E39 M5 - How do i know when the Clutch is gone ?

[maddernj]

I am thinking that the clutch is on its way out at the moment but have no idea when the critical point is reached ? The biting point is now right at the top of the pedal. I am still able to pull away smoothly with out any slip, What's the next stage ? Should i expect it to slip or will i just not be able to change gear at all ?

Thanks

[Neil.D]

The clutch is self adjusting so the biting point should remain the same. Do you know how old the clutch is?

[maddernj]

As far as i know its the original one....I have just gone through 57k. Thats why i was thinking that it was going to need to be done, to be honest it had not crossed my mind until the weekend when a friend drove the car and mentioned how high the clutch was, I had never really taken any notice of it.

[mondeoman]

If its gone you'll notice it when you change into 4th under load and it slips when you try to accelerate.

At 57k it should still be ok, but does depend on how the car was treated previously

When I got mine at 57k, I got the clutch changed under warrnty cos it was slipping - the replacement has lasted 100k miles.....

[maddernj]

Well according to the 996 Cabrio Driver I left behind the clutch is fine...

[E30M3SE]

maddernj said:

Well according to the 996 Cabrio Driver I left behind the clutch is fine...

They're just big 'girls' though.

How is your clutch fluid, when was it last changed?

[maddernj]

That i don't know....Can you top that up or do you need to replace ?

[E30M3SE]

maddernj said:

That i don't know....Can you top that up or do you need to replace ?

Should be replaced at the same timne your brake fluid is replaced.

[maddernj]

Hmm Brake Fluid was only replaced in Oct last year.....Is it a big Job (Clutch that is) ?

[E30M3SE]

maddernj said:

Hmm Brake Fluid was only replaced in Oct last year.....Is it a big Job (Clutch that is) ?

No. Much the same as bleeding out a brake caliper.