Clutch / Gearbox question

[ocde30]

Hands up I am no motor engineer so please forgive my naivety on this post.

I have read quite a bit on the Zone recently about clutch issues - with great help, instruction and advice to help replace clutch hydraulics.

My clutch ( 318i - 1991 - 65k miles ) has an issue as on three occasions recently the clutch hasn't disengaged when doing slow manoeuvring in and out of the garage - switching engine off was the only way to stop. Clutch has always been a bit keen since I bought it a year ago - taking up a bit sooner than I would expect but liveable with.

So having read about leaking slave cylinders etc I decided to investigate fully expecting leaking / weeping cylinders. All hydraulics are lovely and dry so no leaks. Fluid level in reservoir is OK and has never moved. Pedal pressure / action feels OK.

Looking from under the gearbox I did see this wire / clip sticking out of the right hand side. What is this? It is loose but captive inside the box. It looks like it could be the clip that holds the release arm but I am not sure how it should look when fitted correctly. If it is then this could be the cause of my problem.

Does It look like I may need to take the box out to investigate further??

Attached are some pictures ( not great as position is difficult ) of the visible bit of the clip and an illustration of the clip I think it might be.

Any advice / thoughts / pictures of this clip when fitted correctly ?

Cheers

[paultv]

Looks like the retention spring for the release fork is broken or has become dislodged.

There should be two ends of the retainer visible and you appear to have only one, see my picture below.

Also the spring looks like it is sticking out too far in your shot.

20190828_163001.jpg

Paul

[ocde30]

Hi Paul,

Thank you for the picture Paul. It is as I suspected - that makes a lot of sense.

Looks like the box out so might as well replace clutch etc whilst it is out.

Cheers

[paultv]

Yes indeed, and check if all is dry inside the bell housing as it's also a good time to replace oil seals.

Paul

[ocde30]

Had the transmission out this weekend and you were correct Paul, the fork retaining spring clip had become detached. The clip was in good condition so is a mystery how it could detach itself?
Fitted a new clip of course and added a cable tie on the outside to help avoid a reoccurrence. The cable tie is not over tight and so will not affect the clip in any way other than restraining it from opening wide enough to ever go back inside.
The bell housing was bone dry so didn't disturb any oil seals. It was still the original clutch and only 50% worn but replaced with new.
I had already bought my LUK replacement when you posted your excellent comparison last week. After seeing your comparison I immediately had a look at the LUK to see if it also had the quality of a child's tambourine. It didn't rattle and actually looked nothing like the LUK in your vid? It looked very much like the Sachs and when compared to the original clutch on the car it was almost identical in every way. Long story short, I fitted the LUK and it is performing pretty much as I had hoped - smooth, quiet and precise. The gear change is so positive and smooth it is hard to believe I am driving a car almost 30 years old.
Working in a standard ( tight ) single garage on ramps/stands it took two of us 5 hrs. Nothing too taxing, just have the right tools at hand and a bit of patience. I was probably lucky but no bolts were difficult or seized - even on the exhaust bracket and heat shield!
The E30 Wiki really helped, a great resource - thanks.

Loose clip as found

IMG_2755.JPG

How clip should look

IMG_2762.jpg

Cable tie in position - can't think of reason why this could cause any harm?

IMG_2761.jpg

Dry bell housing before a clean up

IMG_2756.JPG

New clutch in place

IMG_2764.JPG

[Foe]

Nice update.
It's amazing, how thin and flimsy that clip is.

[martauto]

That cable tie is a simple but great idea

Mart.