21 51 500 Removing and installing or replacing clutch release bearing/lever

Detach release bearing (1).

Installation: 

Clean all sliding surfaces on clutch release bearing, check for damage and replace if necessary.

Do not  grease clutch release bearing.

Sliding surfaces (2) of clutch release bearing must rest on sliding surfaces (3) of release lever.

Apply a thin coating of grease to sliding surfaces (2) of release bearing.

Fig 1: Detaching Release Bearing

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See following graphic.

New clutch release bearing:

Clutch release bearing with moving thrust plate (1).

Swivel motion of thrust plate (1) possible.

Fig 2: Swivel Motion Of Thrust Plate

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Previous clutch release bearing:

Clutch release bearing with rigidly positioned thrust plate (1).

Swivel motion of thrust plate (1) not possible.

Fig 3: Thrust Plate

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Withdraw release lever (4) from spring wire clip (5) and remove.

Installation: 

Clean release lever.

Fig 4: Release Lever From Spring Wire Clip

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Apply a thin coating of grease to release lever at sliding surfaces (1 and 2) only.

Fig 5: Sliding Surfaces Of Release Lever

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Installation: 

Check spring wire clip (5) and ball pin (6) for damage and replace if necessary.

Apply a thin coating of grease to ball pin (6).

Fig 6: Spring Wire Clip And Ball Pin

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Note on installation: (except for E60/E61/E63/E64/M5 and M6) 

Do not  grease guide sleeve.

If guide sleeve is greased, the release lever can stick on the guide sleeve.

Clean guide sleeve (7).

Fig 7: Guide Sleeve

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