BMW 316 clutch change advice

[pipTheGeek]

Not sure how I got involved in this, but I'm helping a friend change the clutch on his '97 316 and we would like opinion from people on the following.

Should we take the engine and gearbox out, or change the clutch with them in place?

We don't have access to pit or proper car lift, we have got to do this with the car up on jacks. We do have an engine hoist though.

We are leaning towards taking the engine and gearbox out, then change the clutch.

So, what you all think? Has anyone here done this job and got any other advice for us?

[Tonka777]

Drop the prop shaft and take the gearbox out i'd say, but I've not done a clutch on a 316, yet.

[GoNz0]

as above, remove the main engine fan to allow you to tilt the engine once the gearbox mounts are out. undo the propshaft and lower out the way using rope to support it. exhaust system off after the manifold, remove the gear linkages from the box, remove the slave cylinder and tie up out the way.

take off the heater bulkhead (stops the engine catching it) and undo the cable duct thats on it.

you then need to use an engine lift to support the rear of the engine, BMW state to use a special tool to support the engine on the sump using a metal bar that hangs off the wishbone mounts, i guess a jack and plank of wood will do fine.

the BMW TIS then says to drop the engine until the head almost comes in contact with the firewall, you then have the room to get the gearbox out.

[pipTheGeek]

Thanks everyone. Sounds like we will go with just dropping the gearbox rather than removing both. And I'll be back calling you names if it doesn't go well.

[Georgio1990]

Deffently take out the prop shaft and then the engline on the 316's.

[GoNz0]

lets hope its not a dual mass flywheel or that will need swapping as well.

they didn't bother when they did it in my car when i brought it and the clutch lasted 10000 miles, i do not slip the clutch or pull off at 5k rpm

[JacSmith]

I got to repair my clutch as well but removed everything else. But it worked fine in the end though.