Clutch stop review

[bryce]

i installed a clutch stop tonight and it went very well. for those of you that aren't familiar with this item, it reduces the throw of the clutch slightly (1/2") since the engagement point is before the clutch pedal hits the floor. took a ~30 min drive and loved the subtle change in clutch and shift feel! install was easy, item is inexpensive, overall a terrific simple modification! got it off ebay from a seller named "pickyeater334"

pic related, the clutch stop piror to install. it was too dark to capture a pic or two of it installed, i'll try in the morning to get a better pic.

[bryce]

i've had a few questions about the install and where this piece mounts, so i thought i'd update this thread with a few pictures. the clutch stop mounts against the firewall close to the pivot point of the clutch pedal. these were the best pictures i could take of the area i'm talking about:



^this is behind the clutch pedal, the opening leads to the firewall, where the clutch stop is mounted

here's a better pic of the opening behind the clutch pedal:




i did not remove the under panels that are blocking the view. you can take this out to make it easier, i just used a flashlight and took my time and was able to remove the factory clutch stop and pop in the new one. in hind sight, it would have been quicker to remove the panel.


and finally, here is a link to where i got the clutch stop.

thanks!

[timhatimay]

I had this panel off the other day, but didn't notice this little black plastic stock stop (but I wasn't really looking for it either)...was this on your 135i? How does the stock piece remove? From the pics, it looks like the new stop just pushes in? It seems like a nice easy way to improve clutch feel a bit, and for $14, I may just do it!

Thanks,

Tim

[MasterD678]

I just did this and I give it two thumbs up! I bought the exact same one and installed it in seconds. Makes the clutch not feel like it has a mile of travel!

[mineo77]

just ordered! thanks! $14, cant go wrong with that!

[timhatimay]

I've had mine in for about a week now, and I've got to say I really like it. Its really easy to install, and for $14 you can't go wrong. I don't notice any grinding in any gears, and also allowed the car to roll back and change through all the gears. I notice that it makes downshifts much smoother, and I can rev-match more easily now. Overall its cheap, easy, and makes a significant difference in clutch pedal feel!

Tim

[///M1]

I'm about to buy this one, hate how long the clutch pedal travel is. Had one on my M5 (made by Rogue Engineering) and I loved it, time for a cheap and easy mod.

[mineo77]

i love it..super easy and great change.

[RPM90]

Originally Posted by timhatimay

I had this panel off the other day, but didn't notice this little black plastic stock stop (but I wasn't really looking for it either)...was this on your 135i? How does the stock piece remove? From the pics, it looks like the new stop just pushes in? It seems like a nice easy way to improve clutch feel a bit, and for $14, I may just do it!

Thanks,

Tim

Is it simply the lower panel that covers the pedal area?
There are like 4-5 phillips screws?

Do you or anyone have a DIY with pics?
It looks very easy to remove, I was just curious if there is something down there that needs special attention?

Does it look possible, like perhaps a bolt could thread into the OEM stop?

I've made my own before, but for $14 I may get that one.
But, the OP states 1/2" reduction. My clutch stop removed at least 1" of travel. Does the $14 piece have any adjustment to remove more travel beyond .5"?

[timhatimay]

Originally Posted by RPM90

Is it simply the lower panel that covers the pedal area?
There are like 4-5 phillips screws?

Do you or anyone have a DIY with pics?
It looks very easy to remove, I was just curious if there is something down there that needs special attention?

Does it look possible, like perhaps a bolt could thread into the OEM stop?

I've made my own before, but for $14 I may get that one.
But, the OP states 1/2" reduction. My clutch stop removed at least 1" of travel. Does the $14 piece have any adjustment to remove more travel beyond .5"?

This isn't a DIY, but this is what I did. The job is relatively simple and quick. You can easily lower that panel if you really want to. I believe there is 3 T20 bolts and one clip. You don't need to remove the panel however, and if you just get down into the footwell with a flashlight you can look up to the spot. Just move the foam/rubber flap out of the way and you will see a little rubber disc (thats the stock stop). I just popped off the stock one with a flathead. I broke the rubber pin that holds it in, and I've heard others have done this as well. I just poked it out of the hole with the screw driver. Then just put in the new stop. I pushed it in as hard as I could with my hands, and made sure it was lined up straight. Then I just sat in the seat and pushed in the clutch pedal with a little extra force. You will feel the stop push in completely, and then can tell that it is all the way in.

