Hey guys, this is my first post and I have a question about an R53 I just bought. Whenever I depress the clutch, I can hear a squeak coming from it. The clutch itself engages fine, the transmission shifts perfectly, and nothing ever slips. Any idea what this could be? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

Throw out bearing is my guess.

 

It's the throwout bearing carrier. It's made of plastic and not lubed. It's a common problem in the R53s. I had mine replaced twice under warranty. If left too long it can prevent complete clutch disengagement which will burn up the clutch.

 

Ugh, that sucks. How long can I go without replacing it? Do I really have to pull the engine and tranny to get to it?

 

Yes, you have to remove the trans to access it.

Mine does the same but only when the car is warm. You can't hear it with the engine running. I've always thought it's the plastic/poly bushings on the clutch arm. My Mini is an '06 MCS with 40k so I hope it's one of those many components that squeaks in a Mini.

 

Ha I just got mine yesterday and noticed this too. Damn and I thought I read everthing regarding this car. The squeak happens when the car is turned off. Shoot this sounds expensive. Should I also change a light flywheel and more heavy duty clutch while I am there?? What do you guys think?

 

Has anyone had any luck with greasing the output shaft of the slave cylinder?

 

Haven't tried to lube it myself yet... will do the next time I change the motor oil.

I've brought up the issue with Mini 2x and all they did was spray some lubricant on that clutch arm where the slave cylinder touches the arm. The problem is each time I picked up the car from service, the engine is cool so there was no noise... till I got home!!!

00m.u037 - I'm not spending $2k on the clutch unless I have too. Like yours, mine squeaks ONLY when the engine is warmed up and with the engine off. It could just be the arm and not the T/O bearing... I hadn't put my ears to it yet.

 

Unfortunately mine skueaks mostly when the engine is warmed up and running, not cold.

 

Baker - I meant to say the squeak is there when the engine is warmed up, but can only be heard with the engine off.

 

Hmm... I can definitely hear mine while the engine is on. Mostly when I'm in neutral putting it in first or something (at a stop light or something).

 

R53...same thing..Mine sounds more like a whistle. Only when cold (1st gear engagement of the day) one time out of ten, but never after initial squawk.

 

Lucky, the first engagement is probably the only time it doesn't do it for me.

 

Maybe the squeaker Minis should have a gathering and record an album, send it to BMW in Munich and let it go viral on the internet.

That will get their attention. :-)

 

I'm going to grease the output shaft tonight and see if that helps at all.

 

So the lower bolt holding the slave cylinder snapped when we tried taking it out. I guess we'll try again tomorrow.

 

i have the same squeaking sound. Except mine does it all the time ... hot, cold, engine on and engine off.

 

How long has it been like that for?

 

probably around 5 months.

in the first month of it happening i quickly regreased everything i could reach and that removed the biggest squeaks.
Now all that is left is a quick squeak everything i press/depress the clutch pedal. I should/will probably try to regrease everything properly as soon as i can

 

Our Clutch works fine. Engages nicely, but the pedal takes about 30 of pressure (Guessing).
Cold or hot, engine running or not, the clutch squeaks going in and as we release the pedal.
It pushes back out with almost the same force as it pushes in with. Does not actually seem like it is binding.
Feels like a lot of pressure from the fingers on the pressure plate. As if they are the problem.
It is too firm and when you press it in by hand with the engine off, you can feel a vibration as well as hear the sound of a constant almost rubbing going in and in releasing the clutch.

So, most of you think this is the Throw out bearing carrier?
Plastic rubbing?
Two grand for parts and labor?
Planning on putting the OEM clutch parts back in.
Anything you would suggest to make this a longer lasting repair this time?

2006 MCS

Still engages fine.. Makes me sick to think they have to pull everything apart.

Just want this problem to go away, so obviously we will have to throw the money at it..

What a waste.. BMW is better than this. $2.000.00 plastic part.
Wish it was something we could just lube.
Just drill a 3/8" hole and strategically place some grease right where it needs it, then insert a rubber plug to seal the hole.

I wish someone would post pictures of the parts that fail.
Plastic.. I just can not envision what parts are plastic. Like using plastic cook ware in your oven or on the stove top..

 

^I think someone was talking about drilling a hole for grease, but I'm not sure if it was ever done. If I were you I would just wait until you need a clutch. I wouldn't (and am not) pull everything apart just for the TOB. If it really bothers you and you really want to pull everything apart, you should definitely change the clutch while you're in there.

 

hi,
I think I am having the same problem described here (ie squeaky clutch after the car warms up about midway through the clutch throw) on my 2002 mcs. I have been noticing this since I bought the car last november and I feel like it has just been getting worse. The car is also harder to shift than I expected, but I am not sure if that is related. I want to get this fixed but I dont have the money to spend more than $1000 on this, and I dont have the time to DIY it (because of school). What should I do? Bring it to the dealer to have them check it out? I plan on getting under the car to see if just greasing the slave cylinder or wherever I hear the noise coming from will help.

Thanks