Okay I just started to feel like the tranny is slipping the last month and has gotten worse. Now It slips so much the traction control lights up and stays on. Well I don't know what it could be. Feels like clutch and its makes a squealing noise I think. Hard to hear over the supercharger. lol So for any input.

If it is a clutch how hard is to change the clutch myself. I am a boat Tech not a car tech so never changed clutch before.

 

I don't think a slipping clutch will light up the traction control light.....not sure, but are sure you are feeling something slip? A bad wheel speed sensor could cause the traction control to kick on, reducing HP...just a thought. I'm sure someone with more experience will chime in! Good Luck!!

 

Is this a stick or an automatic?

If it's an auto box, it could be slipping.

If it's a stick it could be a clutch....

And yes, I know there are clutch packs in an auto trans,and those can slip. If it's an auto, then you're in for a total o'haul or replacment, and it could definitely cause the trac control light to come on.

If it's a stick, I'm not so sure about the trac light, but a slipping clutch is pretty obvious, especially in the taller gears when on it hard. It's also a lot less expensive to fix......installing a new clutch is within the ability of someone who has good mechanical skills, adequate tools and a clean warm well lit place to work. Trying to do it on a gravel driveway with a pair of channel locks and a hammer, is probably not so do-able.

Which do you have, Pines?

 

the squealing noise could be the clutch. Mine sounds like chewbacca when I start driving in the morning. It will have to be replaced at some point. The way to tell if its a clutch is when moving shift from 2nd (higher rpms) to 4th and stomp the gas as you release the clutch. If the rpm's float and dont quickly drop to where they should be in 4th then your friction disc is done.

 

Well its a 6 speed. It does not sound like chewbacca.. lol The thing it slips when taking of fast. Its mostly slips when I get into the 5k rpm band or more. In 1st and 2nd gear. Once it starts slipping the traction control goes on and stays on. Now before any of these problems I would drive with traction control ON all the time. When If I would start spinning tires the traction control light would blink and slow the car down till tire spin stop and then car would speed back up. (This all happens in a few seconds) Now I have felt a little bit of a slip for a month or 2. Now it got really bad when I went to get on the highway and the traction control went kind of crazy when the car started to spin tires around corner. Since then car has been slipping like crazy. Now does the Differential on these cars go bad? If it was bad wouldn't the car just not drive? Thanks for the help

 

Sounds like the clutch is most likely gone....but I'm thinking you have a wheel speed sensor going out too....just a coincidence that they are both going out at a similar time. Hopefully keeping this thread near the top will get one of the true"PRO's" to read this, and get you and answer!

 

when that traction control light comes on and stays on is there some sort of fault code stored that you can retrieve to find out why the light is coming on?? If so what can I use to retrieve it? Is it basically just the Mini factory scan tool or maybe something like AutoEnginuity or can a place like AutoZone pull the code with their generic scan tool? Thanks hopefully this will help us both out to figure out why our dsc light is coming on.

Steve

 

Well Zippy you are right!! Took it to Friends BMW shop and says traction control sensor is going bad. Then after taking test drive you can hear the clutch grinding.. So new clutch here I go...

 

Sorry I was right.....but at least you can get it back on the road quicker now. Good luck!!

 

Are u gonna tear it down yourself?

I saw one being worked on at a BMW shop. They had to support the engine, remove the front sub-frame and suspension to get to the transmission.

 

Nope my friend owns a Repair Shop the specializes in BMW and Mini. He is charging me $600 for the labor. I figure thats pretty fair after calling around a few shops wanting more than $1200 for labor I am guessing its a good deal. If someone can chime in on what they paid for labor please due. Thanks

 

So what clutch should I get? I want the best bang for the buck. Should I replace flywheel? Has anyone used ACT ?

 

$600 for labor is a good price. Is the shop in SoCal? ... as I will one day need clutch replacement.

If you decide to replace the flywheel, many have recommended getting a conventional one instead of the Dual Mass Flywheel.

 

Well its in Hollywood.... Holywood FL That is

Thats great news I am getting a deal then I have been friends with his son for 12 years so I would hope he would hook it up..
Thanks guys for input. NAM member close to me just PM me clutch and flywheel. So lets see how much he wants.

 

Dude the "FL" in the 1st sentence depresses me!!!

Whatever flywheel & clutch you decide on, let us know how it feels/drives.

 

You have no choice but to get a new flywheel...the old dual-mass one is not re-surfaceble.....they are also $$$ to replace.....just about everybody I've heard of has gone to a standard flywheel, or a light weight one....for a fraction of the price of OEM.

Are you looking for a OEM equivalent?
The Valeo unit is supposed to be the same as OEM....WayMotorWorks says he has installed a few...says feels like OEM...just check the throw-out-bearing first, he said a few in the kits he has seen were iffy. That install price sounds great!! I've heard of $900 labor deals....so $600 is the cheapest I have ever heard of!! Congrats!

 

Well fellow local NAM'er Selling me a new CM Stage 3 and flywheel for $600 So I will give you updates as project moves along.

 

i have the same problem, but mine is caused by cold tires and too much torque :P my wheels will slip during the winder in 1st and sometimes 2nd gear from 4k to 6.6k rpms if i punch it, and the tc light will come on. but it goes of as soon as the car gets grip again...

 

My clutch just went out on me last week too. I was quoted 11.5 hours labor at $80, so yes you are getting a great deal!
It started off with my clutch bearing making the chewbaca noise then a few days later..no clutch.

 

Are these bearings made of recycled plastic? The BMW shop where I saw a Mini's clutch being replaced also had the throw-out bearing in pieces. I've driven a few manual cars and none of their bearings failed. It was either the clutch or the disc, never the bearing.

 

So I was thinking about doing it myself again.. Does anyone have DYI instructions around here? or maybe a few pages of the service manual..

 

WOW, you go girl....keep me informed if you DIY!

 

Nope Thats a pic of my wife...