I don't think this is a threaded hole where the stock one goes into, but if you wanted to thread a tiny screw into the rubber maybe thats possible if thats what you are talking about.

Even though the clutch stop is just a plastic pin with some rubber, I think its worth the relatively low cost. It seems to be a great height, and doesn't defeat the hill assist, or starting the car normally, and also doesn't grind the gears either. Its not as aggressive as some others maybe, and is not adjustable, but it does make a noticeable difference.

Hope this helps,

Tim

[mineo77]

i didnt have to take off the lower panel (which i have done on many occasions), so it was literally about a 1 minute job

[Itanius]

This was easily the best $14 mod ever.

[///M1]

Just ordered mine, seller sent me directions which seem to be a lot more involved (although it is easy) than what most people reported. I guess maybe this is for the 3-series and on the 1- no panel removal is necessary?

http://bmwclutchstop.webs.com/e9xinstall.htm

[Bimmer-Bob]

Originally Posted by ///M1

Just ordered mine, seller sent me directions which seem to be a lot more involved (although it is easy) than what most people reported. I guess maybe this is for the 3-series and on the 1- no panel removal is necessary?

http://bmwclutchstop.webs.com/e9xinstall.htm

No, panel removal is not needed. I didn't even have to move my seat back.

If you look at the pic you'll see what you need to be feeling for - just reach in and peel off the stock clutch stop and pop this one in. Took me less than 30 seconds in the parking lot at work.

[///M1]

Originally Posted by Bimmer-Bob

No, panel removal is not needed. I didn't even have to move my seat back.

If you look at the pic you'll see what you need to be feeling for - just reach in and peel off the stock clutch stop and pop this one in. Took me less than 30 seconds in the parking lot at work.

Great, thx for the feeedback. So just to confirm, the stock one is not screwed in (as you say 'peel off the stock stop')? In my E39 M5, I had to remove the stock one and install the Rogue Engineering clutch stop with a flat head screwdriver as it was not a pop-in. Thx

[Bimmer-Bob]

Originally Posted by ///M1

Great, thx for the feeedback. So just to confirm, the stock one is not screwed in (as you say 'peel off the stock stop')? In my E39 M5, I had to remove the stock one and install the Rogue Engineering clutch stop with a flat head screwdriver as it was not a pop-in. Thx

No, it is not screwed in. It is a thin rubber disc with a short rubber nub that just pops in to a hole. I didn't use a flashlight and was easily able to do it by feel. You'll be amazed at how easy it is, and wonder why anyone else bothered with panel removal.

[Itanius]

Just put your head as far into the footwell as you can, and look up into the slot for the clutch pedal - a flashlight is necessary. You'll then be able to see the OEM clutch stop as shown in the photos. Simply pull it out and press in the new one. It's that easy.

[///M1]

Cool, thx guys! Must be the easiest DIY mod on this car from the looks of it!

[Andrew@ET]

I installed this on my 135 its probably the best mod ive installed so far the difference is night and day !


On that note we should have about 20 clutch stops in stock in a few days Pm me to order.

[RPM90]

Originally Posted by Andrew@EMS

I installed this on my 135 its probably the best mod ive installed so far the difference is night and day !


On that note we should have about 20 clutch stops in stock in a few days Pm me to order.

Can you post a link to the ordering site?
Is there a picture of the stop there?

[bryce]

Originally Posted by RPM90

Can you post a link to the ordering site?
Is there a picture of the stop there?

here's where i got mine, and i think everyone else did, too

Originally Posted by Andrew@EMS

I installed this on my 135 its probably the best mod ive installed so far the difference is night and day !


On that note we should have about 20 clutch stops in stock in a few days Pm me to order.

[///M1]

Originally Posted by RPM90

Can you post a link to the ordering site?
Is there a picture of the stop there?

I got it from this guy, he sold over 30 in the last week alone! (probably thx to this thread)

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/E9X-B...item35ac09578a