Clutch / Gearbox Rattle

[judderman]

My 07 3.0si makes exactly the same noise. I've read a fair bit about this and am not concerned about it.

[mjgerrard]

Thanks for the replies to the videos guys, sounds like they were useful.

I can't help but obsess over this but with so many others reporting the same fault I think it can be safely ignored for now.

Mike.

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2

[DPG]

Well the service manager and one of his tech's had a listen to mine and they reckon its either the release bearing or the flywheel.

Fly wheel is covered under warranty, release bearing isn't.

Best case scenario its the flywheel and replaced under warranty, worst case scenario its the bearing and I get a new clutch £600 lighter.

...........Or I can just ignore it

[Popey]

Ok so as a bit of a thread re-awakening I took some videos of my 3.0Si Sport E86 and the noise we're talking about. There's a bit of an intro on the first one but the noise is quite quiet. It's more pronounced on the 2nd video, where you don't really need any talking over it.

I've spoken with a colleague at work who had DMF failure and he agreed that I should get it checked out, given his experience of what it sounds like. I'll probably be using Soper BMW as we're doing some work with them (IT related) at the moment and I'll see what they say.

Just a couple of points:

- Noise is after a 50 mile journey
- Noise occurs in neutral with clutch not depressed, also a very slight rattle when operating clutch normally (But no slippage felt)
- No loss of drive or power, as far as I can tell
- Car is a 58 plate (2008) UK model
- Current mileage is circa 43,000 miles
- Car is under BMW AUC Warranty, so if it does need work I'll have to see whether this is covered.

Video #1


Video #2



Are any of your cars similar to this? It's a little hard to judge noise through Youtube, but the volume of the problem for me is quite noticeable (When fans are turned off).

Mike G.

OT but you sound like pilot

[corsaire77]

There is an excellent article on "gear rollover", as the phenomenon is called:

http://www.rsgear.com/articles/2008_08.pdf (especially page 2)

I haven't read a clearer and more logical explanation, so I wholeheartedly recommend it.

BMW E60, Focus, 350z and other cars equipped with the dual-mass flywheel are full of similar reports. Fortunately, a completely failed DMF sounds like a hammer knocking (many videos on youtube). Lightweight flywheels rattle more, as was the case with ZHP vs the regular 46. Replacing the flywheel/clutch has cured the problem in some Zed users' case, but we can be sure that sooner or later the noise will be back. I would not be a fan of using thicker gearbox oil - in winter it would make shifting even harder, especially with tired gear synchros.

[DPG]

So BMW think the rattle in mine is down to the release bearing.

However, after replacing, putting back together and test driving they are now saying that I need a new gearbox.

Where the f**k did they test drive it, silverstone.

I'm now Z less for 2 weeks as a new gearbox has to be delivered from Germany.

I've never noticed any issues with the gearbox in the past.

[benlumley]

The cynic in me would suggest that the dealer know that the AUC warranty will pay for it without asking questions in this scenario and it's easy money

[DPG]

You could be right.

I wonder how much a gearbox replacement would cost without warranty.

[corsaire77]

To quote the article above (my link two posts earlier, page 2), no matter what you do with the gearbox, it won't stop the rattle - unless the gearbox is totally fubar. The gear rollover in the gearbox is caused by drivetrain vibrations carried over through the flywheel.
I'd replace it first before changing the 'box.

350zs after DMF to solid flywheel conversion sound like mortar mixers, but still no gearbox issues. So do Mustangs.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YyFgTg57j0Y

Keep us posted how it eventually works out. Dealers have been known to replace the diff because of the clung (needs greasing) and the gearbox because of the flywheel chatter. My car's due for inspection next month, it's been chattering for ages, nowadays a tad louder - I'll do it at a local LUK garage and I'll try to do the clutch/flywheel combo first.

[TONYMOR]

Glad to read this thread as I've the same symptoms on my 3.0si I also find the gear box " notchy" at times been told this is typical also. Any comments ?.

[Swiftly]

I have the same symptoms on my 3.0si, which is worse when engine is fully warmed up. Not concerned as my dealer told me it was nothing to worry about and all zeds do it some some degree.

[jan_tekin]

The cynic in me would suggest that the dealer know that the AUC warranty will pay for it without asking questions in this scenario and it's easy money

Yep I'd agree

Although I didn't turn down there offer to replace the gearbox and clutch.

What's funny is when you go back after they done the work, the exact same noise that made them change the lot is perfectly normal and nothing to worry about

[TONYMOR]

That rumbling you displayed is exactly what I get on my 3.0 si.

[grumps]

I had this problem as well just after I bought mine (2007 E86 3.0 si) with 33,000 on the clock. I took it back to Barons, Farnborough where I bought it from and they replaced the DMF under warranty. So far, with another 5k on the clock, I haven't had any repeat of the problem.

[corsaire77]

The cynic in me would suggest that the dealer know that the AUC warranty will pay for it without asking questions in this scenario and it's easy money

Yep I'd agree

Although I didn't turn down there offer to replace the gearbox and clutch.

What's funny is when you go back after they done the work, the exact same noise that made them change the lot is perfectly normal and nothing to worry about

Because the clowns should've replaced the DMF.