Firstfives.org

Hello all,
I recently purchased a one owner '79 528i (already have a '79 e21 and a '90 e30). I have wanted an e12 for a long time, so when I saw one fairly close by, I snapped it up. It has apparently sat a lot in the last three years as the PO dealt with some health issues. overall the car is in good shape with almost no rust since it was garaged it's entire life in the South. I am working through some gremlins, but one thing has me stumped. The car goes well in all forward gears and clutch engages at a reasonable place on the throw and no slipping. Changes feel easy and no syncro issues. However, when I attempt to reverse it wants to stall. It goes into reverse easily, but when I come off the clutch it dies. The only way I can get it to go in reverse is to rev it high and modulate the clutch, but it feels very strained and i can smell hot clutch afterwards. I have all the records for the car and it looks like a a new clutch and slave cylinder were installed in 2014. Is this a transmission issue, or drivetrain? Does this sound familiar to anyone? Thanks in advance. Will

P.S. Very thankful to have found this board and grateful for all those that have posted info, faqs, and articles on here throughout the years.

Welcome to the group TNmtnBoy.

I've not heard of that before but brakes not clutch or transmission is what comes to mind. Maybe something came loose in the parking brake system which lives inside the rear rotors.

Thanks Mike,
Is it possible to disconnect the parking brake to check if that's the culprit? Not ever really messed with the parking brake before.

Not if it's inside the rotor/drum. But maybe try jacking it up and trying to rotate the tire backwards.

Finally got it in the air and tried reverse. It turns freely and I can even come of the clutch and it will spin. However, when I put it back in neutral, wheels stop turning almost immediately. Not sure if this is normal, but I'm pretty baffled at the moment. I'm going to have a look at the parking brake setup, but any ideas would be appreciated.

Does the driveshaft look aligned and are the guibo and center support coupling in good condition? Could something be causing the driveshaft to bind in reverse under load? Any transmission or differential noises?