LuK clutch with Sachs release bearing

[OldRanger]

That’s exactly the strategy most of the veteran owners here recommend. Even though LuK often provides the clutch and flywheel to BMW, the community has found that the non-OE branded release bearings included in some LuK kits can feel 'loose' or of different quality compared to the Sachs unit. I’m one of those people; I’ve done three clutch jobs on two of these cars.

By sourcing the Sachs release bearing separately, you’re essentially ensuring you get the exact high-validation part BMW intended for the M3, rather than a generic kit-filler. As mentioned earlier in the thread, it's also worth cleaning and applying high-quality grease to that bearing race before install to keep it quiet long-term.

PS: if you have a high mileage car, replace the release fork and guide pin, and ensure the transmission input shaft seal is not leaking.

[ac427]

That’s exactly the strategy most of the veteran owners here recommend. Even though LuK often provides the clutch and flywheel to BMW, the community has found that the non-OE branded release bearings included in some LuK kits can feel 'loose' or of different quality compared to the Sachs unit. I’m one of those people; I’ve done three clutch jobs on two of these cars.

By sourcing the Sachs release bearing separately, you’re essentially ensuring you get the exact high-validation part BMW intended for the M3, rather than a generic kit-filler. As mentioned earlier in the thread, it's also worth cleaning and applying high-quality grease to that bearing race before install to keep it quiet long-term.

PS: if you have a high mileage car, replace the release fork and guide pin, and ensure the transmission input shaft seal is not leaking.

Thank you. I completely agree with what you have written but i just don't see how the cars from factory would end up with a Sachs release bearing if LuK are supplying the clutch.

We are effectively saying that BMW fitted a LuK clutch and Sachs release bearing from the factory. This does seem unlikely.

[bmwfnatic]

I ordered a Sachs clutch kit a while ago, it was 40 bucks more than the LUK and you just get the LUK stuff in a Sachs box. It had the same wobbly bearing. Some cars that I take apart do seem to have a more solid bearing from factory.

[ac427]

I ordered a Sachs clutch kit a while ago, it was 40 bucks more than the LUK and you just get the LUK stuff in a Sachs box. It had the same wobbly bearing. Some cars that I take apart do seem to have a more solid bearing from factory.

Were you able to tell what make or see any differences in the ones you removed apart from the wobble?

[George Hill]

In the last 7yrs I've installed probably 20+ LuK clutch kits. Originally I was installing them with BMW TOBs, after warrantying (2) BMW TOBs I now use the LuK exclusively with no known issues.

[ac427]

In the last 7yrs I've installed probably 20+ LuK clutch kits. Originally I was installing them with BMW TOBs, after warrantying (2) BMW TOBs I know use the LuK exclusively with no known issues.

Thanks George, Does this mean you had two BMW throw out bearings fail?

[George Hill]

ac427 correct

[ac427]

So, the $64,000 question is which grease type of pack the new bearing with?

[ac427]

Does the clutch guide tube form the pivot point for the clutch lever?

https://www.realoem.com/bmw/en/showparts?id=BR92-EUR---E46-BMW-M3&diagId=23_0219#23117512866

[bigjae46]

So, the $64,000 question is which grease type of pack the new bearing with?

I use wheel bearing grease

[terra]

Thank you. I completely agree with what you have written but i just don't see how the cars from factory would end up with a Sachs release bearing if LuK are supplying the clutch.

We are effectively saying that BMW fitted a LuK clutch and Sachs release bearing from the factory. This does seem unlikely.

The reality is a lot of these manufacturers are reboxing each others parts. You'll often get a LuK clutch in a Sachs box and vice versa. If you look up the E46 M3 kits, you'll see both the Sachs branded kit and the BMW branded kit contain a LuK clutch

As far as the throwout bearing -- BMW supplies both versions. The Sachs version is what BMW provided for the E46 M3 from the factory and most cars from that vintage. There appears to be a high torque and low torque variant of the 'LuK TOB' which I think is actually made by INA. Not sure which one corresponds to what comes with the LuK kits

Sachs 21511223582 (E46 M3, Z4M, 325d, 325 SULEV, E39 M5, E6x 545/645 SMG)


Luk - 21517521360 (M54b30 and similar / weaker)


LuK 21517526105 (E46 330d, E6x 545/645 and 550/650 manual versions)

[ac427]

Thank you terra
Here are some pics of the LuK bearing that didn't get fitted because i bought a Sachs bearing. Upon closer inspection it has INA/SK F-240434 etched on it with a date 1st March 2016. Interestingly the LuK clutch kit was purchased only 18 ,months ago max.

[terra]

Tbh INA / SKF are top tier bearing manufacturers in general. None of the BMW branded versions of the bearing seem to have that exact part number, but at least as far as aftermarket goes, the one sold for E60 M5 / E92 M3 throwout bearing (21517548396) seems to match.



I wouldn't have many qualms about trusting the bearing honestly

[George Hill]

This is a genuine BMW M3/420g TOB













This one is out of an LuK 420g clutch kit







This is a genuine BMW GS6-37 TOB







And these are L -> R

BMW GS6-36, LuK 420g, BMW 420g