Hard Clutch Pedal

[4inpwr]

I've had a hard clutch pedal on my 328is since I bought the car and it's always been a pain to drive. It requires so much force to press it and it springs back pretty quick so I have to be very careful with it otherwise I end up near stalling. I had gotten my clutch changed out since it was on its way out and figured that was the reason why it was so hard to press. For about a week after changing the clutch everything was nice and soft and I loved driving my car once again. After about a week it gradually started just getting harder again. Not too long ago I changed my front brake pads so knowing that the clutch operates on the same brake fluid I drained it all out even on the rear wheels and took out all the air. The clutch once again worked good for about 2 days but now it got hard again. I know two guys that are mechanics at the local BMW stealership and none of them can tell me anything about this without being there in person with the car. I am going to take it to them tomm but i was hoping i could get some ideas on what could be wrong from the forums. Please post any ideas you may have. thank you!

[Bluebimma]

Doesnt sound like a problem to me, e36 clutch pedals arent soft. :dunno

[exodus454]

Every e36 I've driven has the same stiff, springy clutch feel to it. I didn't like it on mine so I took out the spring on the pedal that helps return it all the way to the top and helps keep pressure off the clutch master cylinder.

Helped with the "springy" feeling, but it's still stiff. And now my pedal doesn't get held all the way up, so to get the cruise control to work I have to pull the pedal up with my foot :mad

[BMWALDO]

Doesnt sound like a problem to me, e36 clutch pedals arent soft. :dunno

I like the feel of a firm pedal. Leg work out and it just seems real responsive to shifts. Love the feel of my buddies clutch. Just like that.

[tonysticks]

I used to have E30 car before and it used to have a very stiff clutch pedal. Now, I have E36 and still the same feeling. I don't think this is a problem. I think they were made like this.

[4inpwr]

I understand because of engine size and model the pedal will seem much harder then a civic or such but i've driven two of my friends e36's and their pedals do not feel as hard as mine. their pedals feel as hard as mine did right after i changed the clutch, I'm thinking one of my cylinders is on its way out.

[ososinsk]

I had the problem on a honda prelude. Your description of the problem sounds like what I experienced, and it took forever to find what was causing it. The prelude, like the 328 (but not the 325) has a clutch damping valve. On my car, the damping valve was getting stuck, and not letting enough fluid back out when the clutch was released. This led to residual pressure in the clutch line, which made it harder to press down the clutch each time. For me, this also eventually caused enough pressure in the line to keep the clutch disengaged, even without pushing the clutch pedal in.

Try removing the clutch damping valve. #21 in this diagram:

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=BG13&mospid=47485&btnr=21_0059&hg=21&fg=10

Even if it doesn't end up solving your problem, most consider this an upgrade because the valve takes away some of the control you have over the clutch, and it is supposed to feel more crisp after. Read up some more on it before you do it.

[Brewtech]

cdv delete. all of the 5er guys do this in order to improve clutch control. i think it goes by Clutch Delay Valve also.