Clutch has no resistance?

Justin e36 · 01-24-2006, 04:13 PM

Yesterday I was pulling out of my driveway.. and the car wouldn't go into reverse... in fact, it wouldn't go into any gears at all. So I checked the clutch stop, and removed it completely. The clutch had a bit more travel... but I was able to change gears now.

Today, I just finished an install and was on my way out again.. and the clutch is dead, completely dead. It's light as a feather, as soon as I put a bit of pressure on it, it touches the ground.. and pops back up. Impossible to change gears, no resistance at all.

Master cylinder fluid is fine. I'm thinking maybe Clutch slave cylinder?... Anyone have this problem before I go replacing stuff unnecessarily? I would assume it's the clutch slave, or clutch master... but any input from someone who's done this before would be appreciated.

Justin

Justin e36 · 01-24-2006, 04:27 PM

10 mins.. no reply, drats. gunna crawl under the car in the snow/rain and pull that bad boy out to see if it is damaged.

J

Mark.C. · 01-24-2006, 04:36 PM

the problem has to be hydraulic.
or the pressure plate broke

**NickP** · 01-24-2006, 04:36 PM

Not sure if e36's have them... e30's have a return spring on the clutch pedal - maybe it popped out?

edit...
I reread your post; its not the spring. I have an old e30 slave kicking around - I'm sure it has a different bore etc but is probably good enough for troubleshooting if its the slave / master.

ZiMMie · 01-24-2006, 04:38 PM

chk ur brake fluid to see if u have more than it requires.

325iSBimmer · 01-24-2006, 04:38 PM

yeah sounds like the slave cylinder. I had a similar problem where my clutch engagement was in such a small area of the clutch travel that it was hard to change gears smothly. i thought it was my slave so i replaced it. but it made no difference. I thinnk its cause the clutch itself was a cheap aftermarket unit that probably has the geometry a little off and so it pivots right at the top of the pedal stroke.

but in your case it sounds like a new slave will solve your problem. I paid $70 for mine brand new.

take a 13mm socket under there with you. two nuts and the slave cylinder will come out. if u have a helper get them to push the clutch pedal down and see what happens

mirek · 01-24-2006, 04:39 PM

check clutch master and slave cylinder, any leaks? There might be a major fault with the slave cylinder.

Check the slave cylinder if you can, not sure if you have to remove the gearbox to check out the slave cylinder. It has to hit the clutch release lever, and the clutch has got to press the slave cylinder back again when you release the pedal.

RMPMOTORS · 01-24-2006, 04:48 PM

DO NOT press the clutch pedal when the slave is out of the tranny, this will cause the piston in the slave to pop right out of the slave and oil spraying all over you and possibly ruining the slave is its not bad already. Never depress the clutch with the slave out of the tranny.

Check if the slave is leaking, try to bleed the clutch hydralic syste, check for any leaks from the master (into your car)

Hope this helps

RM

Bruno · 01-24-2006, 04:50 PM

I would also bet on slave cylinder, check for brake fluid leaks under the car.
Easy and cheap fix.

Justin e36 · 01-24-2006, 05:15 PM

didn't even have to remove the slave cylinder... there's fluid underneath it, the rest of the area under the car is dry. bah. now I need to find myself a ride in the next 50 mins to pick up another one. grr..

mirek · 01-24-2006, 05:20 PM

where are you? i can come pick your ass up

325iSBimmer · 01-24-2006, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RMPMOTORS

DO NOT press the clutch pedal when the slave is out of the tranny, this will cause the piston in the slave to pop right out of the slave and oil spraying all over you and possibly ruining the slave is its not bad already. Never depress the clutch with the slave out of the tranny.

Check if the slave is leaking, try to bleed the clutch hydralic syste, check for any leaks from the master (into your car)

Hope this helps

RM

Good thing you caught that. Sorry about the missleading info mate.
I always tend to froget about the way haudraulics work under pressure. My boss caught me pressing on brake pedals with the rear drums off. and He'd always bitch cause I could blow the wheel cylinders out...my bad

**T.Dot_E30** · 01-24-2006, 05:58 PM

You mean there is fluid under the pedals where your feet are?
Im not sure weather you meant inside the car or outside.

But if it is inside the car then thats the master leaking, the slave is on the tranny itself.

325iSBimmer · 01-24-2006, 05:59 PM

yeah. i think he means under the slave cylinder by the tranny its all wet.

Justin e36 · 01-24-2006, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mirek

where are you? i can come pick your ass up

thanks mirek... just got back home though. $28 cab ride + justin's discounts = free.

replacement slave cylinder + justin's hookups = free.

now to do the labour in the dark, with the snow coming down... ugh.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 325iSBimmer

yeah. i think he means under the slave cylinder by the tranny its all wet.

'

That's right.. sorry. I meant under the vehicle itself on the left side of the tranny.

J