Clutch, problems engaging, HELP!

[branden]

I hope you guys can help me with my problem...

I bought a '96 TI with 90,000 miles about a month ago. About 500 miles later the clutch came apart. I ordered a new sachs/valeo clutch kit off of ebay and put it in, with much frustration -- most problems were with a wrong size pilot bearing that was given in the clutch kit. However I got a new bearing from my local auto store and assembled everything and lowered the car.

While the car isn't running the clutch will go through all the gears with ease. However, when I turned the car on and pushed the clutch to the floor I hear a loud whiiring sound. I noticed that the sound only happens when the clutch is about a half inch within the floor so I adjusted the clutch stop up.

Adjusting the clutch stop brought another problem. It became nearly impossible to shift into first, and sometimes second. However once I get the car going by pushing the lever (very hard) it shifts up fine. I found that if I take the stop off and push the pedal to the floor and shift while it is "whirring" I can get into first significantly easier, but I never had to push the clutch so far down before.

The problem isn't in the transmission or the linkage since I can shift the car fine without it running.

I also noticed that if I run the car up to fifth gear and downshift it will usually just slide right into first. hmmm??

Thanks for helping,
Branden
(1996 318TI M-Sport)