6- speed problems

[magpie]

i'm looking into getting my e36 m3 6-speed box fixed/refurbished .

the problem with the box is when warmed up after say 10 -20 miles when on tick over it makes a hell of a racket , i've changed the atf i put in to redline fully synth oil £40's worth and no change

after a couple of searches i've read a few threads on other forums of many people having the same issues but what i find worrying is that some people took there cars to bmw and the techs said that's just how it is they are all like that , another person added that some of the parts needed to fix it are not listed or released for sale .

the box changes gear perfectly it's just the tick over noise i cant have , makes the car sound like a mixer with two bricks in it at the lights .

can anyone shed some light on this, as to.. is it fixable and who can fix it .

the box is out now and replaced with a zf 5-speed with shit m/way mpg's

[ajay]

What does the 5 speed sound like on tickover..? When you dip the clutch with the 6 speed does the rattle stop..? Have you replaced the dual mass flywheel for a single mass light flywheel..?

[Simon13]

Mines a bit like that in my e36. I'm not worried just the getrag chatter

[DanThe]

Definitely a getrag thing, thicker oil usually quietens them

[jimbom30cab]

Mine rattles when warm also in neutral with the clutch engaged.

Got used to it now

[maxfield]

It's rare a getrag doesn't rattle. I wouldn't worry about it.

They sound a lot worse with a stripped out interior.

[HairyScreech]

They all rattle, I heard something about using an oring as a damper on later boxes to provide a tiny amount of friction and stop the shaft chattering?

Your light flywheel will not help.

About the only thing you can do easily is change the oil or raise the idle speed by tricking the ECU with the air con input.

[magpie]

this sucks .

[magpie]

silly question ... clutch plate wear , will i reduce it's life sat at lights with clutch dipped or does it only wear upon release ?

[DanThe]

You will wear the clamping spring if you constantly hold your foot on it nothing else

[magpie]

the thing that eats the bell housing when it lets go

are all e36 flywheels dual mass ?

[DanThe]

Thats not the clamping spring thats the drive straps

Yes every E36 flywheel I've seen has been dual mass

[magpie]

how much weld [mm] is needed on the clutch fork to accommodate the m20 b20 thrust bearing ?

is it the 323i e21 thrust bearing that works a straight fit ?

[jmc330i]

About 5mm needs to be added to use an E30 M20 bearing iirc. And yes to the E21 323i bearing.

[magpie]

About 5mm needs to be added to use an E30 M20 bearing iirc. And yes to the E21 323i bearing.

cheers

[daimlerman]

The noise is the first motion shaft?

Just a thought,is the spigot bearing a snug fit onto it?

(As the actress said to the Geordie)

[HairyScreech]

I think its the unloaded layshaft rattling (oscillating) when the box is out of gear, the engine pulses are not smooth so the slight speed up and slow down of the crank at idle is enough to set up a rattle in the layshaft, that's why the answer was to add a tiny bit of friction to the shaft, enough to stop it oscillating and chattering against the other gears.

[Simon13]

My M5 box is quiet, same box with an M30 style bellhousing. On my E36 i used a solid flywheel kit for an e36 328i It all bolted on fine and works perfectly. Its not as light a setup as the M20 fly route though. The clutch is alot bigger than M20 and it doesn't slip even with the 250lbs the 3.2 chucks at it

The e21 thrust bearing works on the 5 speed boxes with an M20 fly so id expect it would on a 6 speed. Your tight though Mick and i had to pay £70 for mine from the dealer over 5 years ago. Certainly won't be any cheaper now from BMW

[magpie]

lol simon , i'm waiting for costsworlds reply .

The rattle at idle is the lay gear having a bit too much play/backlash. I wouldn't worry about it. If it bothers you that much drain it and bang some EP90 in there - not even remotely recommended by the manufacturer but it'll quieten it down. I did this on a five speed E46 unit and it's still going now and the gearshift is fine - a bit baulky in very cold weather.

i think the box is going back in and i'll try this EP90 malarkey