VERY slight vibration / rattle on clutch engage

Sweedishfishy · 06-05-2010, 10:07 AM

Hi there,

I have a 335i 6MT Sedan which is normally very quiet. The loudest noise when not racing around is usually the DVD in the nav system, as it searches around for map info.

I've noticed recently that when I engage the clutch, there is a quiet but noticeable vibration or rattle going on somewhere near the transmission.

It goes away after fully engaged, but is audible with almost every shift at low speeds (when it's quiet enough to hear it - it's very subtle).

It's more audible if you engage slowly with the clutch alone and no gas. If I blend-engage and ensure to do it extremely smoothly, I think I can avoid it. But it's not easy.

I have 29k miles, bought it at 21k, never had a major problem. I think I'm also due for a 30k warranty check up.

questions:
- what is it?!
- what should I ask BMW about it? (special words that they can write on their maintenance form to get them to really hear it....and fix it?)
- should I be worried?

Thanks for the advice.

Healey3000 · 06-05-2010, 01:09 PM

Hi,

What you are hearing is the dual-mass flywheel. As you engage and disengage the clutch, the masses can move relative to each other and "clunk".

All dual-mass flywheels inherently have this characteristic. If it's really loud, it may indicate failure of the flywheel. A subtle sound is annoying but normal. The behavior of the flywheel is linked to the gearbox. Input shaft gear "flicking" can also happen and the idea is that a dual mass flywheel quiets the gearbox.

From what you are describing, I'd say your car is fine. But, if you have concerns, do have it checked out, assuming it's still under warranty.

Regards,
Adnan

Sweedishfishy · 06-05-2010, 01:10 PM

Wow - great reply. Thanks so much for the info!

pimp4cheddar · 05-04-2012, 01:31 PM

Just wanted to bump this old thread...

I recently had my clutch replaced by BMW at 24k miles.

The new clutch is much smoothier...but I now feel a vibration as I push the clutch pedal all the way down. It goes away once I press the pedal to the floor...it's a vibration I feel as I'm pushing and releasing...

I took it back to the dealership two days ago as they were installing some speakers that were on back order...and I had them take a look at the clutch pedal. They found nothing wrong...

It doesn't feel right. The car shifts just fine...rough as always...but this vibration is new and started after they installed the new clutch!!

Anyone have any experience???

YANFRET · 09-08-2012, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Healey3000

Hi,

What you are hearing is the dual-mass flywheel. As you engage and disengage the clutch, the masses can move relative to each other and "clunk".

All dual-mass flywheels inherently have this characteristic. If it's really loud, it may indicate failure of the flywheel. A subtle sound is annoying but normal. The behavior of the flywheel is linked to the gearbox. Input shaft gear "flicking" can also happen and the idea is that a dual mass flywheel quiets the gearbox.

From what you are describing, I'd say your car is fine. But, if you have concerns, do have it checked out, assuming it's still under warranty.

Regards,
Adnan

I hate that sound! I'm so paranoid about my 6MT that it drives me nuts but it is REALLY SUBTLE, only with everything off and windows up can you hear it... but I'm so crazy that sometimes I don't listen to the stereo so I can play the coconuts game of shifting smooth enough to dodge that tiny little noise at low speeds OMG

I've only had the car for a week so maybe I'l get over it next week, or maybe I'l get over it after the dealer has a look and tells me it's okay, of course (49k miles)

marshall834 · 09-08-2012, 10:13 PM

Glad this came up - I have recently been having this issue too. Very good explanation - thanks!

sosas07335i · 11-29-2012, 01:22 AM

sounds more like the throw out bearing rattling, i have the same problem

longhorn335 · 04-23-2013, 09:50 PM

Same here, this rattle/vibration is so annoying... Yesterday it seemed like the stars were aligned and my shifting was flawless.. And the rattle didnt happen a single time even during low rpm stop and go traffic so far during my commute back home... Then as i was pulling into my driveway and during the final clutch disengagement... Clunk clunk clunk.. Ugh!

longhorn335 · 04-23-2013, 09:51 PM

So what about replacing the flywheel with a heavier one i thats even available?

Touren · 07-05-2013, 07:51 AM

I have this rattle in my recently purchased 2010 E91... i'm glad i found that it's not unusual, i was worried my clutch or trans was on the way out. I'll ask about it at the next service anyway.

Grendeltouring · 07-05-2013, 01:08 PM

I've got a strange hesitation when on and off the throttle in 3rd gear in my E91 manual (most noticeable in third) as if there's too much play in the dual-mass flywheel, I've also been getting some clutch judder when engaging the clutch up hills and when slowing down in third gear. Dealer couldn't of course find anything wrong, I'm going to try another dealer. My car has 30k on it.

