Need a new clutch

[epj3]

My clutch has started to feel a little soft - as in it's friction point is about half an inch down from the enguaged position. It does not feel as solid as it has been, and ever since my mom took her little starting-in-3'd-gear-all-the-time drive, it's been a little odd. I know I can adjust the slave cylinder, but the clutch will still need to be replaced. (the van was in the shop so she really had no choice)

I believe it is the original factory clutch, so after 168k miles, it is okay if it needs replaced.

My question is -- what should I buy to replace it with? Should I replace anything else down there at the same time?

I'll be replacing the clutch, the driveshaft center support bearing & flex disk (guibo), and the catalytic converter.

I understand I'll have to replace the clutch, release bearing, etc. but what all will i be replacing?

 

[jrt67ss350]

Get yourself a clutch kit that includes the clutch disc, the diaphragm, and throwout bearing. Also replace the nylon pivot pin that the clutch release arm pivots on (costs about $1). You might also consider replacing the stamped steel release arm. I know that they wear on GM cars, so I imagine they do on BMWs too. They only cost about $12 from taylorautomotive.com. If the output shaft seal and selector shaft seal on the tranny are leaking, replace those while you've got it out (they are prone to leaking on e30s). To do the job, you'll need to get yourself a set of female Torx sockets to remove the bolts from the bellhousing to engine. Be sure to get a good set of Torx sockets - crappy ones will break on you since those bolts are tight! Change the oil in your tranny while your at it as well.

My car will need a clutch sometime soon as well. I found an independent BMW shop that will do it for me for $450. It's not worth me dealing with doing it myself for that good of a price.

By the way, are you sure you can adjust the slave cylinder? I pretty sure you can't.

 

[epj3]

Get yourself a clutch kit that includes the clutch disc, the diaphragm, and throwout bearing. Also replace the nylon pivot pin that the clutch release arm pivots on (costs about $1). You might also consider replacing the stamped steel release arm. I know that they wear on GM cars, so I imagine they do on BMWs too. They only cost about $12 from taylorautomotive.com. If the output shaft seal and selector shaft seal on the tranny are leaking, replace those while you've got it out (they are prone to leaking on e30s). To do the job, you'll need to get yourself a set of female Torx sockets to remove the bolts from the bellhousing to engine. Be sure to get a good set of Torx sockets - crappy ones will break on you since those bolts are tight! Change the oil in your tranny while your at it as well.

My car will need a clutch sometime soon as well. I found an independent BMW shop that will do it for me for $450. It's not worth me dealing with doing it myself for that good of a price.

By the way, are you sure you can adjust the slave cylinder? I pretty sure you can't.

Wow, if i found a shop that will do it for around $400, maybe i'd have them do it -- then again, I wouldnt mind getting the hands-on experience.