Clutch troubles

[Bigmeat]

Hi guys, looking for a bit of advice before I shell out some cash.

I took my Baur off the road for the winter at the end of October. Due to ill health I only got it back on the road in early July. It's been moved out of the garage a couple of times and warmed up, during the last 7 months, and every time I found that it would go into gear ok, but when I rolled it out it would stall as I stopped, and the clutch pedal wouldn't return. Taking it out of gear, restarting sorted it and I could move the car back into the garage.
I assumed something was sticking, so used it carefully on the road for about a week, covering around 100 miles. Then at the end of the week, whilst on a run, it wouldn't go into gear. I kept it rolling, and eventually got 2nd. Then it'd be ok for a little while, and then play up again. We headed home, and it ended with me stuck in 2nd, and a terribly hairy drive as I couldn't stop as the clutch stayed flat to the floor, and I couldn't change gear. it was a case of 'coming through whether you like it or not...'

I know nothing about mechanicals, and am not capable of fixing this myself. I've tried to do some research, and I suspect that it's a fault with the slave cylinder, as there is no leaked fluid on the garage floor, which I gather would indicate master cylinder failure?
There's no smell of burning clutch, so i'm not thinking it's any problem with the clutch itself.

I've got a mechanic friend who has offered to do take the car and do it for me, but I need to know what bits to get hold of.

For info the car is a '79 Mk1 Baur, which has had a 2.0 m10 from a 2002tii fitted. It's running twin Webers and has about 170bhp

I'm thinking it'd be best to change the master and slave cylinder at the same time, if one has failed, then no doubt the other will go sooner or later.
I've looked on W&N and they only offer the LHD master cylinder. My car was originally lhd, but was converted to rhd. Is it likely that this master cylinder will fit?
I know W&N have had troubles with various parts, and that a lot of rubber parts have been inferior and failed early. Are the W&N clutch cylinders up to the job, or will the rubber seals fail early too?

Are there any other bits I should look to change at the same time? Is it worth an upgrade to braided hoses whilst the system is in bits?

Thanks in advance for your help.
Al

[Jeroen]

Hi there,

Well it could be both, the master which is sitting behind the clutch pedal and the under dash cover, so in the passenger compartment. They are a PITA to remove so you may want to overhaul this one. The friction specialists usually sell affordable kits and your garagist should be able to fit that after a slight hone. The slave is fitted to the bell housing and these are usually so cheap its better to replace it. This stuff can also be obtained from WN, no problem.

More info in the FAQ here: http://www.bmwe21.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=38&t=13418 (scroll down)

[Bigmeat]

Thanks for the info chief.

My friend had a look last night. He says the master cylinder is definitely leaking, and he thinks the slave is about done for too.

I mentioned the repair kit but he wants to just change the whole thing, both cylinders at the same time.

W&N only list lhd master cylinders.

My car was converted to rhd, but I don't know if my master was changed too.

I've got a picture but can't get it to post using my phone. It appears to be the same as the one on W&N's website though.

Can someone with access please send me a pic of their master cylinder and state if it's r or l hand drive?

Is it worth changing the rubber hose to a braided one while the systems in bits? And if so can anyone recommend me where to buy the braided hose from?

Lastly, he pointed out that the clutch pedal has no return spring fitted. I can't find a part number for it on W&N's site. Anyone have one or know where I can get one? My local bmw dealer is useless. They never want to check while you're stood there, and rarely ever get back to you if you leave...

Thanks

[Jeroen]

Well you can't trust BMW for the full 100% so if there's anyone who's ever had a LHD and RHD example side by side who can confirm that would be most welcome, but BMW currently list one P/N for both: 21 52 1 156 004. Close to 200 quid but I'm pretty sure you can obtain one for half that money, for example from FAG or Até, if you use one of the suppliers in our directory.

Braided hose: never seen one and since pressure is really low its useless anyway

Spring: have a look here, useful link for a parts search or diagrams (also in our directory)
http://bmwfans.info/parts-catalog/E21/E ... _switch_2/