06-05-2010, 10:07 AM	#1
Sweedishfishy New Member 3 Rep 13 Posts Drives: 07' Montego Blue 335i sedan Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Southern California iTrader: (0)	VERY slight vibration / rattle on clutch engage Hi there, I have a 335i 6MT Sedan which is normally very quiet. The loudest noise when not racing around is usually the DVD in the nav system, as it searches around for map info. I've noticed recently that when I engage the clutch, there is a quiet but noticeable vibration or rattle going on somewhere near the transmission. It goes away after fully engaged, but is audible with almost every shift at low speeds (when it's quiet enough to hear it - it's very subtle). It's more audible if you engage slowly with the clutch alone and no gas. If I blend-engage and ensure to do it extremely smoothly, I think I can avoid it. But it's not easy. I have 29k miles, bought it at 21k, never had a major problem. I think I'm also due for a 30k warranty check up. questions: - what is it?! - what should I ask BMW about it? (special words that they can write on their maintenance form to get them to really hear it....and fix it?) - should I be worried? Thanks for the advice.
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06-05-2010, 01:09 PM	#2
Healey3000 Second Lieutenant 4 Rep 291 Posts Drives: 2008 328i, with 3 pedals Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: San Francisco Bay Area, USA iTrader: (0)	Hi, What you are hearing is the dual-mass flywheel. As you engage and disengage the clutch, the masses can move relative to each other and "clunk". All dual-mass flywheels inherently have this characteristic. If it's really loud, it may indicate failure of the flywheel. A subtle sound is annoying but normal. The behavior of the flywheel is linked to the gearbox. Input shaft gear "flicking" can also happen and the idea is that a dual mass flywheel quiets the gearbox. From what you are describing, I'd say your car is fine. But, if you have concerns, do have it checked out, assuming it's still under warranty. Regards, Adnan
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06-05-2010, 01:10 PM	#3
Sweedishfishy New Member 3 Rep 13 Posts Drives: 07' Montego Blue 335i sedan Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Southern California iTrader: (0)	Wow - great reply. Thanks so much for the info!
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05-04-2012, 01:31 PM	#4
pimp4cheddar El Capitán 521 Rep 2,652 Posts Drives: BSM X3M Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: USA iTrader: (25)	Just wanted to bump this old thread... I recently had my clutch replaced by BMW at 24k miles. The new clutch is much smoothier...but I now feel a vibration as I push the clutch pedal all the way down. It goes away once I press the pedal to the floor...it's a vibration I feel as I'm pushing and releasing... I took it back to the dealership two days ago as they were installing some speakers that were on back order...and I had them take a look at the clutch pedal. They found nothing wrong... It doesn't feel right. The car shifts just fine...rough as always...but this vibration is new and started after they installed the new clutch!! Anyone have any experience???
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09-08-2012, 10:13 PM	#6
marshall834 Captain 87 Rep 602 Posts Drives: 2021 BMW M2 Comp Join Date: May 2012 Location: Minneapolis iTrader: (8)	Glad this came up - I have recently been having this issue too. Very good explanation - thanks! __________________ Past: 2015 A3 E90 335i E46 323ci B6 Audi S4
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11-29-2012, 01:22 AM	#7
sosas07335i Private 5 Rep 81 Posts Drives: 2007 335i sedan Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: ny iTrader: (2)	sounds more like the throw out bearing rattling, i have the same problem
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04-23-2013, 09:50 PM	#8
longhorn335 Private First Class 8 Rep 190 Posts Drives: 08 335i Coupe Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Houston iTrader: (1)	Same here, this rattle/vibration is so annoying... Yesterday it seemed like the stars were aligned and my shifting was flawless.. And the rattle didnt happen a single time even during low rpm stop and go traffic so far during my commute back home... Then as i was pulling into my driveway and during the final clutch disengagement... Clunk clunk clunk.. Ugh!
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04-23-2013, 09:51 PM	#9
longhorn335 Private First Class 8 Rep 190 Posts Drives: 08 335i Coupe Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Houston iTrader: (1)	So what about replacing the flywheel with a heavier one i thats even available?
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07-05-2013, 07:51 AM	#10
Touren New Member 5 Rep 19 Posts Drives: 2015 i3 REX Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Ontario, Canada iTrader: (0)	I have this rattle in my recently purchased 2010 E91... i'm glad i found that it's not unusual, i was worried my clutch or trans was on the way out. I'll ask about it at the next service anyway.
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07-05-2013, 01:08 PM	#11
Grendeltouring Private 6 Rep 84 Posts Drives: '11 E91 M-sport/manual Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Seattle iTrader: (0)	I've got a strange hesitation when on and off the throttle in 3rd gear in my E91 manual (most noticeable in third) as if there's too much play in the dual-mass flywheel, I've also been getting some clutch judder when engaging the clutch up hills and when slowing down in third gear. Dealer couldn't of course find anything wrong, I'm going to try another dealer. My car has 30k on it.
	Appreciate 0 Quote