Case Study
BMW 1 Series Juddering Clutch
Our customer brought in their BMW 1 Series with a judder right at the end of releasing the clutch. When booking, our BMW specialists suspected a new clutch would be needed. The car had also received an MOT advisory for play in the offside front steering rack inner joint, which we were able to look at during the same visit.
Fault Codes
No fault codes stored – the fault was mechanical and confirmed by driving the car and inspecting the clutch and flywheel
Common Symptoms
- Juddering at the end of releasing the clutch
- Judder most noticeable when pulling away
- MOT advisory for play in the steering rack inner joint
BMW 1 Series Diagnostics
Our first step was to replicate the fault. The judder was so noticeable that our BMW specialist technician felt it simply driving the car into the workshop, so a full road test wasn't needed. He noted that the judder appeared right at the end of the clutch releasing, which supported the suspicion that a clutch replacement would be required. We removed the gearbox and clutch plates and found the dual mass flywheel had excess movement. It was this movement that was causing the clutch to judder as it engaged, meaning the BMW needed both a new clutch and a new flywheel.
Vehicles Affected
BMW 1 Series
- BMW 1 Series 2004
- BMW 1 Series 2005
- BMW 1 Series 2006
- BMW 1 Series 2007
- BMW 1 Series 2008
- BMW 1 Series 2009
- BMW 1 Series 2010
- BMW 1 Series 2011
- BMW 1 Series 2012
- BMW 1 Series 2013
- BMW 1 Series 2014
- BMW 1 Series 2015
- BMW 1 Series 2016
- BMW 1 Series 2017
- BMW 1 Series 2018
- BMW 1 Series 2019
BMW 3 Series
- BMW 3 Series 2005
- BMW 3 Series 2006
- BMW 3 Series 2007
- BMW 3 Series 2008
- BMW 3 Series 2009
- BMW 3 Series 2010
- BMW 3 Series 2011
- BMW 3 Series 2012
- BMW 3 Series 2013
- BMW 3 Series 2014
- BMW 3 Series 2015
- BMW 3 Series 2016
- BMW 3 Series 2017
- BMW 3 Series 2018
- BMW 3 Series 2019
BMW 5 Series
- BMW 5 Series 2003
- BMW 5 Series 2004
- BMW 5 Series 2005
- BMW 5 Series 2006
- BMW 5 Series 2007
- BMW 5 Series 2008
- BMW 5 Series 2009
- BMW 5 Series 2010
- BMW 5 Series 2011
- BMW 5 Series 2012
- BMW 5 Series 2013
- BMW 5 Series 2014
- BMW 5 Series 2015
- BMW 5 Series 2016
- BMW 5 Series 2017
BMW 1 Series Clutch & Flywheel Replacement
Our technician replaced both the dual mass flywheel and the clutch. Our customer also chose to have their MOT advisory sorted, so we replaced the offside front inner tie rod to remove the play in the steering rack inner joint, then carried out a four-wheel alignment to make sure the wheels were correctly set up. It's worth knowing that the BMW 1 Series, 3 Series and 5 Series can share the same drivetrain, so a similar judder on a 3 Series or 5 Series is likely to need the same repair, although we'd always recommend a diagnostic check to be sure.
Resolution
A road test confirmed that the new clutch and flywheel had completely cured the judder, and the steering joint play highlighted on the MOT had been resolved. With the wheels correctly aligned, the BMW 1 Series was returned to our customer driving smoothly again.
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New clutch and flywheel fitted. Always kept in the loop with progress. Although slightly more expensive, you know the work will be to the highest standard. Would highly recommend.
Adam
Customer Review