Clutch not disengaging

[Straight6]

A couple weeks I got in my 97 Z3 2.8L to go to work and I couldn't put the car in gear. I had driven it home the day before with no problems.

I replaced the master and slave cylinders and bled them using several of the methods I found in this forum.

The clutch pedal feels fine but the clutch drags when the pedal is down and I can't put it in gear with the engine running. If I start the car it rolls forward (or back if in reverse). I can drive the car by floating between gears and leaving it in 1st at stop lights. I see no leaks and all the rubber parts look fine or have been replaced. Any ideas about what's wrong?

 

[motco]

Partial seizure of the spigot bearing would have this effect. Try pressing the pedal with your right foot (engine off) and try to detect a sort of 'over-centre' sensation. Diaphragm springs have a peculiar force profile and if it is operating properly you should feel the force rise and fall slightly. Your left foot is too used to the feeling to notice it in my experience.

 

[NZ00Z3]

I had a similar problem and replacing the rubber clutch line to the slave cylinder with a stainless steel braided one fixed my problem. The rubber one was ballooning under pressure.

 

[Straight6]

Thank you both for your replies! Sorry it's taken me so long to get back here. @motco you were very close in your diagnosis. The diaphragm spring was bent and your suggestion of using my right foot was helpful. While I had the transmission off I replaced the 5th gear shift detent, the flywheel, the transmission fluid, and the shift bushings. The car feels like new now.

 

[motco]

Good to hear it!

 

[DrWong]

Thank you both for your replies! Sorry it's taken me so long to get back here. @motco you were very close in your diagnosis. The diaphragm spring was bent and your suggestion of using my right foot was helpful. While I had the transmission off I replaced the 5th gear shift detent, the flywheel, the transmission fluid, and the shift bushings. The car feels like new now.

Did you do the work yourself and if so, do any photos?

 

[Straight6]

Did you do the work yourself and if so, do any photos?

I did do the work myself. I didn't take pictures with the transmission off. I still have the old parts if you want pictures of them

 

[DrWong]

I did do the work myself. I didn't take pictures with the transmission off. I still have the old parts if you want pictures of them

It’s ok mate, I was more interested in the process than the parts, thanks for the offer tho