BMW Repair: Clutch Repair, sachs clutch kit, clutch repair

Question
Recently lost use of clutch over a period of two weeks.  I believe the troughout bearing needs replaced. Rats chewed a hole in the clutch/break resovore cap and dirt and moisture got within. After much sqealing, the cluch rarely engages the bearing and I must power shift.  What is exact proceedure for repair begining with removal of exhaust system. 1992 BMW 525i M50, E34,S5D 310Z.  Recently I have had a obnoxious rattle at low speeds over bump at about mid chasis

Answer
Well first i would get a Sachs clutch kit, comes with bearing, pressure plate, and disc.

Take off exhaust. unbolt the drive shaft. remove the lower strut bar. you have about 6 or so bolts to unscrew for the transmission the top 2 being the hardest to get to. once the transmission is off ( a transmission cart would help , the beast is heavy)... you have the pressure plate to take off... then the bearing and disc will come off... the install the new parts, and use the plastic alignment plug that comes with the kit to center the disc while tightening the new pressure plate on. pull the plug out. put the transmission back etc... your done

Have you checked your clutch cylinders, both the master and the slave... maybe you have a problem there and not necissarily with the clutch disc/bearing/and plate.

Manu