Cheap Clutch Stop

Figure807 · 02-20-2012, 03:58 PM

I was looking around online for a quick DIY clutch stop because I wasn't going to pay $15 for something that I could just as easily make. I got the idea from the e46 guys, so I can't really take credit for anything other than posting this.

Items needed:
1 ea 1/4" x 1 1/2" elevator bolt (got it at Lowe's). A 1" length will work also.

2 ea 1 1/2" Grippers (also at Lowe's, comes in a pack of eight). I suppose 1" will work also, but I already had these.

Prep work: you need to remove the panel in the driver's side footwell. 3 screws, #15 torx if I remember correctly.

I already pulled out the stock clutch stop in this pic, which is just a little rubber nub. See how the 1/4" is just the right size?

Screw it all the way in

Note: The images show that I only used one gripper, but I added another one later on.

FAQ:

How much will this cost?
3-4 bucks.

How much do I need to screw it in?
All the way!

Do I need any nuts or anything to secure it?
No! But if you feel you need to then knock yourself out!

Will I still be able to start my car without any other mods?
Yes! I had to step on the pedal a little harder than normal to compress the grippers a bit, but the additional travel was minimal.

Will I grind gears if I do this mod?
I used two grippers and screwed it in all the way and was able to freely shift gears with the clutch pedal depressed.

How do you know that you're not wear down your synchros?
When I re-engage the clutch, there is still a good inch or so of travel before I see the rpms drop, i.e. the clutch is engaging.

How does it feel?
The feel is not much different from stock, but I can shift more quickly and confidently now. Before this mod, if I wanted to do a quick shift I would only push the clutch in ~halfway, but I was never really sure if the clutch was completely disengaged, which annoyed me. Starting from a stop is much easier now as well since I don't have to modulate the clutch pedal as much. This mod combined with the CDV delete are the two cheapest mods you can do that have the greatest effect on your day-to-day driving. Btw, if you haven't done the CDV delete, you don't need to buy anything. Just take out the CDV, grab a small screwdriver and insert it into the bottle neck end and push until the restrictor pops out the other side. Reinstall and enjoy.

Will this work on my 20xx e9x?
My car is a 2009 e92 and it worked fine for me, YMMV.

conrad325i · 06-18-2012, 12:02 PM

Where is the CDV located? I've wanted to do it for sometime however I didn't know here to look I find it.

Figure807 · 06-19-2012, 11:33 PM

Under the car next to the transmission. You'll have to remove the underbody panel.

migey330i · 08-11-2012, 09:12 PM

Cool, going to do this today.

bas2000 · 08-28-2012, 09:57 PM

thanks dude for the diy

i tried the 1/4" x 1 1/2" elevator bolt it's just too lose. i'll go back go the store tomorrow and try a larger bolt or put a nut on the end.

DrSeuss99 · 08-28-2012, 11:16 PM

nice, but why not just buy one that's proven to work and is adjustable for only a few dollars more?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/230519560074...ht_2965wt_1194

Figure807 · 08-29-2012, 09:45 AM

I've been running it since I posted this - no issues. DIY for DIY-people. I'm not sure why you'd want it to be adjustable either - this pretty much eliminates all of the excess travel at the end of the pedal, why would you want more?

adding some nuts would make it completely adjustable for a few more cents though.

@bas2000 - the 1/4" x 1 1/2" elevator bolt fit pretty well for me (as you can see in the picture). Post it up if you find a bolt that fits better.

DrSeuss99 · 08-29-2012, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bas2000

thanks dude for the diy

i tried the 1/4" x 1 1/2" elevator bolt it's just too lose. i'll go back go the store tomorrow and try a larger bolt or put a nut on the end.

How about wrapping the bolt with some electrical tape?

bas2000 · 08-29-2012, 04:41 PM

thanks for the feedback! i ordered the ebay stop bc when i removed the oem stop, the rubber tore in the back. mine is an 07 e92 335i. I probably need a 3/8" or larger elevator bolt. will hit menards if i get a chance 2nite.

kagraham · 09-16-2012, 07:49 PM

Hmm, I have an 08 E90 and the 1/4-20 is too loose in my opinion. It doesn't really thread, can be pulled in/out of the bracket without threading. I'm going for the electrical tape suggestion, I've already made too many trips to lowe's today.

DrSeuss99 · 09-16-2012, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kagraham

Hmm, I have an 08 E90 and the 1/4-20 is too loose in my opinion. It doesn't really thread, can be pulled in/out of the bracket without threading. I'm going for the electrical tape suggestion, I've already made too many trips to lowe's today.

