Pretty sure my TOB is toast.

[ZacharyMikel]

I heard this pretty cool noise this morning coming up to a stop light, clutched in from 4th gear at about 3k RPM.

It is a clicking noise that only sounds if my clutch pedal is pressed all the way to the floor. Vibration feedback can be felt through the clutch pedal.

Lift it about 3mm off the floor and the noise stops. Fairly certain it's the throw out bearing, as it increases with rev's. What do you think? Check out the video:

https://vimeo.com/164014164

Edit: please excuse my hideously filthy floor mats :(

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[Oli77]

That or another key component in the clutch assembly. Can you still drive it? I would be careful not to drive too much for fear of being stranded. Sounds worrisome for sure, sorry to hear of this trouble, how many miles? Original clutch?

[BMWCurves]

I've never heard that sound for a bad throw out bearing, but then again, the only time I've heard it was on my old S4 and it was a screeching sound.

I'm intrigued to see what other people suggest. Might be best for a trip to the mechanic for a diagnosis.

[ZacharyMikel]

That or another key component in the clutch assembly. Can you still drive it? I would be careful not to drive too much for fear of being stranded. Sounds worrisome for sure, sorry to hear of this trouble, how many miles? Original clutch?

The clutch still totally engages, and if I am careful not to put the pedal to the floor, it doesn't make the noise. But I agree. Won't be driving it until I figure it out.

156,000 miles on the car. Most likely the original clutch. I agree, I'll be taking it to the shop. I have no idea what it is.

[wsmeyer]

I'm guessing pressure plate

[danewilson77]

Mileage?

Sent from an S6 Edge

[ZacharyMikel]

Mileage?

Sent from an S6 Edge

156k.

edit: also not my first manual car, I baby this thing. I daily it. So I'm pretty sad at the moment.

[KevinC]

No need to be sad, if the clutch is original and just now going, it'll be perfect after replacement, and good for another 150k. Then it will be time to rejoice. :)

[wsmeyer]

It's interesting to guess but at that mileage the fix will be the same = new disc, pressure plate and throw out bearing.

[ZacharyMikel]

So I've been doing some research.

With our cars, it looks like there's really only two choices: stay OEM, hope the flywheel isn't burned, and do a new clutch. If the flywheel is burned, then parts will be around $1k.

Or. Assume the flywheel is burned (which I'm sure it is, as the car chatters on takeoff), and go with the UUC flywheel + clutch kit for around the same cost.

I wish that Valeo made that single mass flywheel kit for our cars. I don't necessarily want to go with a light weight flywheel.


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[slater]

i've got a brand new clutch and PP here if you're interested. likely going with a steel single-mass flywheel so i won't be using it.

[Vas]

I have the Turner Motorsports Clutch Kit installed by the Previous po. Great kit

[ZacharyMikel]

i've got a brand new clutch and PP here if you're interested. likely going with a steel single-mass flywheel so i won't be using it.

If I don't go single mass I'll let you know. That sounds great.

So to be clear - the only single mass flywheel option we have for the ZHP is the UUC lightweight, correct?

EDIT: scratch that, looks like Clutchmasters has some steel flywheel options for single-mass on our cars.

[squashman702]

So I've been doing some research.

With our cars, it looks like there's really only two choices: stay OEM, hope the flywheel isn't burned, and do a new clutch. If the flywheel is burned, then parts will be around $1k.

Or. Assume the flywheel is burned (which I'm sure it is, as the car chatters on takeoff), and go with the UUC flywheel + clutch kit for around the same cost.

I wish that Valeo made that single mass flywheel kit for our cars. I don't necessarily want to go with a light weight flywheel.


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Flywheels can be turned for cheap. Did it on one of my old Jeeps for around $50 at the local NAPA. From what I've read, the issue is that there are springs that wear out with a dual mass flywheel, so those may be worn out as well at your mileage, in which case you're going to want a replacement.

[09mageec]

Be careful going with a lightweight flywheel man, you're going to get a lot of unwanted noise...

[ZacharyMikel]

Be careful going with a lightweight flywheel man, you're going to get a lot of unwanted noise...

I keep hearing of people finding 20lb steel flywheels for their ZHP's, but I can't seem to locate any.

[slater]

Be careful going with a lightweight flywheel man, you're going to get a lot of unwanted noise...

the 20lb steel units apparently don't make noise.



I keep hearing of people finding 20lb steel flywheels for their ZHP's, but I can't seem to locate any.

spec makes one. that's what i was going to get.

[09mageec]

Going to have to research this 20lb steel...

