E90Post
 


 
BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum > BMW E90/E92/E93 3-series General Forums > General E90 Sedan / E91 Wagon / E92 Coupe / E93 Cabrio > Weird Clutch Problem



Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      05-10-2011, 02:18 AM   #1
rexsevn
Private
8
Rep
75
Posts

Drives: 335i
Join Date: May 2011
Location: SoCal

iTrader: (0)

Weird Clutch Problem

First Post!
Unfortunately not good news, this morning my 07 335i coupe was running great, no problems what so ever, until I drove into a gas station, I immediately heard a loud and audible grinding noise coming from under the car. I thought I must have gotten a flat tire and I was running on the rim (this had happened recently on the same car, sounded very similar). I stopped the car, turned it off, and inspected my tires. Everything was normal. I was confused and went back inside the car. I started the car, placed it in gear and couldn't get it to go. The engine had no contact with the transmission, I released the accelerator expecting a stall but nothing. I placed the car in other gears to see if it would catch but also nothing, higher gears reproduced the loud audible sound I mentioned earlier. All I have is a revving engine as though I was in neutral. Placing it in reverse provides the same effect.

I suspected that maybe my clutch had gone bad but I don't recall experiencing any symptoms of a typical clutch going out. There was no slipping of the clutch, nor was there any of the burnt smell that is usually found on a bad clutch. This has really been a dumbfounding experience.

Any advice or help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
Appreciate 0
      05-10-2011, 02:46 AM   #2
username604
Colonel
username604's Avatar
United_States
124
Rep
2,554
Posts

Drives: bmw
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: repair shop

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2008 BMW 335i  [10.00]
Being stranded after midnight at a gas station. I hope you can get towed, and if you're under warranty and maintenance, try getting bmw assist to tow you to a dealership for free. I doubt they'll be opened, so maybe catch a ride home?
I hear that bmw replaces a clutch once under the maintenance plan. Hope you're in warranty, and good luck.
Appreciate 0
      05-10-2011, 09:33 AM   #3
rexsevn
Private
8
Rep
75
Posts

Drives: 335i
Join Date: May 2011
Location: SoCal

iTrader: (0)

Unfortunately, my warranty expired a few months ago. I'm at 33k miles, luckily I wasn't too far away from home and had a friend who was willing to give me a ride.

Has anyone ever had a similar problem?
Appreciate 0
      05-10-2011, 10:29 AM   #4
Monster900
Zeed
Monster900's Avatar
Canada
17
Rep
561
Posts

Drives: E92 335i
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Detroit, MI

iTrader: (0)

Is clutch pedal behaving normal as before the incident and can you shift car into gear? If that was the clutch you wouldn’t be able to shift into any gear or even if you were able to force it into gear it would make grinding noise and the car would stall afterwards. Looks like it might be either transmission, driveshaft or rear diff.
Appreciate 0
      05-10-2011, 10:34 AM   #5
rexsevn
Private
8
Rep
75
Posts

Drives: 335i
Join Date: May 2011
Location: SoCal

iTrader: (0)

The clutch pedal feels smooth, unremarkable... The shifting is exactly the same as if nothing had ever happened. Only thing to note is that while having the shifter in gear nothing happens. Its as if I was still in neutral.

Do you have any advice as to how I can check these things? I have the bentley's service manual at home, I haven't been able to check.

Thanks and I appreciate all responses.
Appreciate 0
      05-10-2011, 10:43 AM   #6
Gregxi
First Lieutenant
Gregxi's Avatar
United_States
64
Rep
338
Posts

Drives: 2014 535xi
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: MD

iTrader: (0)

I dont know if this is possible but could your have sheared your shift lingage off?
The car would feel as it was in gear by the shifter going into the gate up top but perhaps the sound you heard was something hitting it underneath and ripping it off

I would get underneath it and take a look around
Appreciate 0
      05-10-2011, 10:56 AM   #7
rexsevn
Private
8
Rep
75
Posts

Drives: 335i
Join Date: May 2011
Location: SoCal

iTrader: (0)

Are you suggesting that perhaps the ball joint from the shifter to the transmission may have broken and therefore it is not placing it in gear?
Appreciate 0
      05-10-2011, 11:47 AM   #8
Gregxi
First Lieutenant
Gregxi's Avatar
United_States
64
Rep
338
Posts

Drives: 2014 535xi
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: MD

iTrader: (0)

Yea something like that, I am not familar with the linkage set up but it sounds like all you are doing is shifting through the gates, you mentioned a noise I am assuming that was what snapped the linkage.
Appreciate 0
      05-10-2011, 12:37 PM   #9
The HACK
Midlife Crises Racing Silent but Deadly Class
The HACK's Avatar
1817
Rep
5,337
Posts

