Throw-out/release bearing noise: '15 6MT M4

[heitzke]

Vehicle in question:
'15 M4 6MT ~ 65k miles on original clutch/equipment running BM3 Stage 2 with downpipes/mid-pipe/filters/4-pin hub/etc.


Posting up to see who/if others have had the same issue. It's definitely a new noise unfortunately for me.

It feels very obvious to be a TOB/release bearing noise but it's still a little odd to me. It's a light tapping noise vs. what i'm more used with other vehicles being a chirping type.

It starts when the pedal reaches just past the ~3/4 mark of travel inward. Light light tapping noise that also goes away with the tiniest increase of RPM. My exhaust isn't too too loud so I can still hear pretty decently and seems to go away around the 1300-1400 RPM range.

No noise present when the clutch is back past the 3/4 mark. I don't necessarily want to go through with the TOB maintenance yet since i'd also do the clutch while i'm in there, but I also don't want the TOB to seize/implode and leave me stranded somewhere.

Any thoughts/advice here?

[MadM2C]

Originally Posted by heitzke

Vehicle in question:
'15 M4 6MT ~ 65k miles on original clutch/equipment running BM3 Stage 2 with downpipes/mid-pipe/filters/4-pin hub/etc.


Posting up to see who/if others have had the same issue. It's definitely a new noise unfortunately for me.

It feels very obvious to be a TOB/release bearing noise but it's still a little odd to me. It's a light tapping noise vs. what i'm more used with other vehicles being a chirping type.

It starts when the pedal reaches just past the ~3/4 mark of travel inward. Light light tapping noise that also goes away with the tiniest increase of RPM. My exhaust isn't too too loud so I can still hear pretty decently and seems to go away around the 1300-1400 RPM range.

No noise present when the clutch is back past the 3/4 mark. I don't necessarily want to go through with the TOB maintenance yet since i'd also do the clutch while i'm in there, but I also don't want the TOB to seize/implode and leave me stranded somewhere.

Any thoughts/advice here?

They are loud from the factory. Its louder on my m4 than any of my other previous shitboxes ive owned lol.

[heitzke]

Originally Posted by MadM2C

They are loud from the factory. Its louder on my m4 than any of my other previous shitboxes ive owned lol.

Haha ok, so it's possible I just hadn't noticed? I've been afraid it's just going to seize up or something.

[F80Vue]

I also have a knocking noise from the bearing that goes away when the clutch is pressed in. It's been there since I've owned it and the dealer never said anything is wrong with it during service. I figure it's just the way it is.

[TouringM3]

I have the same thing - and noticed it a LOT more after having updated the transmission support / mount bushings to the ECS polyurethane.

My mechanic / buddy took a listen to it yesterday and confirmed that it is the dual-mass flywheel noise and that it is perfectly normal.

[heitzke]

Originally Posted by TouringM3

I have the same thing - and noticed it a LOT more after having updated the transmission support / mount bushings to the ECS polyurethane.

My mechanic / buddy took a listen to it yesterday and confirmed that it is the dual-mass flywheel noise and that it is perfectly normal.

Ok thank you. I SWEAR I didn't used to hear the noise, but it's also possible that i'm just more attuned to the vehicle and noises these days.

[Gunzy]

I had a similar issue and actually ended up being the clutch. It threw one of its springs and got caught and was rotating and grinding on the bellhousing. It ended up getting progressively worse. When they pulled the trans to replace the TOB and clutch fhe little spring was caught on the clutch and started to file away at the bellhousing.

[Gunzy]

Get an OEM clutch kit from FCP Euro. It has a lifetime warranty so when it ends up going you can send it back and get another clutch kit for free. Cheap as well, around $375.

[heitzke]

Originally Posted by Gunzy

I had a similar issue and actually ended up being the clutch. It threw one of its springs and got caught and was rotating and grinding on the bellhousing. It ended up getting progressively worse. When they pulled the trans to replace the TOB and clutch fhe little spring was caught on the clutch and started to file away at the bellhousing.

That's very interesting. I feel somewhat confident that the noise is getting more pronounced in my case as well. It's very mechanical sounding and definitely goes away entirely when the driveline is coupled.

Sitting in neutral with the clutch out I get the *tap tap tap tap* cyclical noise, and as soon as the clutch gets 75% of the way in the noise disappears entirely.

I think i'm at a point of waiting a few more weeks and see how the noise shifts (if at all) before actively doing anything else about it.

[heitzke]

Updating this thread as I learn/diagnose more. The noise is definitely getting worse - slowly but surely.

It no longer dissipates at moderate RPM in neutral and continues to spin. The noise has also grown to be more characteristic of a TOB - more spinning/whirring/chirping than mechanical tapping.

I'm going to ride it out a little longer but looks like I'll at the very least be clutch shopping here very soon.

[heitzke]

Update #37: TOB indeed is dying and getting progressively louder.

The shop I work with is/was really surprised by the failure, but shit happens. It came down to the choice of paying the 6.5-7 shop hours to replace a $70 part, or going ahead and preemptively doing a clutch, checking the rear main, etc.

At the recommendation of them and a few other local owners, doing a Spec twin disc, but probably going to leave the CDV since I don't really race the car.

Why the Spec: I also plan on doing Pure S2+ sometime in the spring w/ flex fuel so the factory clutch replacement won't hold.

Yeah but why so much clutch?: Talking to a few very particular local owners, it's not TOO chattery, feel isn't too heavy and I can set it once and forget about it.

[heitzke]

Ok, so looks like it wasn't a TOB. Car is in for the clutch today and this is what they found.



Looks like I broke a disc somehow?

[heitzke]

About to go pick the car up now.

More pics of clutch carnage and apparently did some damage inside the bell housing, but just some light scouring and nothing structural it seems.

What it's supposed to look like:


How it was going:


Should be all good now, but figured i'd at least wrap up the post/thread with HERE is what was making my noise.