I got this one off ebay:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/E9X-BMW-CLUT...09578a&vxp=mtr

skolby · 09-24-2012, 01:35 PM

Looks nice! Too bad I didn't see this before I bought the clutch stop from BMS. Oh well.

kiwi29 · 12-11-2012, 12:48 PM

Hmmm Ijust bought the 1/4-20 x 1 and its wayyyy too loose(on 09 e90 328i) . It doesn't even thread in? O.o
Lowes doesn't seem to carry 1/4-20 x 1-1/4 anymore either. How to fix ?? I ripped off the old rubber nub too so going backwards isn't really an option..

EDIT: I threw on a nut on the back of it and it held, problem with installing the nut... it took me 3 hours lmao! The space was wayyy too small for my fingers and I had to bend a fork to hold the nut. Needless to say, it was a PITA. If anyone is thinking of doing this, skip the elevator bolt and just grab a pack of 1 in. Grippers and put 2 of them on where the old stop use to be. It worked like a charm to get to work and back home

tony3series · 08-02-2013, 07:04 AM

I used this info and I had the same problem. The bolt just slid out, it was too small. Luckily I had a nut that fit the bolt and had to fiddle with the set-up to get it to work. It was a pain to get the nut positioned because theres very little room to work behind the clutch stop. I ended up using a set of curved hemostats (You could use small curved needle nose pliers) and was able to tighten everything down. I wouldn't recommend using this sized bolt. The idea is sound but maybe try getting some different sized bolts, or just get the ebay one posted above.

