Master, Slave, or Worse? (ZF320)

[2ean]

As of late it has been hard to get my car into gear from neutral while the motor is running. Turned off, it will shift around just fine.

It began with a "rough" or "sticky" clutch pedal (towards the bottom of the movement).
Then I noticed a change in the friction/grabbing point--it had gotten nearly to the floor.
Now, after bleeding the clutch, the grabbing point is BELOW the floor--that is, the clutch will not fully disengage. I had to limp the car home by turning it off at a stop, shifting to 2 and starting it up to go.

Some people report master/slave/air in the lines, others are saying a pivot pin caused this issue for them, or maybe it's the throwout bearing.


Where to begin? Or do I just pay $1,000 for a full transmission rebuild...?

[LivingLegend06]

Sounds like clutch master cylinder. Start there, its only a $50 part. When you are able to get it into gear does the clutch let itself out over a few seconds?

I had the same problem a few years ago, only difference is that mine failed suddenly.

[jlevie]

The first action should be to make sure the system is fully bled. If that fails to help replace the clutch master and slave cylinders. If that fails to help the transmission is going to have to come out.

[2ean]

Thanks guys. Slave and master + bleed are easy enough to start with.
Stock e30 master paired with e36 slave for the ZF?

When the clutch would fully disengage and I could shove it into gear, all was well. No slippage or anything.

My biggest fear is a failing TOB. If that explodes, it will likely also destroy my supposedly "recently new" clutch.

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