M42club.com - Home of the BMW E30/E36 318i/iS

DISCUSSION => Engine + Driveline => Topic started by: Mbryce42 on July 06, 2010, 05:15:27 PM

Title: Clutch/pressure plate write up
Post by: Mbryce42 on July 06, 2010, 05:15:27 PM
I started having trouble getting my car into gear and its finally at the point where it wont go in at all. Sounds like the pressure plate from advice and what I've read. Can someone send me a link with some help getting the transmission down and clutch replaced, I cant seem to find much. and any advice is much appreciated.
Title: Clutch/pressure plate write up
Post by: DesktopDave on July 06, 2010, 05:43:04 PM
Check the shifter linkage, transmission mounts and bleed the clutch system first, just to be sure.  This would be a great time for replacing the tranny mounts too, that's a pretty simple & rewarding job.  If the mounts are worn/cracked/gone away, the transmission can wiggle around & bind the shifter linkage too.  That'd cause symptoms like you're experiencing.

Start with the simple things first...

The clutch is a pretty simple nuts & bolts job but it's a royal pain in the ass.  I'd consider having a shop do it unless I was going to replace everything...output seals, mounts, guibo, shifter cups, Z3 SSK, CSB, etc.  The bell housing bolts are way too close to the firewall to make it easy, and the exhaust system is really in the way.  Add in thirty years of rust & oil leaks and you have at least a weekend project there.