New clutch time

Pingu

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You could well discover that the release arm is knackered too.

Tony.
I replace the release bearing and the release arm. I've never bothered with the spigot bearing, as it's always been ok. Worth getting one just in case.

DMF is there to protect the gearbox, as is the clutch delay valve. The gearbox will rattle if you fit a solid clutch with a sprung plate. Fit a DMF if you aren't interested in performance. If you want performance, fit a lightened solid flywheel with a sprung plate, but the price you pay will be a noisy gearbox, and probably a stiffer clutch. The stiffer clutch may lead to the master cylinder clevis failing.


Just read that you've done the job now, so ignore the above!
 

t-tony

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I replace the release bearing and the release arm. I've never bothered with the spigot bearing, as it's always been ok. Worth getting one just in case.

DMF is there to protect the gearbox, as is the clutch delay valve. The gearbox will rattle if you fit a solid clutch with a sprung plate. Fit a DMF if you aren't interested in performance. If you want performance, fit a lightened solid flywheel with a sprung plate, but the price you pay will be a noisy gearbox, and probably a stiffer clutch. The stiffer clutch may lead to the master cylinder clevis failing.


Just read that you've done the job now, so ignore the above!
Still good advice for any future clutch fitters.:thumbsup:

Tony.
 

Andyboy

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The release bearing failed because either someone has been riding the clutch or the clutch hose is healing up inside. I had this on an E21 323i many years ago when it was 17 years old. The release bearing went through the cover so we fitted a new clutch. 500 miles later, it did it again. Basically, the hose would let fluid through but not fully back again so the release bearing was constantly in contact with the cover. It overheated, seized and made a right mess.

I really would replace the hose - you can remove the clutch delay valve at the same time. A hose will be about 40 quid. Use a pressure bleeder - you can 'flip' the seals in the master cylinder by pedal pumping.

The hose part number is 21526753766.
 

black fingernail

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The release bearing failed because either someone has been riding the clutch or the clutch hose is healing up inside. I had this on an E21 323i many years ago when it was 17 years old. The release bearing went through the cover so we fitted a new clutch. 500 miles later, it did it again. Basically, the hose would let fluid through but not fully back again so the release bearing was constantly in contact with the cover. It overheated, seized and made a right mess.

I really would replace the hose - you can remove the clutch delay valve at the same time. A hose will be about 40 quid. Use a pressure bleeder - you can 'flip' the seals in the master cylinder by pedal pumping.

The hose part number is 21526753766.
That is a very good theory, I know she doesn't ride the clutch, so that could be a cause, or maybe the delay valve is preventing fluid movement?
I'll have a good rummage and find that nice, braided pipe.
 

t-tony

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To be honest if it was the hose causing a problem you would likely have noticed a slight “slippage” as the fluid was released.

Tony.
 

Pingu

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I think the delay valve is just a restricted orifice which makes it harder to push the fluid through to open the clutch, and it takes longer to close the clutch. This makes clutch operation smoother if you are harsh on the pedal.

If I'm right, the delay valve is more likely to become blocked than the hose. Just get rid of the delay valve.
 

Andyboy

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To be honest if it was the hose causing a problem you would likely have noticed a slight “slippage” as the fluid was released.

Tony.
I didn't - the clutch felt fine....until it didn't.
 

Andyboy

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I think the delay valve is just a restricted orifice which makes it harder to push the fluid through to open the clutch, and it takes longer to close the clutch. This makes clutch operation smoother if you are harsh on the pedal.

If I'm right, the delay valve is more likely to become blocked than the hose. Just get rid of the delay valve.
It's not the delay valve - the hose degrades internally. You have the hydraulic pressure of your left leg to push fluid through but it cannot come back again. The same issue affects brake hoses resulting ind dragging calipers. I had a 1971 3.0 CS once with dragging calipers and a very bad clutch hose - you could depress the clutch, engage first gear, release the clutch and it took 3-4 seconds for drive to take up.

That was in 1999 so the car was 28 years old.
 

t-tony

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I didn't - the clutch felt fine....until it didn't.
When that happens on a brake hose the callipers sticks and the brake gets hot as you say, then you say the clutch took 3-4 seconds to take up drive, ie it slips. Which is what I meant happens.

Tony.
 

Andyboy

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It didn't happen like that on my 323i though. The first I knew of failure is when the pedal went absolutely solid. The release bearing was up against the clutch plate. Until then it seemed fine. When the hose was removed you couldn't blow through it.

ECP replaced the clutch under warranty though...
 
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