PTB Clutch + PTB Release Bearing

[sinbad]

has anyone successfully installed the PTB clutch with the PTB supplied release bearing without any issues?

I installed the clutch and the supplied PTB release bearing and I couldn't get the gears to engage, not without really forcing it, it was undrivable. The friction point was all the way at the firewall.

PTB advised its likely an issue with the master or slave, but being a 2023 model with only 4,000 miles on the car, I find that hard to believe.

my mechanic suggested to reinstall the clutch with the factory BMW release bearing and after that we were able to engage the gears and the car functions normally. The friction point is still not 100% ideal, still a little too close to the firewall, but good enough (1000 miles now driven).

otherwise the clutch is amazing, but I'm scratching my head as to why this occurred. I wanted to ask the community before i go ahead and buy and brand new master and slave. any help would be greatly appreciated.

(CDV has been removed)

Pic attached showing the height difference between the OEM bearing (Left) and the PTB supplied bearing (right)

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[lucky phil]

has anyone successfully installed the PTB clutch with the PTB supplied release bearing without any issues?

I installed the clutch and the supplied PTB release bearing and I couldn't get the gears to engage, not without really forcing it, it was undrivable. The friction point was all the way at the firewall.

PTB advised its likely an issue with the master or slave, but being a 2023 model with only 4,000 miles on the car, I find that hard to believe.

my mechanic suggested to reinstall the clutch with the factory BMW release bearing and after that we were able to engage the gears and the car functions normally. The friction point is still not 100% ideal, still a little too close to the firewall, but good enough (1000 miles now driven).

otherwise the clutch is amazing, but I'm scratching my head as to why this occurred. I wanted to ask the community before i go ahead and buy and brand new master and slave. any help would be greatly appreciated.

(CDV has been removed)

Pic attached showing the height difference between the OEM bearing (Left) and the PTB supplied bearing (right)

It will be an issue with regards to the dimensions front to rear or height as shown in the image of the clutch release bearing assembly. The PTB version was obviously too short so you had too much travel of the pedal/clutch arm used in simply taking up the slack created by the shorter/less thick PTB assembly. It doesn't need to be much shorter to create an issue. Did the PTB unit require any release bearing assy shimming per their install instructions
Phil

 

[sinbad]

It will be an issue with regards to the dimensions front to rear or height as shown in the image of the clutch release bearing assembly. The PTB version was obviously too short so you had too much travel of the pedal/clutch arm used in simply taking up the slack created by the shorter/less thick PTB assembly. It doesn't need to be much shorter to create an issue. Did the PTB unit require any release bearing assy shimming per their install instructions
Phil

no shims were supplied by PTB, and after about 50 emails back and forth with PTB there was no mention or suggestion to install a shim, the issue was blamed on the master/slave. I'm a bit disappointed with the support from PTB about this.
Do you know where I could find/purchase some shims?

 

[Evolution]

I would tell PTB that you just replaced the master and slave and that there was no change. Then see what they say.

 

[lucky phil]

no shims were supplied by PTB, and after about 50 emails back and forth with PTB there was no mention or suggestion to install a shim, the issue was blamed on the master/slave. I'm a bit disappointed with the support from PTB about this.
Do you know where I could find/purchase some shims?

I know where you can get shims custom made shims here in Aus but you need to know the dimensions. Not much use to you. There is another aftermarket clutch manufacturer that shims their bearing and it's been mentioned here. Try a search and maybe you could use their shims.
The clutch is bled correctly, yes? Some clutches are more sensitive to correct bleeding than others. The difference between a clean release and a draggy poor releasing clutch is a pretty small tolerance. Thats why OEM clutches release/take up a comfortable distance off the floor to allow for variations in dimensions and less than perfect bleeding.
Phil

 

[ntfrendlyGR]

I had the fx1000 with hydraulic bearingi in my 24. I thought it was terrible to drive on the street daily and took it out before even hitting 1k miles I switched to PTB with dual sinter disc. Drove like oem through break in and til about 2k miles. Now at 3k. 1st and reverse are difficult when stopped and shifting into every gear feels like you hit a little wall. Although doesn’t feel normal, I’ll wait till winter to tear apart and inspect as I don’t drive the car too often.

 

[sinbad]

I had the fx1000 with hydraulic bearingi in my 24. I thought it was terrible to drive on the street daily and took it out before even hitting 1k miles I switched to PTB with dual sinter disc. Drove like oem through break in and til about 2k miles. Now at 3k. 1st and reverse are difficult when stopped and shifting into every gear feels like you hit a little wall. Although doesn’t feel normal, I’ll wait till winter to tear apart and inspect as I don’t drive the car too often.

-which bearing are you using? OEM?
-you should definitely remove the CDV if you haven't already.
-I went the sinter+organic disc with the performance pressure plate. I will be interested to see if it changes at 2-3k miles like you said.
-i get the same shudder in reverse already at 1k miles

 

[Hasan]

Did you guys OPT for the performance pressure plate?

 

[ntfrendlyGR]

-Yes to performance pressure plate
-I did the CDV delete
-using the bearing that came with a kit currently
-and tried new cylinder w/out CDV mod even though car has like 5k miles on it
-i’m currently waiting to hear back from PTB on recommendations even with this minor issue, I still highly recommend it over the FX 1000

 

[6MTsupra]

the ptb bearing mine came with had two positions you had to rotate to the proper position, and the way they sent it with the yellow mark was not set for the supra it was the other mark. my clutch shifts like butter from ptb. wish they were in the states for ease of messaging etc. hope they sort it out.

 

[sinbad]

the ptb bearing mine came with had two positions you had to rotate to the proper position, and the way they sent it with the yellow mark was not set for the supra it was the other mark. my clutch shifts like butter from ptb. wish they were in the states for ease of messaging etc. hope they sort it out.

thanks for this, i am asking PTB about this as i cant see any high/low setting on the bearing supplied to me by PTB.

 

[Hasan]

A lot of people have had issues with their performance pressure plate as well

 

[lucky phil]

Aren't aftermarket clutchs just great.
Phil

 

[ntfrendlyGR]

A lot of people have had issues with their performance pressure plate as well

Kind of vague can you give some examples? What are the issues or the cause of issues? Most of what I seen was very positive about their brand minus the customer service.

 

[Hasan]

Kind of vague can you give some examples? What are the issues or the cause of issues? Most of what I seen was very positive about their brand minus the customer service.

You can scroll through here, long thread but you should find a lot of good information.

https://g80.bimmerpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1988224&highlight=Clutch

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