Alright, i think my clutch has hit the dust but i want to check with you guys since i am new to the manual max. My car was driving pretty good the past few days since i bought it...
I now have to push pretty hard to get into first gear with clutch fully depressed, and 3rd and 4th gear are pretty tough sometimes too (I really use arm strength to pop it in, but no grinding). The 1-2 shift is smooth and sometimes the 2-3, 3-4, and 4-5 are fine but then they just require force occasionally.
That isn't the part that worries me however, but shifting into reverse is nearly impossible. I can't get it to go into reverse without some grinding, and i have the clutch pedal to the floor. It will go into reverse, but it is scaring me and i don't want to ruin the tranny because that grinding just doesnt sound good.
To me it sounds like I need a new clutch, but anybody else's advice would help. And if so, is there a write up on clutch replacement and what clutches would you reccommend? Thanks for any advice.

 

since the clutch is not slipping i would check the hydlic system first aka master and slave cylinders for leaking and make sure your clutch fluid level is full

if the fliud is low add fluid and bleed the system but that will proboly only be a teparary fix because the fluid is obviously leaking somwhere best bet would be to replace both the master and slaves at the same time there about 50$ in parts and that would solve the leak

if the fluid level is fine theres a good chance its a worn presure plate so you would just replace the clutch