When you detect unusual noises on your BMW 5 Series you have a tendency to be concerned. Especially when you feel a noise coming from the release bearing of your BMW 5 Series. It is directly assimilated to an engine problem and can therefore be serious. As we know that you do not take these concerns lightly, we have chosen to make this document to help you locate the triggers and free yourself from this matter as quickly as possible. To do this, we will first concentrate on the function and operation of the release bearing of your clutch, and in a second step we will look in detail at the different release bearing noises on BMW 5 Series and their sources.
What is the purpose and operation of the release bearing on BMW 5 Series?
Role of the release bearing on BMW 5 Series
The release bearing of your BMW 5 Series has a fundamental function in the operation of your entire gearbox system. Indeed, its mission is to liberate the gearbox from the rotation of the engine block via its action. This will allow you to shift gears. It is operated by the clutch pedal and then by the release fork, which, when it is activated, will press on the clutch and release the gearbox from engine rotation for you allow you to shift gears on your BMW 5 Series.
Function of release bearing BMW 5 Series
Let’s now look at the technical side, the release bearing is composed of two parts, a first fixed part that slides only when the stop is pulled, or pushed (based on its type) and finally a rotating part that is composed of a bearing that will allow it to stay in contact with the mechanism and follow its rotation.
There are two distinct variants of release bearing BMW 5 Series :
- Pulled release bearing
- Hydraulic release bearing
It is the most unconventional of the two variants of release bearing . This one, in contrast to the hydraulic form, is operated by a mechanical pulling system that will release the clutch disc. In this case, the release bearing must be mechanically fixed to the mechanism.
The hydraulic release bearing, although more complicated, is the form most used in contemporary cars. It is however more elaborate than the pulled release bearing. Indeed, it will be composed of a hydraulic tube that will receive the pressure right from the clutch pedal.
More conventional clutch stop
Release bearing noises BMW 5 Series and their sources
I feel a release bearing noise on BMW 5 Series each time I drive and it stops when I depress my clutch pedal
If you feel a noise from your gearbox, release bearing or clutch itself when your engine is running, but it ceases when you press your clutch pedal, this noise often sounds like a bell noise, it is highly plausible that your release bearing is the reason. Make sure that this noise stops when you disengage, in which situation it is time to swap the release bearing of your BMW 5 Series.
I feel a release bearing noise when my pedal is up and I feel jolts in my foot
If you feel too much or too little resistance when you press your clutch pedal, and it is associated with jolts that you can feel in your clutch pedal, then the stop/fork release/blades grouping is damaged. Indeed, this noise often comes from the broken fork that no longer allows the device to work normally.
I feel a grinding noise coming from the release bearing of my BMW 5 Series when I try to shift gears and they do not shift
This matter happens most often on models equipped with hydraulic release bearing. It is often connected to a clutch pedal that has little or no resistance. If you are in this situation and you feel a grinding or cracking noise coming from the release bearing of your BMW 5 Series, then you probably have a leak coming from your release bearing. It must therefore be swapped almost instantly or risk damaging your gearbox in addition to the clutch. If you have a noise coming from the gearbox of your BMW 5 Series and it’s not from your release bearing, check this article to have more informations.
