R53 Specific Hydraulic Throw Out Bearing

Since my car is mostly used for tracks, I have been struggling to keep a throwout bearing (TOB) from imploding for the past 5-6 years. I've been through a handful of clutch manufacturers (stock, Valeo, Luk, Giken, and Clutch Master) and inevitably the TOB failed, never outlasting the clutch. During my last session this year, I started feeling the clutch get stiff/notchy and knew that the TOB was likely failing yet again. Pulled the transmission and sure enough, the TOB was toast. Bummer. I'm of the opinion that this linkage design was not up to the task - too many moving pieces, a plastic slave that's a PITA to bleed, and the TOB, except for Gikens, with plastic that likely melts when things get hot. So, I called the only guy I know that's still creating parts for these cars and he came up with this...


Everything on the left replaces everything on the right.





The install is super simple. I won't go through that here b/c there are so many threads on clutch installation. Everything is the same except the following the following:


This is a clutch master kit for the R53 (or 6 speed Getrag). My last clutch was clutch masters FX400 8-puck which I really liked. But on this one you're going to pull the slave cylinder and this kit comes with all the lines you need.


Here's the lines installed on the TOB and running out of the hole in the bell housing.



Line on the left is bleed line. Line on the right is from the master cylinder. On the right of the TOB you can see the connector that goes in to the OEM line once you pull the OEM slave cylinder out.



You'll see the one line with a brake bleed nipple on the end – that’s the bleed line. Super simple to bleed with a motive brake bleeder. Took me longer to set that up than bleed the clutch. No seriously. It was easy.


Here's a picture of the connection to the OEM line. This took 5min to connect.




Here's a link to a short video of the TOB working:


I'm still in the break in miles but I can tell you this thing is the best engagement I've had of any of the clutches I've used. The pedal is smooth and consistent, but you can still feel the engagement point without a problem. The FX400 had a little bit if clatter in 1st even with the 8-puck. This clutch you feel none of that and the engagement is instant. I'm looking forward to hitting the track in a few months. And while we're here this clutch is completely street-able. I'd venture to say it feels like the OEM dual mass it’s so smooth.


Here's the rest of the set up if interested.