HOW TO REPLACE A CLUTCH ON A BMW | CLUTCH & FLYWHEEL REPLACEMENT

How to replace the clutch and flywheel on a BMW using no special tools.
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[@andrewharrison9412]

I feel for you George, I am 70 years old and done a few of those, The old ford sierra springs to mind. Well Done.

[@GeorgeAusters]

Thanks Andy!

[@metalworker007]

Yeah, ford sierra, cast iron bell housing and box, effing heavy ..and i did not have George's muscles- that was hard. well done George - nothing to point out this time .:)

[@lilhunk69]

My god yes, the 4x4 was an absolute nightmare to do

[@nonameh3re328]

Actually the first clutch i changed in my life was a Ford Sierra one, it was pretty easy in my opinion :D

[@wayneduval7847]

That was another level George. When you were pulling the gearbox out, I felt my balls pull up. 😮 Great job and well done to you.

[@GeorgeAusters]

😂

[@bigboss2961]

😂😂😂😂

[@spencereagle1118]

You produce some of the best how to video's on KZbin, George. No nonsense, no annoying soundtracks, nicely filmed and edited, well done.

[@GeorgeAusters]

Appreciate it Spencer!

[@ronpersaud529]

You achieved wonders mate , glad you are still young and fit .. you dont want to be doing too many of those on your back.

[@Alan-gx8gf]

I am 65 and this reminds me of my first Car .....a Vauxhall Victor FE 1800 Clutch , done in February 1982 during a slight snow storm on car ramps in the street . What I learned without going into boring detail is , when you are doing the Clutch etc do everything , it saves lifting out the Gearbox again ! 😪.......🤣

[@GeorgeAusters]

Yep.. you definitely don’t want to be removing it again!

[@lorenzostanzani1146]

I did the same thing to my 118d (m47) a year ago. To reinstall the gearbox, I placed two long wooden poles beneath it, and then two of my friends lifted it 'vertically'. This way, I only had to align it with the clutch, nice job George

[@GeorgeAusters]

Yes it would be a lot easier with 3 people hahaha

[@Thanu214]

Lots of respect for not using a lift. I was thinking about doing a clutch at home, but every DIY video i saw had the car going up on a lift. It put me off from doing until i saw this video. Bravo 👏🏾 👏🏾 👏🏾

[@CarAuctionUK]

This clutch job had me feeling like I wrestled a bear! Hilarious seeing you struggle to put the gearbox back in - been there, done that! Great video though, really informative and relatable.

[@ronpersaud529]

This will become your flagship. Well done George, yes you did take a bit of chance and lucky you didnt hurt yourself.

[@iwishcolincampbell1541]

Brings back so many memories when replacing clutches on my back in my 20s I'm 62 now and no more of that .thanks for sharing great job .

[@ANationalAcrobat-qj2dl]

Excellent. These sorts of videos are usually done by men who just happen to have a fully equipped & very expensive workshop so to see this where we can all relate to it is very refreshing. Well done. Subscribed.

[@GeorgeAusters]

Welcome aboard!

[@shakeeljoomun1720]

That was me 2 years ago when I replaced my f10 timing chain on my driveway. Keep up the good work George

[@paulspeedy4704]

You are a Hero George !! (can't wait to see what you can do with a 2 post lift !😎)

[@GeorgeAusters]

We’ll be taking things to the next level, that’s for sure👌🏻

[@bevis71]

It will be 2 post for the car and a shoulder for a gearbox / engine! :D

[@mr.t2585]

Great job. It is easier on the ground when you lift the car as high as you can. Maybe twice you lifted.

[@richlee5578]

Just a small tip for anybody make sure the box is in gear it stops the shaft from spinning and you can turn it from where the prop shaft connects

[@GeorgeAusters]

Good idea!

[@Roadkill7878]

Great job. I was wincing a bit when you were under that gearbox 😳

[@GeorgeAusters]

You and me both!

[@ericschlener7748]

In my younger life I worked for multiple transmission shops pulling and rebuilding automatic transmissions. Did my fair share of clutch jobs as well. One thing that is important, before removing the transmission mounts put a jack under the transmission so you don't destroy the engine mounts as they are pretty much supporting the weightafter the trans mount is removed.

