Heavy clutch - Some Concerns

[Nic_s]

So I got my 540 back yesterday with it's brand new clutch.

Now... the old clutch was pretty worn, but it didn't slip unless provoked to do so. Then one morning something gave way and I had no clutch. Turns out that the pipe that goes to the slave cylinder had burst/exploded. My mechie, who worked for bmw for a long time, said that it must be the heavy worn clutch. So I had the clutch replaced and there is now a new pipe in too.

Here's the problem, I think it feels almost heavier than what it did before and is tricky to drive (Although I should probably just get used to it still). My mechie said he expected the new clutch to be lighter and so did I. He did say that he can see it's a more sporty type clutch and that it should be beefier than normal. How much more... :dunno:

Rick540 had a go at the clutch a few months ago and thought it's OK, but I don't feel comfortable with it at all. What's stopping the new pipe from exploding now?

When someone turbo's their car and, let's say, double the power out put, it's a good bet they'll need a clutch to handle then new power. These clutches tend to be pretty heavy from what I understand. So what else do they do so the master/slave cylinder and piping can handle the extra pressure caused by the heavy clutch?

 

[rick540]

When I tried the clutch I definitly noticed it has a springyness I didn't like. Typically a clutch is springy but then lightenes up a bit when fully depressed.

These cars are not known for failing clutch servos so I wouldnt worry about it, the hydraulics are designed to handle extreme pressures and the previous one took 14 years odd to break.

If you are really worried drop by this weekend and I'll look at the pedal assembly, maybe something there is out of adjustment.

Since I felt your clutch pedal and got the M5 which also has a massive clutch, it's only about half as hard to press, so something must be up there.

To answer your question about exploding pipes, you can fit a pipe with steel braiding over the rubber. freely available on Ebay

 

[Nic_s]

I had a look on RealOEM now to try and see if there is anyway to adjust it, but you either can't or you just can't see it from the images on RealOEM. :dunno:

Thanks Rick. Would really appreciate you taking a look even if to just put my mind at ease. I have no plans for the weekend. So just let me know when works best for you :thumb:

 

[navigator]

keep us posted!!:=):

 

[Raybimmer]

Normally the hydraulic clutch has no adjustment .From e36 experience the Sachs clutches I have fitted have been stiff , but they take quite low , which makes pull offs tricky if not paying attention .Good luck .

 

[Fordkoppie]

Normally the hydraulic clutch has no adjustment .From e36 experience the Sachs clutches I have fitted have been stiff , but they take quite low , which makes pull offs tricky if not paying attention .Good luck .

Weird, because when i had a new sachs clutch fitted to my ex e36 M3 it was softer than a 1400 nissan bakkie. felt almost abnormally soft, but it never slipped and the new owner has used the car for spinning since and the clutch still survives, so i guess there were nothing wrong

 

[Nic_s]

Could anything in the pick below cause the problem I have?

 

[navigator]

opcorn:opcorn:

 

[Nic_s]

opcorn:opcorn:

Do you also have a heavy clutch issue? What car you drive?

 

[Raybimmer]

What causes stiff clutch ? Springs in pressure plate ? What if cdv ( clutch delay valve ) is blocked ?

 

[Sankekur]

I would think the spring of the pressure plate would be the most likely suspect here, considering the hydraulics are still the same as before (unless I am mistaken)

 

[Nic_s]

A friend of mine talked about his dad having similar issues with his 950 Moto Guzzi and it turned out to the springs. His dad just took them apart and refitted them properly and his issues were solved.

The hydraulics is still the same and the E34 didn't have the CDV. So I'm also thinking that it might be the springs, but I have no idea if they can be re-fitted properly, or tuned, or if I just have to replace them. :dunno: Will be doing some more Googling to try and learn more.

 

[rick540]

The only thing I can think of is the bush that the release bearing slides on is tight.

Once the clutch is depressed how much effort is required to keep it pressed in?

I'f it's only hard whilst moving it, it's a mechanism problem, if it's hard to press and hold then it's a spring problem.

Also have you checked the part number of the slave cylinder? Are you 100% the right one is fitted? Please PM me your VIN and I can look some stuff up that may help.

 

[Nic_s]

The only thing I can think of is the bush that the release bearing slides on is tight.

Once the clutch is depressed how much effort is required to keep it pressed in?

I'f it's only hard whilst moving it, it's a mechanism problem, if it's hard to press and hold then it's a spring problem.

Also have you checked the part number of the slave cylinder? Are you 100% the right one is fitted? Please PM me your VIN and I can look some stuff up that may help.

I was also thinking it might be the bush the bearing slides on, but the effort needed to hold the clutch down is just as much as while pressing it. It also returns fine.

The issue I have is that RealOEM shows our SA build 6 speeds with an auto. So I can't look up any of that info. PM Sent.