Rep Power: 0

Hey all just want to see if there's anyone that can help me with a problem I've been experiencing on my 00 si (109K miles) for the past week. Sorry for the long post, but I try to be as descriptive as possible.

My situation: About a month ago, I had to replace a broken diff. Did it myself as a first timer, but had numerous sources on procedures and triple checked everything to make sure nothing got screwed up. Everything went great, and my car drove just like it did before the diff broke. Last week, I was on my way to work. and noticed that my car was getting harder and harder to downshift into 2nd and 1st when coming to a stop. Eventually, it became impossible to do so until I was at a complete stop for a few seconds.

My symptoms:

1. As mentioned, I cannot downshift into 1st or 2nd until I am at a complete stop for about 3 or 4 seconds. Upshifting is fine (Grinds a little on the 1-2 shift tho).
2. Starting the car in gear does not cause it to lurch forward.
3. When the car is off, I can shift freely between all gears while the clutch is both engaged and disengaged. While the car is running, I can shift freely with the clutch disengaged and I am at a complete stop.
4. Here's the kicker: With the car running, clutch pedal in (disengaged), and in gear, the tranny holds the car in place on a slight incline. Think of it as leaving the car in gear when you turn it off. This also occurs in reverse.
5. No noise from my throwout bearing UNLESS I am accelerating. Then there is a faint "clunk" when I press the clutch pedal to upshift.

What I have done so far:

1. Bled and flushed the hydraulic system. Also checked for leaks in the lines and the master cylinder.
2. Checked pedal height and freeplay.
3. Watched the clutch fork as someone pushed in the clutch. I didn't get an exact measurement, but it moves approximately 1 inch.

So that's about where I am now. My best guess either the slave cylinder is going bad, my throwout bearing is bad, or something is wrong with my clutch. Any help anyone could give would be much obliged.

 
Rep Power: 244

Sounds like you have tried all the logical things to this point.

Sounds like a broken spring in the clutch disc is the culprit. This will limit the travel of the fork and will not let the clutch fully disengage. While replacing the clutch a new fork wouldn't be a bad idea (could have bent the fork while attempting to shift).

Good luck, let us know what happens!