[@user-we8zx3wy9n]

Another brilliant vid George.. Let's hope youtube awards you handsomely for your pain :)

[@GeorgeAusters]

I hope so🙌🏻

[@NinpoUK]

Been watching this for 10 minutes George and could not have been more relieved to see that trolley jack. I was fearing for your safety mate! Incredible job as usual. No way that's 50k miles on the inside of that gearbox either.

[@tonnaboy1]

I remember my daughter coming to me in hospital (broken leg plaster toes to groin) Daa_aad!!! What now? My engine has blown up. It took me a week to change the engine in a space about like yours, in the winter with minimal tools etc. My version of what you will tell your children in the future, congrats George.

[@GeorgeAusters]

Love it!

[@BryceBrown1]

Wow! Your new garage, and lift will seem a million times sweeter when you look back on this mission. Well done! 👊👊👊

[@GeorgeAusters]

Honestly, I can’t wait🙌🏻

[@lukas0846]

Well done mate! This was the video I've been waiting for. A small tip though, get yourself a Sealey or Draper TJ150E, it will make your life easier and saver.

[@rogerkretzschmar8280]

Great job, love these on the driveway type videos. Way more interesting then the ' how to do this at home' but need a workshop full of the latest gear to do it. Subscribed 👍

[@saabsingh7032]

Good job lad! I feel the pain you've been through as I've done it myself years ago. Well done for an amazing video ❤

[@user-sf7kl9uh7k]

Nice guy, seems authentic

[@markb1487]

Great video, great content.. As a ex mechanic and now beef farmer,,this brings back some good memories. 💯💯💯

[@georgesafc6589]

Absolutely love these videos George 😊

[@ssimmmas]

You the man George, I do repair and service my car and motorcycle myself, that was a hell of the job. Big Respect👏

[@Inspherespace]

After struggling for hours I figured out the best way of doing this on jackstands without help without a proper set up. i would recommend this process, Step 1 : Understand where the centre weight balance point of the gearbox is Step 2: Position gearbox under car about 5-10cm away from clutch interface on ground Step 2 : Use a jack and most importantly get a bit of yoga matt/rubber to put in the jack cup (otherwise the gearbox will slip all over the place on the cup and make life hell) Position jack perpendicular to the car step 3: Get underneath the car (so you are perpendicular legs going the same way as the jack handle) get behind the gbox (driveshaft end) and lift it up into the cavity and put the jack (cup) underneath the GB centre balance point - balance the GB on jack cup Step 4: Use your leg to pump the jack handle up while using hands to steady & guide GB into location - slowly once you get close and guide the GB into position Step 5: With the jack taking the weight put a couple of the bolts in Step 6: drop and remove jack, do up all bolts The key is to use the centre balance point of the GB on jack and use something so it doesn't slip on the jack cup - do this and guarantee the pain will be minimal Also makes it easier to get to the top back bolts if you use an engine support bar to lift the engine and makes the gearbox go down Hope this helps someone - makes it MUCH easier

[@GentilsGarage]

Well done George, a painful job but worth it in the end. Hats off to you. Last time I was under a car like that was when I replaced all the gear linkage bushings of my E46, but only had to hold half the weight of the gearbox.

[@knowlesb8]

That was a top video, Ive done this job on my back on the rd side never ever again and that was without trying to make a video for others to watch, yep take my hat off to you on this one 👌

[@blairguinea6811]

Great vid George , great tutorial..............very impressed even no swearing !...................i have done a transverse V6 AUTO box a few years ago, although heavy it was a lot more manoeuvrable than that beemer manual box and believe me there was alot of swearing haha

[@nickmackenzie703]

Well done George that’s not a easy job on your drive. 👍👏👏

[@GeorgeAusters]

Definitely👍🏻

[@ianjenkins4641]

You lunatic putting that gearbox in on your own on your back. Hats off to you that looked a proper pain. It’s hard enough on a lift

[@GeorgeAusters]

Haha literally

[@bobfrankish8883]

Well done George! I would not have fancied that job at all. In my long motoring life I have changed a couple of slipping clutches that you can't just see easily what the problem was. I have always assumed it was pressure plate trouble. I have had a few instances where people have just changed the friction disc and said that it has had a new clutch fitted, maybe the case on KFC. Anyhow, job's a good 'un now, so onwards and upwards, as you say, next clutch change may be on your own ramp.

