn't lube the shaft where the TO bearing rides. So everytime the pedal is depressed, there is a squeak.

I don't really want to pull the tranny, so I'm considering drilling a small hole in the bell housing, so that I can spray some type of lubricant on the shaft.

Anyone ever done this?
I need to figure out the best place to drill, where I won't hit anything and still be able to see the shaft. Anyone have pics of the inside bellhousing of a getrag 260?

When done, I would just install a grommet in the hole.

Any comments? lol

[RobertK]

This has "bad ideal" all over it.

You need to make sure that the inside of the TO bearing & input shaft is lubed with a light coat of white lithium grease. You really need to remove the tranny to do this the right way.

If you start drilling holes and spraying lube in the bellhousing you will probably end up contaminating your cluch disk, flywheel, and pressure plate which will cause alot more trouble then a squeaky TO bearing.

[DaN]

I agree this is not the best way to go about this. But It seems that there is sufficient room in the bell housing, and if I tap in towards the rear of It, I think I could get a clear shot to the shaft.
I would use a grease that sprays on and sets up to a sticky consistancy, so it wont be dripping over everything.

[Brew]

This has "bad ideal" all over it.

You need to make sure that the inside of the TO bearing & input shaft is lubed with a light coat of white lithium grease. You really need to remove the tranny to do this the right way.

I agree that this is a bad idea, but I wouldn't use white lithium grease. BMW has a special grease that we use at the dealer that works well. Light coats. Also put some grease on the pivot points of the clutch fork.

[RobertK]

Considering that that TO bearing is on the shaft already it wouldn't matter where you moved it you would never have a clear shot at the bare input shaft. Especially considering that it is a tight fit between the TO bearing and the input shaft already.

I've cut a hole in my bell housing before to remove my pressure plate because the pilot bearing got stuck on the input shaft nose and that was no picnic. You would have to cut a big ass hole to do what your are trying to do and still not even get it done coreectly.

If you have 2 people and one person is experienced in removing a BMW transmission then you should be able to fix it the right way in about 5-6 hours.

[DaN]

I've done lots of clutch jobs. I think I'll try to lube it, if it doesnt work I guess I'll pull the tranny. I hate doing this stuff on the ground, o well.

[RobertK]

The main reason I'm trying to deter you is that the transmission has to come off the car to patch the hole. A small hole won't give the access you need to lube the shaft and driving with a hole any bigger than 2inx2in is going to allow water and all kinds of road funk into the bell housing which could also mess up your clutch and ruin the TO bearing.

It's risk/cost assesment thing.. Spend $5 on grease and 5-6hrs in the driveway to do it right or $5 on grease, $250 on a new clutch, and 8-9 hours cutting a hole, spraying the grease and then still take the transmission off because now you have to replace everything you screweup trying to be cheap.

[kowalski]

im going to have to go with everyone else on this idea and say that this isn't going to work. your going to end up costing yourself a lot of money in the long run...