320d clutch/flywheel problem - or is it?
Discussion
Our '05 E46 320d Touring (135k miles) has just developed a grumbly noise when the clutch is depressed. It only makes that noise for the first half of the pedal travel though - noise goes away when the clutch is fully depressed.
First thought was DMF/clutch replacement, but other owner descriptions I've read don't include this part about the noise disappearing when the clutch is fully down. Thought I read somewhere about a pulley bearing being a possible reason, but can't find that now.
Any BMW brains out there who can shed any light on this? Thanks
First thought was DMF/clutch replacement, but other owner descriptions I've read don't include this part about the noise disappearing when the clutch is fully down. Thought I read somewhere about a pulley bearing being a possible reason, but can't find that now.
Any BMW brains out there who can shed any light on this? Thanks
Sounds to me like the clutch release bearing, not the whole clutch, however it's strange that the noise disappears with the pedal fully pressed, maybe it's just in the early stages of failure.
If I'm correct it may be possible to drive the car until things get worse (it won't do any harm if the clutch is not slipping). However if you need to replace the release bearing it will be necessary to take out the gearbox so the biggest part of your cost will be labour. At that stage you may as well consider replacing the disc and pressure plate too, because the extra costs will be mainly parts.
If I'm correct it may be possible to drive the car until things get worse (it won't do any harm if the clutch is not slipping). However if you need to replace the release bearing it will be necessary to take out the gearbox so the biggest part of your cost will be labour. At that stage you may as well consider replacing the disc and pressure plate too, because the extra costs will be mainly parts.
Thanks very much for these replies both.
People seem to lump the BMW clutch pack and the DMF together on the grounds that if you're in there you might as well replace bot,h but is it always the case that if the clutch is being replaced the DMF will also definitely need replacing at the same time? Would it be a false economy to not replace the DMF?
Hate throwing away perfectly useable components if they're still good to go.
People seem to lump the BMW clutch pack and the DMF together on the grounds that if you're in there you might as well replace bot,h but is it always the case that if the clutch is being replaced the DMF will also definitely need replacing at the same time? Would it be a false economy to not replace the DMF?
Hate throwing away perfectly useable components if they're still good to go.
OK, I just spoke to Richard at Brystones, who is a nice guy as reported, he is 99% certain it's the DMF, based on one they did a couple of days ago he reckons about £1100 to sort it. My local non-specialist small operator mentioned £900 a couple of days ago (also using the same LUK pattern parts as Brystones) but that was just a rough estimate, I need to have a proper conversation with him next week.
Thanks again for the advice on here.
Thanks again for the advice on here.
If it is the DMF you should make provision for checking the starter. Sometimes dust from a failing DMF can get into a starter and cause it to fail. Indeed a handy test for the DMF would be to pull out the starter and see if there is any dust on it. Unfortunately this test is not viable if the starter is difficult to access, I don't know how accessible it is on your car.
What did the problem turn out to be in the end? Any updates?
My 2004 320d does exactly this (181,000 miles). When the clutch is pressed down it makes that noise for the first half of its travel, then the noise disappears when it is pressed right down. I was wondering if it was the dual-mass flywheel on its way out.
The sound is slightly grumbly, as described above. A bit like the sound of skateboard wheels running on a pavement, if you know what I mean. A dry, scouring sound.
My 2004 320d does exactly this (181,000 miles). When the clutch is pressed down it makes that noise for the first half of its travel, then the noise disappears when it is pressed right down. I was wondering if it was the dual-mass flywheel on its way out.
The sound is slightly grumbly, as described above. A bit like the sound of skateboard wheels running on a pavement, if you know what I mean. A dry, scouring sound.
Afraid we never found out as we sold the car instead! Told the next owner about it, he was going to mend it himself he reckoned.
Replaced it with an '03 Focus 1.6 which also has a clutch bearing noise! A whine this time. Thankfully it doesn't have a DMF and apparently it's OK to carry on indefinitely with the noise. Maybe yours will be the same. Good luck.
Replaced it with an '03 Focus 1.6 which also has a clutch bearing noise! A whine this time. Thankfully it doesn't have a DMF and apparently it's OK to carry on indefinitely with the noise. Maybe yours will be the same. Good luck.
Ahh, possibly a lucky escape for you then!
I did a bit of reading since I last posted and found a few more mentions of the same problem on other forums. It seems from what was being said that this can be attributed to a dual-mass flywheel problem.
Usually I only experience problems that no one else in the history of mankind has ever previously experienced, so it's nice to finally suffer something that other people are too!
I did a bit of reading since I last posted and found a few more mentions of the same problem on other forums. It seems from what was being said that this can be attributed to a dual-mass flywheel problem.
Usually I only experience problems that no one else in the history of mankind has ever previously experienced, so it's nice to finally suffer something that other people are too!
Edited by 3528 on Friday 14th March 14:54
I never heard from the new owner but he seemed confident in his ability to mend it. Getting it done by the trade could be up to £1k if you have everything done while they're in there. Jury's out on whether you actually need to need everything done of course. Like many things in motoring it's a gamble.
Hi
I have the same problem that when I pushed the clutch pedal half to three quarters down the noise disappears and then one day pedal went straight to the floor which then made it impossible to get any gears, which ended up to be the clutch slave cylinder had poked a hole in the clutch lever and the slave cylinder piston was rubbing against the pressure plate, so I had to drive home in 2nd gear .
So I went and fitted a clutch with the help of a friend, we replaced the clutch bearing , pressure plate, clutch plate and the clutch lever oh and of course the slave cylinder and after getting all back together it still had that grumbly thrust bearing noise.
I was under the illusion that if you rocked the DMF sideways and up and down, looking for any movement or lag between the DMF turning and the flywheel you would know if the DMF needed changing . Mine had no movement so I didn't change it and now i'm thinking I should of done.
I have the same problem that when I pushed the clutch pedal half to three quarters down the noise disappears and then one day pedal went straight to the floor which then made it impossible to get any gears, which ended up to be the clutch slave cylinder had poked a hole in the clutch lever and the slave cylinder piston was rubbing against the pressure plate, so I had to drive home in 2nd gear .
So I went and fitted a clutch with the help of a friend, we replaced the clutch bearing , pressure plate, clutch plate and the clutch lever oh and of course the slave cylinder and after getting all back together it still had that grumbly thrust bearing noise.
I was under the illusion that if you rocked the DMF sideways and up and down, looking for any movement or lag between the DMF turning and the flywheel you would know if the DMF needed changing . Mine had no movement so I didn't change it and now i'm thinking I should of done.
Hi all today I was driving and approached a roundabout In 6th and didn’t press the clutch down quick enough for the car to not judder and nearly at all etc..
Soon after this happened I heard a load noise from under neath the car.
Pulled over and switched the car off.
Started it back up and a load noise was noticeable like a rattle each time I release the clutch but sounds perfect when it’s pressed.drives perfect and changes gear fine. Any info would be appreciated thank you very much. Car is a 318d 2008
Soon after this happened I heard a load noise from under neath the car.
Pulled over and switched the car off.
Started it back up and a load noise was noticeable like a rattle each time I release the clutch but sounds perfect when it’s pressed.drives perfect and changes gear fine. Any info would be appreciated thank you very much. Car is a 318d 2008
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