E30 318is Clutch Change

Post Thu Jul 26, 2012 1:57 pm

Hi Guys.

My clutch has started slipping and needs to be replaced and I've just got a few questions.

1) Other than the clutch kit, is there anything else people would advise changing at the same time? Standard maintenance jobs that are easy to do while your changing the clutch?

2) I'm going to be tuning the car soon, looking at putting either a turbo or supercharger on it, so are there any aftermarket kits people would advise? I've looked into the Black Diamond kits, but not much else.

3) Are there any pitfalls to the change? I've looked at how do it it and it seems pretty straight forward. But it's nice to check.

4) Flywheels. I'd like to lighten it slightly if possible. Does anyone know where to get a single mass m42 flywheel from? I don't really want to do the M10 conversion if I can avoid it.

Thanks in advance.

Post Thu Jul 26, 2012 2:00 pm

a well documented and proven fly swap is the M20 fly, not sure on the weight difference, but it's 'lighter'..

Post Sat Jul 28, 2012 7:26 am

I've read a couple of different accounts on how hard it is, but i'll look into it again. Have you done a clutch before?

Post Sat Jul 28, 2012 8:10 am

There's a clutch swap guide in the wiki, although it's biased towards engines that are already out of the car:

http://www.e30zone.net/e30zonewiki/inde ... ing_Clutch

Post Sat Jul 28, 2012 5:19 pm

E30 flywheels - M42 included - are single mass. But they're bloody heavy. Changing a clutch on the ground is a cow of a job. Getting the two starter nuts and bolts off is fun, and so is getting the gearbox back on. I have two 5 inch lengths of threaded M12 bar - screw them into the back of the engine either side of the flywheel, lift the box up and onto these bars and slide it forward. Leave the box in gear so you can shove the box on, and turn the output flange at the same time to fully locate it. At least the little 240 box isn't heavy.

Post Sun Jul 29, 2012 8:29 am

You can use a trolley jack to take the weight of the gearbox as you slide it out/in.

Make sure you mark how the fexible Guibo comes off and mark the propshaft universals as well and if you split the propshaft first mark the two halves.

You may as well inspect the Guibo and the centre bearing for wear once you are there.