87 bmw 325e wont go into 1st unless rev over 3k

[rich6044]

Clutch still doesnt fully release. Im becoming more convinced i dont have the correct pilot bearing. Due to the fact that the imput shaft wont travel through it. But every resource i have gone to says its the correct size for my model. Are there any variations of input shaft sizes in the getrag 260? Like i said my clutch kit came with 2 pilot bearings. One too big and one too small i think

[rich6044]

Also do you think a slave cylinder with a longer throw might solve this problem?

[Speedtouch]

Doubtful, if the input shaft is still being kept rotated by the pilot bearing being incorrect.

Maybe worth filing/milling the tip of the input shaft down a bit so it's a good fit in the pilot bearing...

[Brianmoooore]

There's only two sizes of pilot bearing that it will be, and if the larger bore bearing is a slack fit on the input shaft, then the smaller bore one is the correct one.
Inspect the end of your input shaft for burring, and remove if necessary, but go easy - it's a precision fit, machined to very close tolerances, so don't get carried away.
How deep is your bearing pushed into the end of the crankshaft?
I can see a possible correlation between the symptoms you describe and the input shaft not being located. At low revs, the shaft will wobble around, the clutch disc will not be sitting parallel to the flywheel and cover plate faces either side of it, and the clutch will 'drag'. As revs increase, centripetal forces will come into play, and tend to centralise the input shaft without assistance from a bearing, and the clutch will work.

[Speedtouch]

Could also be worth checking the clutch plate is centralised, by slackening off the pressure plate and using an appropriate clutch centreing tool.

[martauto]

Maybe worth filing/milling the tip of the input shaft down a bit so it's a good fit in the pilot bearing...

I would like to bet that the end of the shaft has been bruised as it takes very little to prevent a sliding fit, the untrained eye could miss this.
Take a piece of wet and dry and gently rub it around the end of the shaft and look for high spots ie, areas which will shine and gently file them away but ONLY on the end of the shaft.

Mart.

[rich6044]

Pilot bearing is about 1 to 1 1/2 deep. As far as how far the pilot bearing pushes on input shaft maybe a lttle less than the thickness of the bearing its self. But there is no way a little sanding is going to make fit through the bearing. I guess im asking if it is correct that the pilot bearing only go as far as the tip of the input shaft? Or should the input shaft be able to travel all the way through the bearing. If the latter is the case then i need a new size pilot bearing

[martauto]

I really need some pics of this , we are worlds apart in describing engineering problems.

Cheers Mart.

[Brianmoooore]

Pilot bearing is about 1 to 1 1/2 deep.

= 25mm to 38mm. Bit of a range there, but if it is correct, and the measurement is at the higher end of that range, then this is the problem.
The front face of a spigot bearing is normally set about 8mm in, and the spigot of a BMW input shaft is about 25mm long, so if it's that far back, then the input shaft simply isn't reaching the bearing.

[rich6044]

thankyou 4 your posts! I'm gonna drop the tranny again this weekend. took your comments to local e30 guy he agrees pilot bearing should travel length of input shaft so I know what direction to head. whether it be sanding down input shaft or finding a new bearing to fit it at least I finally know what the problem is. I will keep you posted, this time with pics

[martauto]

Pilot bearing is about 1 to 1 1/2 deep.

= 25mm to 38mm.

Of course , the old English thing

Mart.

[rich6044]

okay dropped tranny and took an emory cloth to the input shaft. got the pilot bearing to slide over whole length of shaft. while I have the tranny out does anyone have any other suggestions as to what could be causing the problem?

[Gavt]

Check the splined part of the input shaft for corrosion or a step caused by the friction plateif a step is present it may be able to be dressed out. Try to slide the friction plate up and down it there shouldnt be much resistance. Clean the splines also and apply a thin layer of fresh grease.

[Speedtouch]

+1. Also maybe a drop or two of engine oil on the input shaft bearing, letting it soak into the bearing.

[martauto]

Check the splined part of the input shaft for corrosion or a step caused by the friction plateif a step is present it may be able to be dressed out. Try to slide the friction plate up and down it there shouldnt be much resistance. Clean the splines also and apply a thin layer of fresh grease.

+ 1
Things like this could very easily be missed or not thought about.

Mart.

[rich6044]

Thank you! Thank you!! Thank you!!! I have been battling this problem for more than a year!!! FIX: sanding down the input shaft with emery cloth until pilot bearing slid over shaft full length. For any one who has the same symptoms and cant figure it out drop ur tranny and check how pilot bearing fit on input shaft of tranny. Mine appeared just fine to the naked eye and would never have known it was warped without this thread. car shifts just fine now and a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders! thanks again,
j

[Speedtouch]

Good to hear you got this sorted.

[Brianmoooore]

Is the pilot bearing still positioned so deep into the end of the crankshaft?

[martauto]

IThen it struck me, if the input shaft is moving then the clutch will not work as it should so after the massive investment of £1.06 on a new spigot bearing ,everything was fine again.
These often are overlooked but play a very important part.

Mart.

Glad you have sorted it mate.

Mart.

[Brianmoooore]

IThen it struck me, if the input shaft is moving then the clutch will not work as it should so after the massive investment of £1.06 on a new spigot bearing ,everything was fine again.
These often are overlooked but play a very important part.

Mart.

Glad you have sorted it mate.

Mart.

Missed that!
So, I'll change the question to " where have you positioned the new spigot bearing"

[rich6044]

Pilot bearing is pretty much flush with the the pocket

[Brianmoooore]

Pilot bearing is pretty much flush with the the pocket

In that case it should be fully engaging with the spigot on the gearbox input shaft, as it should be.
Hopefully no serious damage will have been done to the gearbox and/or crankshaft thrust bearings from the abnormal lateral loads that must have been applied to them when the engine and box were previously forced together.