put the car up on jack stands and started the car in neutral. when i shift the car into first gear and i still have the clutch pushed to the floor the rear wheels start creeping and then they pick up some speed. the whole time i keep my foot on the clutch pedal. im trying to to find out what is wrong with my car because when im driving the car it wont shift into the gears i want without putting all my might into pushing the shifter. this is very annoying problem and i want to get some answers before i start pulling it apart and ordering parts. im thinking it has something to do with the fork that holds the throwout bearing because while it was up on the stands i manually was pushing on the forks and letting it go. when i release it i find that it doesnt spring back all the way i have to push it a little. also when i press my clutch it takes about an 1-2" before i get good tension. any help would be great so i can fix this thing before it snows

 

The clutch isn't fully releasing when you push the pedal. You either have air in the system, worn out master/slave cylinder, or a worn out clutch. If it's the trans that's been swapped in (assuming it's the 87 in your avatar), then I'd look at air in the line first. It's the cheapest and easiest. How many miles are on the clutch? If it's got alot, I'd look there next. Does it get any better if you pump the pedal a few times? If so, then look into the master or slave cylinder. If you do end up replacing the clutch, I'd do the hydraulics while you're down there.

 

if there is air in the line how do i bleed it out. it is an 87 with a manual trans swapped in. i didnt do it but this has just been getting worse or the past 3-4 months i dont even drive the car anymore

 

If the slave cylinder isn't leaking, then more than likely your master cylinder is getting weak and bleeding off pressure.

Dan

 

You bleed it like you bleed brakes. Have someone pump the cluctch pedal, with them holding it down crack open the bleeder screw on the slave cylinder. Only open it for a second to let the air/fluid escape. Close it and have the person in the car let the pedal up. Do this a few times and check the fluid level in the master cylinder. Don't let it run dry, if you do you will have to start over (and run the risk of burning it up). Getting all the air out can be a pain (trying to push it down hill). A vacuum pump (Mityvac) will make it easier.

 

mityvac is sweet. you can bleed your brakes with a mityvac. they even got a mityvac setup for bmw's where they suck up the oil and the filter is changed in the engine bay, no need to jack up the car for oil change. mityvac is worth it. but for the time being, bleed the clutch line, btw, what does the clutch line take? regular brake fluid?

 

Dot 3 brake fluid is what I use.

 

i had the car up on stands yesterday i couldnt see a bleeder valve on the slave cylinder do you know where it is or maybe i wasnt looking very hard

 

its on top by the line toward the front of the car you need to use an allen wrench its kind of hidden in there