[@GeorgeAusters]

Let’s hope so 👌🏻

[@Doobie464]

Really enjoyed the video George! Watched the whole thing and could really feel your pain when getting it all back there. It was nice to have the summary at the end and if you’d recommend the job to a drive way mechanic as I’d imagine that’s what most of us that watch your videos are. Well done getting the camera angles as there obviously isn’t much space for you let alone a camera but if I ever had to do this job in the future it would be very useful! Best of luck with your projects 👍🏼

[@GeorgeAusters]

Thanks 👍

[@lilhunk69]

Don't envy you that job, I was a mechanic for 20 years when I first started we never had a ramp. Bloody clutch changes were always a chore lol hats off to you for getting it done and yes they are bloody heavy 😅

[@williamglaister3560]

Well done ma man keep them coming.

[@Landshark928]

Taking the gearbox out is pure midwife effort! Kudos for you🎉

[@charliecoco2115]

Well done George, that was a cLInt of a job to do on your own and with no lift!

[@macko2903]

That was fun to watch thanks. I'm glad it worked out fine.

[@jonjacobs1956]

Well done George. I have done the same, similar to how you have completed this job, Swore to myself never again or get an Auto! Hope you had your steelies on for this and not the sliders! Although I feel Crocs are a more appropriate footwear which I am guilty of.

[@MarkWedmore]

Thank you for the great content again George. Always handy to know torque settings. Very informative as always. I applaud you for struggling making the content, explaining as you are working in tight spaces. Hopefully the dream garage project will make your life creating content a whole lot easier.

[@GeorgeAusters]

Oh I’m sure it will!

[@srtjko]

Awesome job you did. I wish I can service my car myself like this one day.

[@1pjodan]

Great work, love the wrangler star safety sandels, I wish my e90 was closer it would give you plenty of content

[@michaelgilbert3311]

Bloody hell George what a result. Great video as always. Take a break you deserve it.

[@teresadrake3659]

Great job George I feel your pain

[@SHrimpeH]

Brilliant job man, clutched on the floor are always pain. Loving the content

[@richh1452]

Good job! Done a few clutches on the deck but since building my own workshop with a 2 post lift it's much easier on the body!

[@-sargntclashroyaleandmore-491]

You're a brave man to do that job on the floor... I could never think of doing this job myself 😂

[@geoffreybubbles8396]

Well done just another supporter congratulating you for your effort like you say it can be done but transmission jack and car lift make the whole process doable!

[@nmeister67]

Great job George 👏 Looking forward to a time when the dream build is complete and these jobs aren't quite as much of a pain 🙂

[@user-ep2sx6rp4y]

Wow George very impressive imagine how easier it will be when you get a ramp, great determination mate.

[@tezz2412]

I know exactly what you went through as I and my friend done my 330d e46 auto box and yes what a killer.

[@markbmark]

Well done

[@tlabort]

The new push bearing always feels as loose as the old one coming out And as for the nylon pin most clutch garages don't change them its a must when changing the clutch there is an upgrade on ebay and its made of metal Most of my cars are BMW and i repair them my self ie trimming chain clutches dpf etc And you did a really good job on the clutch

[@philg2281]

It's not easy to take the gearbox out of a bmw on the drive iv done a few over the year's. Dreadful job but got to say you got it done in front of camera without any swearing (or some clever editing) top fella keep the videos coming really enjoy watching you & appreciate the effort.👍

[@Delboy-jb2ss]

Similar set up to get box out of an e46. Done it numerous times on the ground. After the first I bought a floor transmission jack, makes the job a lot easier.

[@neilpike4358]

Well done Mate! That’s one job I wouldn’t even attempt on a drive! 👍

[@chrisgermann6658]

The sheer desperation on gearbox re fitment watching that car jack slowly make it's way up had me 🤣. Hats off that's about as hardcore a driveway job can get.

[@GeorgeAusters]

Honestly had to question my life choices at that point!

