135i Spec clutch / MFactory SMFW install

[B C]

Agreed

[i_love_cars]

suspenceful said:

Nice! Pilot bearing is a bitch, FYI. Required a lot of power tools and unconventional methods to get mine out. Took forever.

I've never encountered a vehicle that I couldn't get a pilot bearing out of in under 5 minutes using Wonder Bread, a 3/8" extension, and a hammer. As more and more bread gets compacted it acts as a hydraulic press and eventually pushes the pilot bearing out. 

So don't scare me, bruh

[patsbimmer1]

I have never heard of this bread method.  Just watched a youtube video about it.  Holy crap... I can't believe that works!

[i_love_cars]

Stopped at Harbor Freight this morning and they had a 3/8" drive set of E sockets that goes up to E18. Thinner profile on the socket so I'm hopeful this will fit. Only cost 10 bucks to boot. The 1/2" drive really pushes out the girth of the socket. Fingers crossed, otherwise I'll be supremely emo tonight and bitching on the forums

[andyhundley]

BEEMO!!

[i_love_cars]

updates !!! important update for N55 owners looking to buy MFactory SMFW.

[suspenceful]

i_love_cars said:

I've never encountered a vehicle that I couldn't get a pilot bearing out of in under 5 minutes using Wonder Bread, a 3/8" extension, and a hammer. As more and more bread gets compacted it acts as a hydraulic press and eventually pushes the pilot bearing out. 

So don't scare me, bruh

So... did you get it out yet?

i_love_cars said:

updates !!! important update for N55 owners looking to buy MFactory SMFW.

I hope you called and requested an N55 assembly. I know they are known for their N54 units.

[patsbimmer1]

Nice job man!

[B C]

Meanwhile in Jordan's garage:

[dastuz]

Nice write up. I expect a test run as soon as youve hit break in. I get my car back this weekend, so timing should be right for some modified bmw fun...

[i_love_cars]

suspenceful said:

So... did you get it out yet?

I hope you called and requested an N55 assembly. I know they are known for their N54 units.

yah everything is all good. I hammered out the piece on the new flywheel and hammered in a new pilot bearing. I did talk to MFactory, but I'm not holding out much hope because the guy on N54tech that i've been talking to (BostonShant) has the same setup on his 2011 135i, had to do the same thing, and he also called MFactory and let them know and nothing changed. 

I also am going to talk to TopGearSolutions because they advertise the Spec Stage 2+ clutch SB533H part number as being for 2007-2012 model years, and while the clutch technically works, as I noted above in my main post - the alignment tool doesn't work on N55 without modifying it. The socket approach that I did isn't perfect because the socket isn't a 100% fit in the alignment tool so you still have to eyeball a little bit and be really good about evenly tightening down the clutch disc. The only way to make the tool work perfectly is to have an input shaft tip to glue in to the alignment tool.

[suspenceful]

Glad to see it's back on the ground and you're going through the gears. Interesting to see my build thread to be of use! The chatter is 'meh', but I have the same mentality about it.

Hope to see this car in person sometime. Love the color.

[YoungCR]

Wish you could've parked in Scooters, but great chatting with you for a bit.

[i_love_cars]

Just come to cars and coffee in July and you can see my car, Chris

[i_love_cars]

suspenceful said:

Glad to see it's back on the ground and you're going through the gears. Interesting to see my build thread to be of use! The chatter is 'meh', but I have the same mentality about it.

Hope to see this car in person sometime. Love the color.

yes your thread was immensely helpful. Those few pictures really solidified my theory about both the flywheel and the Spec alignment tool. I have no doubt that we'll have a meet at some point where we can both attend