When you detect unusual noises on your BMW X3 you usually tend to get worried. Specifically when you feel a noise coming from the release bearing of your BMW X3. It is directly assimilated to an engine issue and can therefore be serious. As we know that you do not take these concerns lightly, we have chosen to create this article to support you locate the causes and free yourself from this matter as quickly as possible. To do this, we will first concentrate on the role 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 X3 and their origins.
What is the function and operation of the release bearing on BMW X3?
Function of the release bearing on BMW X3
The release bearing of your BMW X3 has a essential role in the operation of your entire gearbox system. Indeed, its task 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 X3.
Action of release bearing BMW X3
Let’s now look at the technical side, the release bearing is composed of two units, a first fixed part that slides only when the stop is pulled, or pushed (determined by 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 kind of release bearing BMW X3 :
- Pulled release bearing
- Hydraulic release bearing
It is the most unconventional of the two kind of release bearing . This one, as opposed to the hydraulic version, 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 technical, is the version most used in modern automobiles. It is however more elaborate than the pulled release bearing. Indeed, it will be composed of a hydraulic tube that will receive the pressure immediately from the clutch pedal.
More conventional clutch stop
Release bearing noises BMW X3 and their origins
I feel a release bearing noise on BMW X3 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 possible that your release bearing is the cause. Make sure that this noise stops when you disengage, in which case it is time to change the release bearing of your BMW X3.
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 linked with jolts that you can feel in your clutch pedal, then the stop/fork release/blades grouping is degraded. 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 X3 when I try to shift gears and they do not shift
This matter shows up most often on models equipped with hydraulic release bearing. It is often related to a clutch pedal that has little or no resistance. If you are in this circumstance and you feel a grinding or cracking noise coming from the release bearing of your BMW X3, then you probably have a leak coming from your release bearing. It must therefore be replaced fairly quickly or risk damaging your gearbox in addition to the clutch. If you have a noise coming from the gearbox of your BMW X3 and it’s not from your release bearing, check this article to have more informations.