Drives: 2006 MZ4C, 2021 Tesla Model 3
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Welcome to Jamaica have a nice day

iTrader: (1)

Throw out bearing.
__________________
Sitting on a beat-up office chair in front of a 5 year old computer in a basement floor, sipping on stale coffee watching a bunch of meaningless numbers scrolling aimlessly on a dimly lit 19” monitor.
Appreciate 0
      05-10-2011, 01:12 PM   #10
k3m0-330i
Major
k3m0-330i's Avatar
United_States
73
Rep
1,375
Posts

Drives: 08 335xi
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Albany Ny

iTrader: (12)

Garage List
2006 330i  [0.00]
gear linkage like the lever to trany? check that out happend to my old bmw.
__________________
Current 2008 M6 e63 v10 6mt
Current 2012 e70 x5 35i -jb4
2008 335xi e92- Sold
2007 335i e90 - Sold
2002 Taig / Red / / / M3 - SOLD
Appreciate 0
      05-10-2011, 08:15 PM   #11
Healey3000
Second Lieutenant
4
Rep
291
Posts

Drives: 2008 328i, with 3 pedals
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: San Francisco Bay Area, USA

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by scorpnaz7 View Post
First Post!
Unfortunately not good news, this morning my 07 335i coupe was running great, no problems what so ever, until I drove into a gas station, I immediately heard a loud and audible grinding noise coming from under the car. I thought I must have gotten a flat tire and I was running on the rim (this had happened recently on the same car, sounded very similar). I stopped the car, turned it off, and inspected my tires. Everything was normal. I was confused and went back inside the car. I started the car, placed it in gear and couldn't get it to go. The engine had no contact with the transmission, I released the accelerator expecting a stall but nothing. I placed the car in other gears to see if it would catch but also nothing, higher gears reproduced the loud audible sound I mentioned earlier. All I have is a revving engine as though I was in neutral. Placing it in reverse provides the same effect.

I suspected that maybe my clutch had gone bad but I don't recall experiencing any symptoms of a typical clutch going out. There was no slipping of the clutch, nor was there any of the burnt smell that is usually found on a bad clutch. This has really been a dumbfounding experience.

Any advice or help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
Hi,

Sorry to hear of your problem. Let's step through the drivetrain from front to back to see if we have thought of all possible culprits:

Dual-mass flywheel - a failure there would not result in these symptoms.

Clutch disc - if this has completely disintegrated, you could have no engagement but the clutch might feel normal. The input shaft to the gearbox may not spin, depending on the type of failure. Grinding noises may result.

Gearbox - As others have mentioned, the shifter may not be actually moving the shift forks. However, I think it's doubtful that grinding noises would result and for that reason, I don't think the problem lies here.

Driveshaft - If these cars use the traditional BMW guibo to couple the output shaft of the gearbox to the driveshaft, then it is possible that yours has failed (there may also be one at the differential end). Grinding noises are possible if it has shattered such that there is no coupling but it's able to spin freely. Likely suspect.

Differential - A stripped pinion gear would do the same thing with respect to noises and lack of traction. However, it's hard to imagine such a failure as other things are likely to go first.

There is one thing you mention in your post that leads me to believe that the problem is downstream of the gearbox and that is that the "noise is louder in higher gears". This suggests that the rotating object that is causing the noise is changing RPM based on your gear selection, therefore, downstream of the gearbox.

Simple things go wrong more commonly so my first inclination would be to check to see if the driveshaft is rotating at all. If it is, the guibos would be the next thing to check. Basically, divide the problem areas into pre-gearbox and post-gearbox. At least that reduces the number of things to consider.

Good luck and please let us know what you find.

Regards
Appreciate 0
      05-10-2011, 10:33 PM   #12
rexsevn
Private
8
Rep
75
Posts

Drives: 335i
Join Date: May 2011
Location: SoCal

iTrader: (0)

Wow! Thanks for all the help! This Friday I'll begin inspecting the car as you said, from pre-gearbox to post gear-box. I really hope this problem isn't too bad.

I will definitely keep you guys updated with anything I find. Thanks!
Appreciate 0
      05-13-2011, 05:51 PM   #13
rexsevn
Private
8
Rep
75
Posts

Drives: 335i
Join Date: May 2011
Location: SoCal

iTrader: (0)

Problem solved! It was after the gearbox. Somehow the left rear axle came out from it's diff axle.
Appreciate 0
      05-13-2011, 07:05 PM   #14
Gregxi
First Lieutenant
Gregxi's Avatar
United_States
64
Rep
338
Posts

Drives: 2014 535xi
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: MD

iTrader: (0)

WHY????
That does not happen without some type of help
Did you pop it back in yourself or did you bring it to shop/ dealer to fix??
Appreciate 0
      05-13-2011, 07:39 PM   #15
Healey3000
Second Lieutenant
4
Rep
291
Posts

Drives: 2008 328i, with 3 pedals
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: San Francisco Bay Area, USA

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by scorpnaz7 View Post
Problem solved! It was after the gearbox. Somehow the left rear axle came out from it's diff axle.
Hi,

Glad you found it. However, for a half-shaft to come free from the differential or hub means that something is broken. Not sure about these cars but on many, the CV joint is what provides the connection with a snap ring on the shaft that gets trapped inside the differential and hub.

