I've had UUC Derlin clutch arm bushings sitting around for about a month and a half and finally decided to put them in since I'm doing nothing. I consider myself an intermediate DIYer. I have done all sorts of suspension things, every kind of fluid change/bleed, and have even helped a friend change his head on his Honda. I figured my skills were more than enough for a measley set of clutch arm bushings.

Well, the install is turning out to be a nightmare! Nothing like the "simple replacement" of the stock bushings talked about on UUC's site.

I'm stuck on freakin' STEP 2.1 of the 9 step instructions!

I cannot get the clutch return spring retaining clip out for the life of me. It seems like a simple enough retaining clip, and it appears you merely flip the top "finger" back and then slide the retaining clip on the pin until it comes off. Or am I really missing something?

I have hit this thing with everything I can think of. Vice grips, channel locks, EVERYTHING - it will not budge a millimeter. The manual merely states that a small flathead screwdriver is needed to remove it(not that it really states specifically HOW to remove it, just that it needs to come out).

Can't find anything relating to the clutch arm in the Bentley. Only one small, crude diagram showing how the arm actuates on the clutch cylinder to release the clutch. Which one glance at the assembly tells me more than the diagram does.


If the rest of the install is this difficult I might just say screw it and sell these puppies at a loss, or just let them collect dust. The slop in my clutch arm isn't THAT bad, but I figured I'd like to get rid of it for $20 and a 'simple replacement' of the factory ones. It is looking like UUC came up with a great product idea, but the downside is a really difficult install - so they don't really mention anything about what is actually required to put these babies in.

Anybody??? :95

Are you pushing the pedal outward (toward the seat) to relieve the pressure before trying to remove the clip?

Bob ///M3

Yep, it states that in the instructions(and I was also doing it the first few times before I actually read the directions, hey, I'm male - it's only natural :biglaughb ).

Oh well, I'm going to go wrestle with this thing for a little while longer. Hopefully I don't get the sucker half way disassembled and then get stuck with no clutch pedal. :devillook

All the clips came off fairly easily when I did the job. No real trick to them - just take a really good look at them to figure out the locking part. Didn't need vise-grips, channellocks, or anything more than a small screwdriver. Just push the clip a little further in place, so it takes the tension off the little locking tab. Then, gently pry the tab out of the way, and pull off the clip. No big deal...

Jim

During my first attempt I didn't have the best lighting in the floorboard, so I couldn't really inspect it that well. I think I was going about it the wrong way.

I got some more light and saw that you have to slight move the clip on the pin towards the side with the 'tension finger', then pry the sides of the clip over the head of the pin? Correct? I know it is hard to visualize, but I tried EVERYTHING I could think of last night and I could not get the clip to budge.

Can you be a little more detailed on how to remove the Clevis Pin Clip?

Is this the clamp (and securing pin) you're having a hard time removing?

http://www.unofficialbmw.com/images/clutchbushe.jpg

Bob ///M3

My Stygar clutch pedal came with a new clip, so I just ripped mine off. Maybe it'd be easier to go pick up a new one and do it that way? Just a suggestion.

Also, one thing I didn't know when I was installing my bushings is that it's easier to pretension the spring (using some of those plastic ties from garbage bags) before you reinstall it. I spent the greatest amount of time in the whole install trying to get that darn spring back on properly...

http://www.unofficialbmw.com/images/clutchbush3a.jpg

Follow the directions shown in black text: "Push up here until the clip clears top of pin. Then slide off in the direction shown." See the yellow arrow where the flange is? You must pry this flange outward a little before pushing the clip upward.

You must pry the clip's flange outward first (as shown in the picture) so when you push the clip up it will clear the top of the pin...then you can slide it off in the opposite direction.

Bob ///M3

I would suggest using Ty-Raps (wire bundle ties) to pre-compress the springs. The little plastic ties used for garbage bags may not be able to hold the pressure without slipping or breaking.

Bob ///M3


Originally posted by C///M
Also, one thing I didn't know when I was installing my bushings is that it's easier to pretension the spring (using some of those plastic ties from garbage bags) before you reinstall it. I spent the greatest amount of time in the whole install trying to get that darn spring back on properly...

Originally posted by Bob ///M3
http://www.unofficialbmw.com/images/clutchbush3a.jpg

Follow the directions shown in black text: "Push up here until the clip clears top of pin. Then slide off in the direction shown." See the yellow arrow where the flange is? You must pry this flange outward a little before pushing the clip upward.
Great picture, Bob! Anyway, to be a little clearer. That yellow arrow points to the locking part of the clip. A lot of times that gets stuck a little on the pin. So, what you have to do is:

(all directions are based on the photo)

1. Push the whole clip a little upwards (1/32" or so - not much), to get the tension off the locking part.

2. Use a small screwdriver and pry the locking part left, until it clears the end of the pin.

3. Slide the whole clip down, off the pin.

No fuss, no muss...

Jim

I'm so embarassed that I'm an engineer, worked in a machine shop, and still can't get this damn clip off. :embarrasm


That picture is great, but that was exactly what I was doing the second time. The clip would absolutely NOT budge. It appears to have a sealant on it(kind of like a "torque wax" on bolts to make sure they haven't broken), but I doubt it has any strength - and it looks like I've broken all of it.

Maybe it was just really late and I was cursing a bit too much, but I even got a little angry and pulled out a 12" flathead and couldn't get the little sucker to pry open.


