Clutch Issue? - United Bimmer Community

**dinan540** · 10-20-2005, 08:47 AM

I drive a 2001 540i with 48K miles.

I have a question concerning my clutch. My clutch "grinds" when I shift from 3rd to 4th if I shift hard and fast. If I shift slowly and hold the clutch pedal down longer, it doesn't grind. It is an audible sound if you have the radio turned low and you can feel it also. Any ideas? I just recently noticed this issue.

I am crossing my fingers that I don't need another clutch. I am the 3rd owner of the car and it has had 2 clutches previously. I have only driven it for 11K miles and would say that I don't drive my car hard. I live in Seattle and commute to the city with plenty of stop and go traffic.

All help is much appreciated.

Paul

**voca** · 10-20-2005, 08:58 AM

are you sure your shifting when the clutch is fully depressed? if it was your clutch you would probably experience the grinding sound on more than just one shift. what about 1-2? if it's harder to get into gear than it should be it's most likely a clutch thats not fully disengaging, but if it's just one shift it's possible that you have a habit of shifting before you get the clutch off the flywheel.

how many miles on that car? It's hard to believe that the previous owners could burn out two clutches that quick.

**jybute** · 10-20-2005, 09:07 AM

cluthes go quickly if they are not installed properly......... yes?
Make sure you use a dealership or trusted mech. Or if you can... do it yourself.

**dinan540** · 10-20-2005, 10:51 AM

So, I had my car at BMW Seattle. Shitty news, they say it is premature transmission failure and quote me $6000 for a new transmission. Talk about shocking. The car only has 48K miles on it.

**voca** · 10-20-2005, 11:02 AM

it's not covered by warranty? that's very shocking. did they explain what it was? like a bad synchro or something?

**jybute** · 10-20-2005, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dinan540

So, I had my car at BMW Seattle. Shitty news, they say it is premature transmission failure and quote me $6000 for a new transmission. Talk about shocking. The car only has 48K miles on it.

ouch

**dinan540** · 10-20-2005, 01:47 PM

BMW Seattle didn't say anything, it just needs a new tranny. For them, the easiest thing to do is replace the tranny and it is good to go. For me, I want a more reasonable fix. I talked to an independent shop in Seattle and they gave me some reasonable alternatives such as drive till it is a problem, used gearbox with service records, rebuilt gearbox, possible synchro.

The BMW service rep claimed that the car has a lot of wear and tear and that it probable was dragged. I am the 3rd owner and have put 11K miles on it. Even if someone drove it hard, I don't think the gearbox should fail with only 48K miles. Stay tuned.

Paul

**komodo** · 10-20-2005, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dinan540

Even if someone drove it hard, I don't think the gearbox should fail with only 48K miles.

I agree completely.

**dinan540** · 10-20-2005, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by komodo

I agree completely.

Komodo,

Any idea where I can find out if early production 2001 540i had been recalled or some mechanical bulletin?

Paul

**komodo** · 10-20-2005, 02:59 PM

Usually you can go here to view all BMW recalls:
http://www.alldata.com/recall/make/BMW.html

However I think their site is having problems right now. Try it, and if it doesn't work now, try again later.

**voca** · 10-20-2005, 05:00 PM

yeah 48,000 miles on a transmission should be next to nothing, theres no way the transmission should be failing already. I wouldn't just drive it until it's really a problem. if you do you might want to drive it in a way that it doesn't grind so you don't damage the gears teeth. but, to me it sounds like a worn out synchro on 4th gear.

**devinwwu** · 10-20-2005, 05:24 PM

i agree that 48k is way too little to have shit goin wrong. give me a call if you can source the part. we can maybe install it over my winter break up here in bham. i'll still be working on and off but i won't have class anymore so i could possibly do that. had to drop my tranny out to install the clutch and its fairly straight forward. probably just a little different for the big v8. sorry to hear that man!

**dinan540** · 10-20-2005, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by devinwwu

i agree that 48k is way too little to have shit goin wrong. give me a call if you can source the part. we can maybe install it over my winter break up here in bham. i'll still be working on and off but i won't have class anymore so i could possibly do that. had to drop my tranny out to install the clutch and its fairly straight forward. probably just a little different for the big v8. sorry to hear that man!

Thanks Devin. I would most likely try to find some parts and we could do it together. I am assuming we would need a tranny jack or something similar or we carry. That shit would be heavy. Found out today it has a dinan lightweight flywheel.

Komodo, it won't give me specifics on the web page.

If it is a bad synchro, what can you do, just replace it?

Paul

**devinwwu** · 10-20-2005, 08:18 PM

they aren't that heavy. with a floor jack i could easily maneuver mine alone. with your we could do it with both of us and maybe one person on the jack to be conservative, but i got some buddies up here who would probably help out for a six pack. David (addicted?) lives up here and is usually down to work on a car.

**c1apton** · 10-20-2005, 09:39 PM

Before you rip your trans out you might want to make sure it has the correct fluid in it. Some use ATF, some use Gear oil. Sometimes even the dealers screw-up during maintenance. Check your manual for the correct fluid and check the level. It seems really odd w/only 48k on it to have it grinding in higher gears.