So I was able to put the clutch back together and install the transmission. Didn't need no stinkin' clutch alignment tool!
I learned a pretty cool trick from the interwebs this week from a friend regarding how to perfectly align the clutch plate.
First, I had to get some new pressure plate bolts (okay, I believe they are really called screws), and they are M7 x 25mm long. You can't find M7 bolts anywhere. But I finally found some with hex heads at Menards. So I bought them for $0.99 each and pondered for a while if I could use them. I decided to use them. Both the BMW screws and new screws have Grade 8.8 marked on the heads. Then I weighed four of them (two of the BMW screws stripped and had to be drilled out, hence the replacement screws) and the new ones are slightly lighter. Then I considered the geometry for residual imbalance, and figured it's not going to make a hill of beans difference.
The heads of the hex head are a little smaller in diameter, and the torque spec is 17 N-M (12 FT-LB) if I recall. The clutch pressure plate spring really keeps the threads engaged on these screws.
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Four of the BMW ones are 41 grams, so 10.25 grams each.
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The new ones are 38 grams, about 9.5 grams each.
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Used the lube from Beemerboneyard to lube the points as outlined in the manual including the splines.
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So here is how to align the clutch without a tool.
1. Put everything back up in the correct order and start all pressure plate screws. Then go around around in a cross pattern and tighten them until you can still move the clutch plate, but it stays in place after you move it. It might have to be tight enough so it will only move if you hit it with a rubber mallet.
2. Install the clutch push rod and eyeball the center of the clutch, move it as required. Note that the clutch push rod can really be moved in all different directions, use common sense to make sure it is centered.
3. Put the two studs in the engine housing so you can ride the transmission in on these. Put the transmission up on them and slide it in. Make sure you lift the ass end of the transmission so the side mounting holes to the frame line up vertically, you'll know the transmission is going in straight at that point.
4. As you start to engage the transmission input shaft to the clutch disc, you turn the transmission output shaft to get it to line up the splines. If the clutch pressure plate is loose enough and close enough to center, it will move and the transmission will engage. If you get all the way to the dowel pins, you are in. I then used a rubber mallet to push it about 1/2 way on the dowel pins to ensure it was good.
5. Carefully remove the transmission, keeping the ass end upright and parallel to the engine, so you don't upset the clutch disc.
6. Using a torque wrench, tighten the pressure plate screws to 75% (about 12 N-M), the clutch disc won't move now.
7. Repeat 3, 4, and 5 to ensure everything is good.
8. If good, torque the pressure plate and the install the transmission for good.
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All home and torqued up. I think this method is probably more fool proof as compared to using a tool. My friend who owns a shop does this with cars. Takes an extra 30 minutes to pull the transmission back out and torque the pressure plate, but you know it's going back in. How many times did you spend HOURS on this?
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