e36 Clutch problems - release point

[hahaohwell]

hey guys i have a 96 328is.
the release point for my clutch has always been a little past halfway (where it should be). but a couple days ago it changed to only about a 1/4 way...

so i only press the clutch pedal down a 1/4 way to change gears... i know this will only get worse to the point where i cant properly ease into gears.

does anyone know what could have caused this or how to fix it?

i have a new clutch and flywheel on her with only 15000km on them
about 2 months ago i got a full brake fluid flush and rebleed, could this have had an impact since this is also the clutch fluid?

i do not beat this car up i drive it nice and as far as im concerned im pretty good at driving standard.

this happened once before and so i replaced the clutch, to find the old clutch disc still had 50% to it...
so now im stumpped.
any ideas will help
thanks

[David Mc]

The clutch hydraulic circuit is very simple, either it had air in it or you have a failing master or slave cylinder (if one fails you are better off repairing/replacing both as they suffer identical wear). If they are leaking, you initially get a full stroke as you push the clutch in, but fluid rapidly bleeds past the leaking seals, causing the clutch to begin releasing by itself. Unless you have xray vision, from the drivers seat it feels like the clutch release point requires less pedal travel - this is not the case. Even though you may be able to change gear without pushing the clutch right in, do not do it as it will be at the expense of premature clutch wear and possible transmission damage. Leaking seals are often only internal, so you may not see external fluid leaks. By the way, this is not a theoretical explanation, I learned the hard way several years ago.