[@christophecailloux9149]

Great job

[@SpufiMan1]

I did the same job on my MK3 cortina in 1982 when I was 26. Same experience as you, maybe not quite as bad, but still resolved to not do another one. Driven torque converter autos since 1994, no problems with any of them😅

[@karter5351]

Cracking video George. Reminded me of doing a Vauxhall Viva, everything is hucking feavy when your flat on your back.

[@epicman4134]

Great video! Awesome.

[@ToeNailBreaker]

I nominate you as brave heart.

[@sdavis3759]

Great video, well done

[@GeorgeAusters]

Thank you very much!

[@johngalv9288]

George, you are living on the edge! The Golden DIY Award definitely goes to you! (there isn't one yet but I think youtube should have one). Good Luck! Things we do for our BMW... good videos but be careful.

[@GeorgeAusters]

Haha appreciate that John!

[@jawaadumar4207]

That was marathon. One heck of a job well done George! Haven’t had a chance to watch your videos lately but this was next level mate. Greetings from Chilli New Zealand.

[@GeorgeAusters]

Welcome back!

[@jawaadumar4207]

Cheers mate. Got a feeling this KFC is becoming your blue eye child 😂. Don’t forget you own a 130i, or do you still? Sorry just being a bit biased here but have you thought of taking few more ponies out of that N52? Haven’t seen much of that car lately on your channel. Will do good to few more petrol heads. Strongly suggest doing headers for extra 20 HP and much improved drivability. A mate of mine done it along with exhaust upgrade from donor 135i (n54) and can’t stop smiling. I am saving up for it as not a cheap stuff. Anyway just a suggestion from end of the world…

[@jackdanielsamarreto]

Excellent video well done reminds me of my ford escort mk 1 👍👍

[@ademineshat]

Great video. Respect 💪

[@GeorgeAusters]

Appreciate it!

[@paulstevens2178]

Top class how to video buddy.

[@GeorgeAusters]

Thanks 👍

[@TheOnlyRaceEngineer]

the moment you unbolted the last bolt, made me think, how the hell he's gonna put it back together with the floor just a few millimeters from his face . but damn, hats off to you... i can understand your pain, especially the neck pain

[@dzk6714]

respect, that is fkin hard doing alone

[@afitzsimons]

On my Dolomite Sprint the tunnel cover could be removed so someone could help lift the overdrive gearbox from above and inside the car leaving me free to slide it in.

[@peterise192]

I had to do the timing chain on my drive on a 325d, i can relate 😅

[@kar4tube]

Overall, well done video on the DIY clutch replacement here. I enjoyed seeing the process in detail. I couldn't help but wish I could've stopped you from struggling with removing/installing the tranni by hand though. A cheap Amazon motorcycle scissor-lift jack would've made your life so much easier. Personally I would never try supporting a tranni by hand and rely on the bell-housing bolts to hold it in place.

[@GeorgeAusters]

I was considering buying a floor transmission jack but honestly it won’t get used once I have my 2 post lift, I’ll just get a regular one then

[@Hancock_nl]

Well done, George. It sure helped a lot having those long legs and arms 😄 Kudos for performing stunts like this on your back 👍

[@berwhaletheavenger]

Jesus, I could hardly bear to watch the gearbox removal. I dropped a BMW E46 box on my hand 2-3 years ago doing a clutch job on the ground and needed five stitches - after another 3 hours to finish the job. Kitchen roll 'bandage' with masking tape under work gloves, dripping blood. 😂That was a little 5 speed as well. You can get rounded out cover bolts out by hammering a spline drive socket in. Bollocks to doing that again. I paid someone else with a ramp to do my own 318d clutch and DMF last year. 2.5 hours with a tea break and the exhaust still on. BTW - the yellow stuff on the flywheel bolts isn't thread lock but thread sealer. The holes in the crank are not 'blind' and oil will try to seep through and get onto the clutch and that's what happened here hence the slipping. You can see the oil. You can reuse the original bolts but you must use threadlock or sealer.

[@mark120964]

George, you have the patience of a saint,😊

[@SoraaConstruction-zl9ww]

Great video, shows you how good Kevin Albert Williams is when he is doing driveway clutch replacements every day

[@GeorgeAusters]

Yeah seen quite a few of his videos.. Not sure I agree with not torquing the clutch or flywheel though but yes he definitely gets through them!

