BMW 3 Series Clutch cable replacement

Do I need to replace the clutch cable on my BMW 3 Series?

If your BMW 3 Series is a manual then you will know how fun it is to drive, especially if you have mountains to climb. But to enjoy the hill climbs, the clutch needs to be happy and working at it’s very best.

If your finding it’s getting harder to get into gear or the clutch pedal has been feeling a little different lately, then it might be time to have a clutch cable inspection.

Clutch cables can stretch, get damaged, or wear over time. 

A clutch cable runs from the clutch foot pedal and through the engine bay to the fork on the clutch. Pressure applied on the fork disengages the clutch so you can change gears. This is done via the cable when you push your foot on the clutch pedal.

The cable is braided steel with a protective sheath cover. The cable can stretch over time and with extended use. There is no specific life span on a cable but it will usually need to be replaced at some stage during the vehicle’s lifetime.

Here are the warning signs that the clutch cable may need to be replaced:

• You can see that the cable is damaged, corroded or broken
• The clutch engages close to the floor and you hardly have to raise your foot before the vehicle is in gear
• The clutch doesn’t engage at all. You can’t get into gear or reverse
• There is no resistance on the clutch pedal - it goes straight to the floor without much pressure and stays on the floor.
• There may be more resistance on the clutch - it feels firmer than usual
• Your gears slip without any action on your part. The vehicle may change in or out of gear on its own.
• You may hear grinding in between gear changes
• It's difficult to change gears

It’s best not to drive the BMW 3 Series if you’re having difficulty getting into gear or slipping in gear. Other than the fact it will probably be causing wear on the clutch, it’s not a safe driving option.

There is no work around when a clutch cable fails - you have to replace it and usually pretty quickly. A clutch is not cheap to replace, so it’s best to replace the less expensive part now before you have two broken parts to deal with later.

If you notice a change in how your clutch pedal feels or if there is a difference in how high or low your pedal is before the clutch engages, then it is a good idea to have an AutoGuru clutch inspection performed and a mechanic will let you know if your BMW 3 Series clutch cable needs to be replaced.