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

WARNING: This page does not describe the selected car, but rather 8 other vehicles, including the 2012 BMW 328xi, 2012 BMW 328i, 2011 BMW 328xi, 2011 BMW 328i, and 2010 BMW 328xi. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

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: Removing Release Bearing

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NOTE: Graphic similar

IMPORTANT: Only on E60/E61M5 M5 and E63/E64 M6 (7-speed SMG transmission) - lightly grease guide sleeve.

Previous clutch release bearing:

Clutch release bearing with moving thrust plate (1).

Swivel motion of thrust plate (1) possible.

Fig 2: Moving Thrust Plate

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

Clean release lever.

NOTE: Illustration similar.

Fig 1: Removing Release Lever From Spring Wire Clip

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Previous release lever

Installation:

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

Fig 2: Identifying Grease Applying Area Of Release Lever

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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).

NOTE: The spring wire clip and ball pin must always be replaced on the S6S 420G transmission.
Illustration similar.

Fig 1: Identifying Spring Wire Clip And Ball Pin

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Clean guide sleeve (7).

Installation:

Except for E60/61 M5 and E63/64 M6 (7-speed SMG transmission) - do not grease guide sleeve.

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

NOTE: Illustration similar.

Fig 2: Identifying Guide Sleeve

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