[@liam5786]

This guy does attention to detail torques everything down doesn’t mess about George needs a crowd fund wish well for the future and hope you go on and upwards

[@GeorgeAusters]

Appreciate that Liam👌🏻

[@ianmowbray3284]

Well done great job

[@richardnorris3095]

Hell of a vid George well done 👍🏻 , must of been so hard on your back with no room 😮

[@GeorgeAusters]

Very!

[@mumbtie]

Bloody job well done mate, 40 minute video and I can feel a quarter of you pain, the arm burn must have made you want to give up 😂 but seriously that was impressive!!!

[@andrewthompsonuk1]

All the recent clutches I have changed have had weak pressure plates and have been slipping. Years ago the plates were usually worn to the rivots. Dont think I have ever seen a good release bearing. Bell housing bolts on BMWs are usually ridiculously tight requiring a breaker bar to undo.

[@NinpoUK]

Just got to the test part and did a fist pump for you George. You should feel happy that is a superb job and testament to what a home mechanic can do.

[@GeorgeAusters]

🙌🏻

[@ronpersaud529]

At least you are a bit protected from above.. this car will be one that will be in demand if you decide to raffle it in the future. The good thing about your videos is you demonstrate that a lot can be done without all the fancy equipment even though it is hard work it is possible. I still would like to see you get your garage soon.

[@GeorgeAusters]

That’s true! Appreciate it Ron👍🏻

[@christianwright5479]

Fair play mate, great video ❤

[@GeorgeAusters]

Much appreciated👍🏻

[@sussertheoriginal]

George, a handy tip. Put 2 cut off long as possible bolts into the block so that the bell housing can slide along them into position. That way, you never subject the clutch centre or trans input shaft with radial loads. Also gives you much more control. Slot the ends so they're easy to unscrew.

[@GeorgeAusters]

Not sure if you watched the whole video but I did do that with 1 threaded bar but it actually made it more awkward in the end as I couldn’t get it high enough to just slide it along from so far back

[@bobnixon1964]

Well done that man ........ 😉

[@robc5955]

Have to say good job well done, I couldn’t/wouldn’t tackle that now I’m in my 50’s - your a big well built fella I’d suggest anyone thinks very long and hard before tackling this especially on your own even if just from a H&S point of view have someone else around.

[@ronpersaud529]

Wouldn’t a small trolley jack been useful ?

[@damiangrabowski2104]

Nice one 👍

[@tomcoleman7288]

Fair play to you, the heaviest one i done on the driveway was a 2012 audi a3 dsg gearbox. Love it when you said took a minute contemplating life 🤣. Been there many times being a mobile mechanic 🤣

[@GeorgeAusters]

Hahaha literally 😅

[@ronpersaud529]

I doubt. That anything has recently been done on that clutch, far too dirty. The pressure plate and the clutch plate has never been changed.

[@GeorgeAusters]

Yes I agree👍🏻

[@bevis71]

Well done m8. Got flashbacks from replacing diff on my ex Lex IS200.... Had a jack, had an extra bit of chain just to hold it in place - still, it slipped landing on my head xD Now I have a lovely invisible scar hiding under my eyebrow. Sure all jobs can be done by ourselves but as you said - not all of them are recommended as they're a pain in the bum (or head!). Peace! BTW. By the looks of of these bolts and probably not centered clutch (shaking much huh?) by the previous lads - I woudn't trust the timing chain was done right, for sure NOT with all new bits in kit :>

[@damienlinehan873]

Well done. Some hardship without lift and gearbox stand. Them 320 estates are the Business.

[@spacecadet3482]

I'm in a similar situation, same vehicle, going forward would you say spend more, less DIY? Or do you enjoy doing the work yourself regardless of saving money (have you saved?) Honestly I've learnt a lot from your video's and managed to get mine up to scratch on a budget, so cheers mate 👍

[@v6cosworth167]

Brave man however well done, i'll be doing that while the engines out 👍👍👍 you need to build some riser boxes, i think thats what theyre called.

[@GeorgeAusters]

Yeah much easier to do while the engine is out for sure!

[@christianwright5479]

Does it have a cdv ( clutch delay valve ) if so definitely remove it ❤

[@GeorgeAusters]

Yes and I’ll be removing it soon!