E30 318i M42/Getrag 240 clutch replacement.

this basic procedure covers most BMW E30/E36 and other models as well, but a few parts will be different.

Tools Required for this job:
1.) 10, 13, 17, 18, 16 mm shallow/deep sockets and associated metric wrenches
2.) 5, 6mm short hex drive sockets with a ⅜” drive.
3.) a full kit of inverse torx heads for the transmission bellhousing’s 3 inverse torx bolts (get good quality ones)
4.)needle nose pliers
5.) ⅜” u joint with about 3 feet worth of socket extensions
6.) standard screwdriver
7.) clutch allignment tool.

parts needed
1.) clutch disc

parts recomended
2.) pressure plate
3.) pressure plate bolts (x6)
4.) flywheel
5.) flywheel bolts (x8)
6.) engine output seal (if leaking oil from the rear of the crank)
7.) transmission input shaft seal.... do it even if it looks fine, so easy.
8.) transmission output shaft seal if leaking from the back
9.) pilot bearing
10.) throwout bearing
11.) release fork
12.) spring clip

starting the job:

open the bonnet.


remove air box:


remove intake braces to gain access to the electrical conduit that blocks the top starter nut. this has 1x11mm nut, 3x10mm and 1x13mm nut.


there you can see the top nut you’re trying to gain access to (16mm)


drench your exhaust nuts in PB blaster, get out your impact and 13mm socket.



unplug o2 sensors


drop the exhaust hanger and pull exhaust:




brace the Getrag to pull the rear trans support


remove all 6 guibo bolts.


remove the 14x 13mm bolts and 2x 10mm bolts that hold the heat shields over the drive shaft. after that, locate the two 13mms that hold the center carrier bearing and drop those.... you will need to support the center of the drive shaft after pulling these.


pull this metal brace too.


pull the rear trans brace and drop the transmission support so it hangs a bit.


(no pics for this part)
remove the small clips on the under side of the shifter and pull the shifter linkage off of the shifter from underneath the trans tunnel and remove the special slip that holds the aluminum carrier to the transmission.
here is a view of the special clip:



locate the bellhousing torx bolts and remove em

(here is the location of those bolts:


pull the two wires that do the reverse switch off of the transmission.

pull the transmission off of the engine.



if you elect to do your throwout bearing, install that now:


pull the clutch and pressure plate:


install new clutch, flywheel and pressure plate bolts. (torque to 18 lb/ft)


if you elect to do the front transmission seal, do that now.






put transmission back on.



re install reverse light switch
re-install guibo and bolts
re-install the CSB with a slight front pre-load
re-install heat shields
re-install trans support
re-install exhaust

go for a drive and see if you did it right...