Hey Guys,
When i shift my 90 740ti-M into reverse the car feels like it bucks back a bit and there is a grinding noise. It also sometimes doesn't like to go into 1st. The previous owner had replaced the clutch 2000 miles ago. The faq says that i have a worn clutch but that can't be. What could be the problem?

btw, also do yall completly depress the clutch when switching on the overdrive? I treat it like a regular 5th gear and press the clutch all the way.

thanks!!
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Gene K

Do you have the plastic clutch pedal arm? Mine was worn badly and I replaced it with a steel part from the bone yard.

Your clutch disc is dragging from either internal clutch problems or not enough travel.

What was your original problem? Was the clutch starting to slip or was it getting hard to engage the gears? Sounds like you could still have some air in the system. Could also be due to worn master or slave cylinder seals. Look for signs of any leaks if the fluid level is dropping. Your mechanic should have spotted any slave cylinder problems but the master cylinder may be starting to go. Check under the dash behind the firewall. Here's a sort of silly reason but I've also had my carpet covering kit slip forward and get under the clutch peddle preventing it from going down enough to release completely.

As stated below (and you suspected) my uninformed guess is that the clutch needs to be adjusted. I think that's SOP for a new clutch - a "short" wearing in period followed by adjustment. Do you have the same trouble shifting into 1st? If not, you probably can avoid grinding into reverse by briefly shifting into 1st (to at least slow the gears) and then reverse. (I don't think there are synchros for reverse, but I'm not sure.)
Regarding clutch into OD - I have been told that the best thing do do is to back off the gas a bit rather than using the clutch. You don't wear the clutch disk or throw out bearing, but you relieve the pressure on the grears on the planetary system in the OD. The revs will drop when in OD, so why not get the engine heading in that direction anyway?
By the way, nice car! They're rare, and yours looks to be in great shape.

Jim Weiss
83 245T/M46, 90 744T/M46, 90 760T, 93 945T, want more . . .

Hey Jim,
thanks for the complement. i bought it TWO days ago. Drove it down from iowa to georgia. Its awesome. Its got ipd vx, turbo+, mvp tb, ipd swaybars and some other goodies. Not even a door ding, only think is on the edge of the drivers door and trunk(?!?!, how did THAT happend), there are little paint chips. Went to the yard today and picked up a lower center console and the trim thats above the doors. Now i need to do headliner, and convert to 134a. I'll look on the FAQ to figure out how to adjust the clutch.
btw how do you get all the car info into your signature. I tried to the note but that doesn't display.

thanks guys,
Gene

Here's the bad news - you (probably) have no clutch cable - its a hydraulic system, and according to tha FAQ and previoius posts, self adjusting. The only recommendation has been to replace the fluid and make sure there's no air in the system. I prefer a higher friction point - my 245 is fine, but the 744 is a few inches too low. Takes practice.

Sounds like the PO of your car liked to drive. I'd recommend at least the sub-frame chassis brace (the second best bang for the buck in handling - sway bars are first), and if the price doesn't throw you, the Cherry strut tower brace also from IPD. My 744 has IPD bars, both chassis braces, Boge Turbo gas shocks, lower HD springs front only, a custom 2.5" cat back system, and soon, Turbo+ and short shifter kits, and E-code lights (all waiting in the garage).

Jim Weiss
83 245T/M46, 90 744T/M46, 90 760T (from Atlanta), 93 945T, want more ...

IS there two different fluid for the clutch and the actual transmission?
How can i adjust the point of engagement?

thanks,
Gene

Either the clutch needs adjusting, or they didn't bother to replace the pilot bearing when they did the clutch job.
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-------Robert, '93 940t, '90 240 wagon, '84 240 diesel (she's sick) , '80 245 diesel, '86 740 GLE turbo diesel, '82 Mercedes 300SD for sale