Re: <E30> Hard to shift

["Ron Buchalski" <rbuchals@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Michel,

I have a 1985 318i, and I've experienced something similar to what you 
describe.  Twice.

Does the clutch pedal also feel stiffer than it used to be?

The clutch release bearing (which pushes against the pressure plate 
"fingers" to release the clutch) has two flat sides which fit into the 
clutch fork, to keep the release bearing properly aligned.

What happened?  The clutch release bearing became misaligned in the clutch 
fork.  This caused it's motion to no longer be smooth (resulting in the 
stiffer clutch pedal feel), and it also caused the clutch to sometimes feel 
like it didn't fully disengage, and would allow the transmission to continue 
to spin a little.  This would cause gear crunching, or difficult gear 
engagement.

The fix?  Pull the transmission, replace the clutch release bearing and 
clutch fork.  And while you're in there, replace the clutch, pressure plate, 
clutch pilot bearing, and resurface the flywheel, if necessary.  Also, for a 
slightly higher expense, have them check the transmission oil seal on the 
input shaft, and the rear main oil seal, and replace them if they're 
leaking.

The front main oil seal on the engine can be replaced easily, as can the 
rear transmission oil seal.  But the input seal on the transmission, and the 
rear main seal on the engine, can only be replaced by removing the 
transmission.

Good luck,

- -rb

>Date: Wed, 24 May 2000 08:25:36 -0400
>From: mdrainville@domain.elided
>Subject: <E30> Hard to shift
>
>Hello list.
>My 91 318ic is not shifting as free as it should.  The feel I have is like 
>the clutch is still engaged a bit, like when you shift and don't depress 
>the pedal enough.  Let's say I backup from my drive way, while the car is 
>barely moving backward (0.5mph!) I engage 1st and I can feel and ear the 
>gear matching together with a noticable clunk. Sometimes it won't engage 
>until I stop completely. It's the same feeling as when you try to shift 
>without using the clutch and the rpm is not matched. In normal driving, the 
>shifting take some effort. In spirited driving, if I shift fast, sometimes 
>it won't engage into 2nd with normal force applied to the shifter and here 
>go the revs.
>
>Could it be a tired pressure plate? If I shift at 5500 from 1st to 2nd and 
>dump the clutch, I can feel some slippage for one second, the it grabs. The 
>car has 101000 miles and I don't know if it's the original clutch since I 
>own the car for only 3 years.
>
>Is there an adjustement for the clutch?
>
>Any help is welcome.
>
>Thanks
>Michel Drainville
>91 318ic

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