02-20-2012, 03:58 PM	#1
Figure807 Power without control is no power at all... 15 Rep 190 Posts Drives: 335i 6spd Blk/Blk Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Honolulu, Hawaii iTrader: (1)	Cheap Clutch Stop I was looking around online for a quick DIY clutch stop because I wasn't going to pay $15 for something that I could just as easily make. I got the idea from the e46 guys, so I can't really take credit for anything other than posting this. Items needed: 1 ea 1/4" x 1 1/2" elevator bolt (got it at Lowe's). A 1" length will work also. 2 ea 1 1/2" Grippers (also at Lowe's, comes in a pack of eight). I suppose 1" will work also, but I already had these. Prep work: you need to remove the panel in the driver's side footwell. 3 screws, #15 torx if I remember correctly. I already pulled out the stock clutch stop in this pic, which is just a little rubber nub. See how the 1/4" is just the right size? Screw it all the way in Note: The images show that I only used one gripper, but I added another one later on. FAQ: How much will this cost? 3-4 bucks. How much do I need to screw it in? All the way! Do I need any nuts or anything to secure it? No! But if you feel you need to then knock yourself out! Will I still be able to start my car without any other mods? Yes! I had to step on the pedal a little harder than normal to compress the grippers a bit, but the additional travel was minimal. Will I grind gears if I do this mod? I used two grippers and screwed it in all the way and was able to freely shift gears with the clutch pedal depressed. How do you know that you're not wear down your synchros? When I re-engage the clutch, there is still a good inch or so of travel before I see the rpms drop, i.e. the clutch is engaging. How does it feel? The feel is not much different from stock, but I can shift more quickly and confidently now. Before this mod, if I wanted to do a quick shift I would only push the clutch in ~halfway, but I was never really sure if the clutch was completely disengaged, which annoyed me. Starting from a stop is much easier now as well since I don't have to modulate the clutch pedal as much. This mod combined with the CDV delete are the two cheapest mods you can do that have the greatest effect on your day-to-day driving. Btw, if you haven't done the CDV delete, you don't need to buy anything. Just take out the CDV, grab a small screwdriver and insert it into the bottle neck end and push until the restrictor pops out the other side. Reinstall and enjoy. Will this work on my 20xx e9x? My car is a 2009 e92 and it worked fine for me, YMMV. Attached Images __________________ 2009 335i Coupe 6MT Blk Sapphire / Blk Leather 2007 328i Coupe 6MT Blk Sapphire / Blk Leather Sold 1985 Toyota Corolla GTS 5MT 1.5-way Slvr / Blk Sold 1987 Toyota Corolla GTS 5MT KAAZ 2-way Blk / Blk Sold Last edited by Figure807; 02-21-2012 at 07:33 AM..*
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06-18-2012, 12:02 PM	#2
conrad325i Private First Class 12 Rep 162 Posts Drives: 2008 335i Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Knoxville, TN iTrader: (0)	Where is the CDV located? I've wanted to do it for sometime however I didn't know here to look I find it. __________________ \| H&R Coilovers \|ApexArc-8s\| M3 ControlArms \| RogueTransMounts \| AFEDualCone \| ERChargePipe \| TialBOV \| ETSIntercooler \| 335isClutch \| BMSCatchCan \| UUC EVO3 SSK \| MichelinPSS \| CobbAP \| JB4 \|
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06-19-2012, 11:33 PM	#3
Figure807 Power without control is no power at all... 15 Rep 190 Posts Drives: 335i 6spd Blk/Blk Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Honolulu, Hawaii iTrader: (1)	Under the car next to the transmission. You'll have to remove the underbody panel. __________________ 2009 335i Coupe 6MT Blk Sapphire / Blk Leather 2007 328i Coupe 6MT Blk Sapphire / Blk Leather Sold 1985 Toyota Corolla GTS 5MT 1.5-way Slvr / Blk Sold 1987 Toyota Corolla GTS 5MT KAAZ 2-way Blk / Blk *Sold
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08-11-2012, 09:12 PM	#4
migey330i New Member 0 Rep 17 Posts Drives: 2006 330i Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Edmonton iTrader: (0)	Cool, going to do this today.
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08-28-2012, 09:57 PM	#5
bas2000 AMG LOL 19 Rep 127 Posts Drives: 6MT like you stole it!! Join Date: May 2009 Location: INDY iTrader: (2)	thanks dude for the diy i tried the 1/4" x 1 1/2" elevator bolt it's just too lose. i'll go back go the store tomorrow and try a larger bolt or put a nut on the end.
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08-28-2012, 11:16 PM	#6
DrSeuss99 Enlisted Member 2 Rep 46 Posts Drives: PimpMobile Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Left Bank iTrader: (0)	nice, but why not just buy one that's proven to work and is adjustable for only a few dollars more? http://www.ebay.com/itm/230519560074...ht_2965wt_1194
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08-29-2012, 09:45 AM	#7
Figure807 Power without control is no power at all... 15 Rep 190 Posts Drives: 335i 6spd Blk/Blk Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Honolulu, Hawaii iTrader: (1)	I've been running it since I posted this - no issues. DIY for DIY-people. I'm not sure why you'd want it to be adjustable either - this pretty much eliminates all of the excess travel at the end of the pedal, why would you want more? adding some nuts would make it completely adjustable for a few more cents though. @bas2000 - the 1/4" x 1 1/2" elevator bolt fit pretty well for me (as you can see in the picture). Post it up if you find a bolt that fits better. __________________ 2009 335i Coupe 6MT Blk Sapphire / Blk Leather 2007 328i Coupe 6MT Blk Sapphire / Blk Leather Sold 1985 Toyota Corolla GTS 5MT 1.5-way Slvr / Blk Sold 1987 Toyota Corolla GTS 5MT KAAZ 2-way Blk / Blk *Sold
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08-29-2012, 04:41 PM	#9
bas2000 AMG LOL 19 Rep 127 Posts Drives: 6MT like you stole it!! Join Date: May 2009 Location: INDY iTrader: (2)	thanks for the feedback! i ordered the ebay stop bc when i removed the oem stop, the rubber tore in the back. mine is an 07 e92 335i. I probably need a 3/8" or larger elevator bolt. will hit menards if i get a chance 2nite.
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09-16-2012, 07:49 PM	#10
kagraham New Member 0 Rep 21 Posts Drives: E90 335i Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: OK iTrader: (0)	Hmm, I have an 08 E90 and the 1/4-20 is too loose in my opinion. It doesn't really thread, can be pulled in/out of the bracket without threading. I'm going for the electrical tape suggestion, I've already made too many trips to lowe's today.
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09-24-2012, 01:35 PM	#12
skolby New Member 0 Rep 5 Posts Drives: 2008 335i Coupe Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Bellevue, WA iTrader: (0)	Looks nice! Too bad I didn't see this before I bought the clutch stop from BMS. Oh well.
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08-02-2013, 07:04 AM	#14
tony3series Private First Class 20 Rep 132 Posts Drives: 2013 BMW X1 35i M-Sport Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Michigan iTrader: (1)	I used this info and I had the same problem. The bolt just slid out, it was too small. Luckily I had a nut that fit the bolt and had to fiddle with the set-up to get it to work. It was a pain to get the nut positioned because theres very little room to work behind the clutch stop. I ended up using a set of curved hemostats (You could use small curved needle nose pliers) and was able to tighten everything down. I wouldn't recommend using this sized bolt. The idea is sound but maybe try getting some different sized bolts, or just get the ebay one posted above.
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