I guess I'll try again today, I just refuse to let something this stupid beat me! :redspot

Originally posted by Bob ///M3
I would suggest using Ty-Raps (wire bundle ties) to pre-compress the springs. The little plastic ties used for garbage bags may not be able to hold the pressure without slipping or breaking.

Bob ///M3

Ah, good point. I never did get to try the tip out, since it was given to me after I cursed the spring into submission. Or maybe my memory's failing me.

Either way, thanks for the correction :)

I could be that the very top part of the clip (upside-down U shape) has been bent downward, which would prevent the moveable part of the clip from clearing it [top part] therefore not allowing the clip to be moved. If you feel solid resistance when trying to open the moveable portion of the clip it may be actually hitting the top part...and may require that you bend it [top part of clip] up a little bit.

You can see how the clip is made [from the picture] so now you "should" be able to figure out why it cannot be removed.

Good luck!

Bob ///M3

http://www.unofficialbmw.com/images/clutchbush3a.jpg


Originally posted by Def
I'm so embarassed that I'm an engineer, worked in a machine shop, and still can't get this damn clip off. :embarrasm


That picture is great, but that was exactly what I was doing the second time. The clip would absolutely NOT budge. It appears to have a sealant on it(kind of like a "torque wax" on bolts to make sure they haven't broken), but I doubt it has any strength - and it looks like I've broken all of it.

Maybe it was just really late and I was cursing a bit too much, but I even got a little angry and pulled out a 12" flathead and couldn't get the little sucker to pry open.


I guess I'll try again today, I just refuse to let something this stupid beat me! :redspot

Top part is already bent well out of the way.

I'm not completely retarded when it comes to mechanical things, this thread only makes it seem that way. :biglaughb

Push up on the clip from the bottom most part of the clip until the pin clears the tab hole, then pry the clip's side piece outward and pull down on the clip sliding it off the pin.

If that doesn't work, then use a nuclear bomb! :atom
http://www.zvis.com/images/nuks/easy1.jpg

Bob ///M3

Well, I finally got that damn clip off. Turns out that the part you slide it towards was bent inwards just a hair, preventing the clip from being lifted up to clear the head of the pin. Couldn't really tell when it was on there, but after I mangled it pretty good getting it off I of course started kicking myself in the ass. :dunno


I also know that my clutch position sensor bracket is NEVER coming off. It's on my car till the end of the world. With a closed head wrench I managed to completely round the whole nut off. It was a little zinc nut(not stainless steel), and somewhere upwards of 90+ lb-ft of torque the lil' puppy just couldn't take anymore. Oh well, it was a completely unnecessary part of the install, I didn't even take the sensor off and completed it no problems.


The rest of the clevis pin clips came off in about 10-30 seconds, even the one you have to do by feeling - and be in the most awkward position EVER. I think my right shoulder is still sore from contorting my body for so long.

The good news, thanks to some heavy duty wheel bearing grease, the squeak is completely gone. The pedal feels a little firmer too, but it really wasn't that bad to begin with.

Oh well - I probably wouldn't have bothered with it if I knew it was going to be such a minor difference and a pretty difficult install(just due to the working space). But I wasn't going to let those little bushings beat me! Oh no sir!


Time to do all my brakes! I might snap some pics and do a brakepad/rotor install HOW-TO. Don't know how helpful that would be around here, but I was helped out by a few of those on my old Integra.

:mechstuck

Hey Def...I'm glad you finally got that clip off. I've been thinking about you wondering if you did. It sounds like the top part of the clip was indeed bent downward a little, which kept the clip from sliding up and off the pin as I mentioned it might be. I've seen people bend that part of the clip down so there is no chance the clip will come off. That may be what happened - on purpose...

Glad you got it fixed!

Bob ///M3

Congrats! Gotta respect determination and persistence!

BTW, for all those reading this, this job does not always turn out quite this difficult. My clips opened right up, the sensor bolt came right out, and the job was done in less than 45 minutes. The most time consuming part was re-installing the lower panels. And rubbing Ben-Gay on the lower back and knees.

Yes, I think I had an abnormally hard time doing the install. Seemed like almost nothing went smoothly. Always a hitch and then I had to find a work around. Me being 6' 3" and working in that small space didn't help either.

I'd say I could do it over again in less than 30 minutes, but that's just because I've had some practice. ;)

I still say it's harder than UUC's site portrays it as though.




BTW - I have noticed that BMW engineers make routine maintence extremely easy on these cars, but if you ever stray 'off the beaten path' then you are guaranteed to run into some pretty tough bolts/brackets/clips to deal with.


MMMMmmmm.. maintence - can't wait until my ricey caliper paint dries some more so I can finish my new rotors/Axxis Ultimate pads! :boobies

ok im gona bring up an old thread. i've gotton the clip off no problem... but what about that pin?! i can't slide the pin off!! it won't budge.

here:

http://www.alltel.net/~chitiho/wtf.jpg

it says to slide the bolt off, but it wont budge

Mine was a bit stubborn too.


Get a set of vicegrips on it and then use them like a lever to torque it off.

A screwdriver would do as well, but I was worried I'd slip and poke my eye out while wedged up under the dash the way my luck was going with that install.

I did all four rotors and pads on my car in about half the time it took me to do the clutch arm bushings(and they started squeaking recently!). I'm still embarrassed. :embarrasm

okay screw it the next time i bring my car to inspection 1 to my mechanic i'm gona make him do it