The snap ring may have broken off or the CV joint is coming apart. It may be a good idea to replace the half-shaft as that will get you a new CV joint and an opportunity to examine the snap ring. Chances are, you will have the same problem again if you don't get to the bottom of this.

Regards.
Appreciate 0
      05-13-2011, 11:29 PM   #16
driverman
Captain
United_States
38
Rep
715
Posts

Drives: 2008 328i 6MT - SOLD
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: El Dorado Hills, CA

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Healey3000 View Post
Hi,

Sorry to hear of your problem. Let's step through the drivetrain from front to back to see if we have thought of all possible culprits:

Dual-mass flywheel - a failure there would not result in these symptoms.

Clutch disc - if this has completely disintegrated, you could have no engagement but the clutch might feel normal. The input shaft to the gearbox may not spin, depending on the type of failure. Grinding noises may result.

Gearbox - As others have mentioned, the shifter may not be actually moving the shift forks. However, I think it's doubtful that grinding noises would result and for that reason, I don't think the problem lies here.

Driveshaft - If these cars use the traditional BMW guibo to couple the output shaft of the gearbox to the driveshaft, then it is possible that yours has failed (there may also be one at the differential end). Grinding noises are possible if it has shattered such that there is no coupling but it's able to spin freely. Likely suspect.

Differential - A stripped pinion gear would do the same thing with respect to noises and lack of traction. However, it's hard to imagine such a failure as other things are likely to go first.

There is one thing you mention in your post that leads me to believe that the problem is downstream of the gearbox and that is that the "noise is louder in higher gears". This suggests that the rotating object that is causing the noise is changing RPM based on your gear selection, therefore, downstream of the gearbox.

Simple things go wrong more commonly so my first inclination would be to check to see if the driveshaft is rotating at all. If it is, the guibos would be the next thing to check. Basically, divide the problem areas into pre-gearbox and post-gearbox. At least that reduces the number of things to consider.

Good luck and please let us know what you find.

Regards
Great post!
Appreciate 0
      05-14-2011, 05:24 PM   #17
Healey3000
Second Lieutenant
4
Rep
291
Posts

Drives: 2008 328i, with 3 pedals
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: San Francisco Bay Area, USA

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by driverman View Post
Great post!
Thank you!
Appreciate 0
      05-14-2011, 05:46 PM   #18
jopa489
Major General
United_States
122
Rep
6,594
Posts

Drives: Anything with Wheels
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: USA

iTrader: (9)

Quote:
Originally Posted by driverman View Post
Great post!
+2, very informative. And agreed with Healey3000 that something must be broken for this to happen. Even if you just "popped" it back into place, it's likely to occur again. Definitely get it looked at by a professional to see where the real problem is.
__________________

X7 LCI // Incoming
C7 ZR1 ZTK // Sebring + TRX // Hydro + Raptor Gen1 Roush // Tuxedo
Appreciate 0
      05-14-2011, 06:21 PM   #19
driverman
Captain
United_States
38
Rep
715
Posts

Drives: 2008 328i 6MT - SOLD
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: El Dorado Hills, CA

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by jopa489 View Post
something must be broken for this to happen. Even if you just "popped" it back into place, it's likely to occur again. Definitely get it looked at by a professional to see where the real problem is.
+1
Appreciate 0
      05-18-2011, 12:32 AM   #20
rexsevn
Private
8
Rep
75
Posts

Drives: 335i
Join Date: May 2011
Location: SoCal

iTrader: (0)

I was a bit ambiguous in the way I described the axle when i found it. I placed my car on a lift and noticed that all six bolts that hold the axle to the rear diff had been unscrewed somehow. I have no idea how these bolts could have come off.

hahah I'm not exaggerating, the bolts were actually and completely off from the rear diff. Luckily they were all still present. The axle itself was still in perfect condition, nothing was broken. I used thread lock to reattach the axle to the diff and test drove it. Everything was perfect.

I am concerned though, how could have these bolts come to the point where they were loose and eventually off? No idea...

I will keep a close eye on it though. Thanks for all the help! I really appreciated all the input...
Appreciate 0
Reply

Bookmarks

Tags
bad, clutch, revving

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:52 PM.




e90post
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST