New to me 2004 S. With the car off, just depressing the clutch pedal, I feel more resistance in the final 3-5" of travel (approaching the floor) and at the same time, hear a "Grunch" sound.

I also feel the resistance and the grunch through the pedal when driving/shifting.

Feels like something needs lubricated. I popped the hood to see if I had a clutch master cylinder reservoir,....don't see a second reservoir, so, thinking that either clutch and brakes share the single reservoir,...or could the clutch be cable actuated? If so, could a dry clutch cable be the culprit? If cable, can it be lubed, or must it be replaced.

Brian in Austin

 

Problem is the throw-out bearing guide tube. Common problem. No way to lubricate.

 

You would have to take the transmission off to get to the guide tube.

Guide tube. 23117551719

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/23117551719/



and

Release Bearing ( throw out bearing ) that slide on it. 21517547077

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/21517547077/




http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/show...16#23117551719

 

Mine kind of does the same thing.....it's a little gritty sounding/feeling at the last few inches of travel. Like everyone else is saying...it's the guide tube.

I'm just going to live with it until the clutch needs replacing....then I'll get to it

 

Basically, you should just live with it until you have to replace your clutch. At Helix, the clutch job is about $1300 all-in, so you'd have to be bothered that much to go through the trouble to fix it--Once you remove the trans to get at the guide tube, you would also want to replace the clutch kit as well. One note: the bad guide tube can sometimes destroy the throw out bearing which can break apart in the bell housing. There is a very small chance that the bits that go flying around can break the trans case right at the diff. If that happens, we can weld the hole in the case, so don't be convinced that you need a new transmission.