Standard Issues
- Subject: New-design clutch-release bearing
- Vehicle Applications: BMW with manual transmission
- Essential Reading: Rebuilder, R & R
- Author: Gabe Vajda
New BMW applications with manual transmissions will use a newstyle release bearing. This new release bearing will incorporate two different mounting positions. The different positions will change what is known as the fork-to-face dimension.
The fork-to-face dimension is simply the distance from where the release fork pushes on the bearing to the face of the bearing that contacts the diaphragm fingers on the clutch. With this new innovative design, one release bearing with both short and long mounting positions will be able to adapt to many more vehicle applications than a conventional-style release bearing.
All North American BMWs will use the short (28.5mm) mounting position. All European BMWs will use the long (33.5mm) mounting position.
Using the incorrect long mounting position (33.5mm) on North American BMWs may result in a clutch-slipping condition and damage the clutch and disc friction material. There may also be drivability concerns such as undesirable clutch-pedal feel and operating point, such as a high pedal.
Gabe Vajda, ASE certified technician, is a technical-support engineer for the LuK, FAG and INA product lines of Schaeffler Group USA Inc.