I have a 2012 700i GT, started acting up so I pulled the clutch cover and to my surprise the secondary cracked and its migrated over-top the retaining nut (see pictures)?

Couple of questions

1. What could cause this? Is it just an aged clutch at its end of life or a sign of a more serious issue.
2. Can it be repaired (welded) or just has to be replaced.
3. Any tips for taking it off, specially since I hardly have any nut surface to grab on to.

Thanks in advance

 

Well judging by the paint mark not lining up i would say someone has had that off before and possibly over tightened it... Replace with new if you welded it its going to throw the balance off and cause more issues

 

Good catch Zrock, I didn't notice the paint markings. Are they supposed to go in at a certain position? If so I'm kinda screwed when I go to put the new one on because I don't have the reference anymore?

Anyway oh ya someone over tighten this thing, it took me a few hours to take off (I don't have shop quality air gun). Penetrating oil, lots of heat, breaker bar, tie straps, I used everything, Just glad I didn't beak the shaft, but the clutch didn't survive, it came out in 4 pieces.

 

The paint marks are from assemble at the factory when they torque something down them put a line/mark on it so they can visually see they done that one.. If you look you will find marks on just about everything that needs a torque.. Not to many techs to the paint mark when they are working on things... now that i can see the pic on my computer it looks like their may have been 2 paint marks on it. I found with stuff like that my air gun would not remove them but my electric impact had more torque and pops them off with some effort... when you replace it i would order a new bolt as well and see it you can borrow a tool for holding the clutch so you can torque down properly. I would also buy a paint pen or something so you can mark it.. this way when you pull things apart you can visually look and see if anything has moved..