clutch question (e21)

[fultron]

Ok so ive been working on my e21 for a while, and yesterday i push clutch in... but no clutching happened... im thinking the master cylinder/ slave cylinder... any thoughts?

[78vette]

Is it a getrag 265 with removable bellhousing?

[ZfrkS62]

good way to eliminate who the culprit is: take a rag and pair of vice grips, wrap the rag around the rubber line in the clutch circuit between the two cylinders and pinch it off lightly with the vice grips. Now push the clutch pedal. if it's solid, then the problem is in the slave cylinder. if it's still squishy or as no feel, it's the master cylinder.

I'm not sure if BMW started using the brake reservoir as the supplier for fluid for the system, if it is, then you need to pull back the carpet in the driver;s footwell and find the master cylinder.

If it is a seperate cylinder from the brakes, then check the firewall to see if the fluid is leaking from behind the cylinder at the rear seal. The paint will be peeled from the point of the point of the leak. It may also be leaking from the boot, inside the car, so check there too for peeled paint or the faint smell of brake fluid under the dash.

if it's the slave cylinder: then you're going to have to pull the cylinder out of the trans and inspect the boot around the pushrod. If it's leaking there then you may have to replace the clutch as well because of fluid contamination. so it may be worth it to pull the trans too. (pain in the ass i know, but if it saves you from losing the clutch while driving, it's worth it.)

If the hydraulic circuit is fine: your issue resides in either the diaphram spring or the clutch fork is cracked at the pivot point.

so for the sake of convienience, i hope it's your master cylinder :wink:

hope these tips help

[fultron]

thanks ill give it a look and let you know whats up