Aside from that, Zach, yeah don't drive anymore...Sounds like something may be going on with the pressure plate/throw out engagement.

[ZacharyMikel]

For anyone that's searching for this flywheel:

http://www.specclutch.com/cars/BMW/330__E46_/2004/Single

Thanks, Slater! Been searching the web on and off since last night!

[Aeternalis]

FYI a LuK (OEM) flywheel and BMW clutch kit (includes release/throwout bearing!) can be had from FCP Euro for ~$765.

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-dual-mass-flywheel-luk-21207533868
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-clutch-pressure-plate-n-a-21207531556oe

Plus their lifetime replacement guarantee.

[ZacharyMikel]

FYI a LuK (OEM) flywheel and BMW clutch kit (includes release/throwout bearing!) can be had from FCP Euro for ~$765.

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-dual-mass-flywheel-luk-21207533868
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-clutch-pressure-plate-n-a-21207531556oe

Plus their lifetime replacement guarantee.

Is this the "normal" 330i flywheel for the 5-speeds though? Or is this the 6-speed?

[Aeternalis]

Is this the "normal" 330i flywheel for the 5-speeds though? Or is this the 6-speed?
To my knowledge the parts I linked are for our ZHP 6-speed transmissions.

RealOEM.com lists (via my VIN w/ the 6-speed MT) 21207531556 for the clutch and 21207533868 for the flywheel.

[ZacharyMikel]

To my knowledge the parts I linked are for our ZHP 6-speed transmissions.

RealOEM.com lists (via my VIN w/ the 6-speed MT) 21207531556 for the clutch and 21207533868 for the flywheel.

Thanks so much for the info. I appreciate it.

[ZacharyMikel]

This is really freaking weird.

Since the pedal was only making noise when it was pressed to the floor, I decided to install the clutch stop mod that everyone talks about (buying an extended elevator bolt and replacing the factory stop with that bolt).

I replaced the clutch stop with the extended bolt, and bled the system. The noise is totally gone. Car shifts like butter (holy crap the clutch mechanism feels so good), and no grinding or notchy feelings from the transmission. I am assuming that there is still a problem with the clutch/flywheel assembly, and that this is covering it up. I'll be ordering replacement parts soon.

[09mageec]

Since the pedal was only making noise when it was pressed to the floor, I decided to install the clutch stop mod that everyone talks about (buying an extended elevator bolt and replacing the factory stop with that bolt).

I replaced the clutch stop with the extended bolt, and bled the system.

What's the size of the bolt, or is there a thread link? I want to do this...

[ZacharyMikel]

What's the size of the bolt, or is there a thread link? I want to do this...

Here's the DIY, Cam. It is seriously an amazing mod along with the CDV delete.

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=206363

[09mageec]

Here's the DIY, Cam. It is seriously an amazing mod along with the CDV delete.

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=206363
Dude, I'm going to Lowe's immediately after work lol.

[ZacharyMikel]

Dude, I'm going to Lowe's immediately after work lol.

Do the CDV delete while you're at it if you have some brake fluid and a little plastic tube. Sooooo worth it.

[09mageec]

Saving the CDV for another day... But, it'll be done.


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[ZacharyMikel]

Little update:

Still no clicking noise, clutch is grabbing like crazy with the CDV delete, and the car is shifting like butter (due to the clutch stop mod.)

It's never shifted this well since I've owned it... it's always been really notchy and clunky. I thought that was just how the car was, that it was due to the flywheel being worn or slack somewhere in the driveline... nope. My theory is that the factory clutch stop was toast. It seemed like its threads were stripped out. I bet the clutch pedal was being over-extended each time it was brought all the way to the floor, causing unnecessary wear and odd shifting from the trans.

[CarbonZHP]

Heads up. My 16lb chromoly flywheel makes a hell of a racket. I also did the clutch stop because for some reason the clutch pedal would grind if it was pushed to the floor.

[ZacharyMikel]

Heads up. My 16lb chromoly flywheel makes a hell of a racket. I also did the clutch stop because for some reason the clutch pedal would grind if it was pushed to the floor.

I think I would go OEM with a new dual mass if I replace the clutch assembly. Not going for high performance, especially with being in school. I need the ZHP to be 100% reliable.

[CarbonZHP]

Im in school but who cares. Living on campus, I only drive every other week.

[ZacharyMikel]

Im in school but who cares. Living on campus, I only drive every other week.

I have to work part time at a Verizon store 20 miles away, 4 days a week. Trying to keep her functional ya know [emoji18]