I can't get my car into gear.

the spring that you mention .I take it as the pressure or diaphragm spring that presses the pressure plate onto the clutch plate to jam it on the flywheel
It is a spring plate with numerous fingers running against the throw out bearing
They seldom break and for you to have such problems indicates that the clutch action release is excessive thereby bending the spring plate inside out
That can be from the throw out arm in the wrong place and making excessive travel or incorrect slave cylinder position pushing the arm too far out
for this type of pressure plate, the clutch action at the pressure plate requires a movement of around 1/4 " of the pressure plate to release the clutch plate for gear selection
I suspect that your movement will be exceeding 3/4" thereby over loading the spring action
That is the area I would be investigating
Maybe the kit you have installed is not compatible with the system

trybleeding cylinder if that don't work pressure plate or throw out bering

if you can put it into gear release the clutch , no movement its more than likely the clutch assembly broken spring in the pressure plate , have you tried all gears also reverse if it goes into all gears no movement or if the sound get worse or goes away in different gear then I would say input shaft bearing , my bet is clutch assembly

It sounds like either the clutch plate or pressure plate. Can you move the car in gear without too much trouble? Some resistance, but can be done! Then you will need to replace the clutch and pressure plates.

It is most likely suspects.

Hi, I think the noise you were getting while changing gear is most likely to be the clutch release
bearing ( as you press the clutch down the release bearing contacts the clutch pressure plate
fingers ).
The whinning noise is the bearing seizing up,
Unfortunately it looks like yours has damaged the fingers of the pressure plate so the clutch is not disengaging to allow you to select a gear.
A clutch kit will need to be fitted this contains clutch plate, pressure plate, release beaing
I hope this dos`nt turn out to be to expensive for you
John ( South Wales UK )

Do you have pressure from the clutch assemble,or clutch pedal. if you do then the problem is the installation of the clutch,we know trans axle is good because you can put it in gear with the engine off the problem will be a clutch plate assemble. and the slide bearing release fork, the clutch pressure plate are the connecting link between the engine and trans axle,when you release the clutch the disk and plate joins the engine and trans axle togeter.when the car is runing the transaxle synchronizer will not let you go in gear. but when engine is off the pressure plate is non operational and the T.O bearing . Your fix is a Prssure Plate. (your basically slipping)

SECTION 308-00: Manual Transmission/Transaxle and Clutch - General Information 1998 Contour/Mystique Workshop Manual DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION Manual Transaxle and Clutch Manual Transaxle and Clutch - General Information This section covers general procedures for diagnosis and testing the clutch system. For additional information, refer to Section 308-01 . For specified clutch system service procedures. For additional information, refer to Section 308-02 . For a complete description of the manual transaxle. For additional information, refer to Section 308-03 .
The clutch system includes:

• Flywheel.
• Clutch disc.
• Clutch pressure plate.
• Clutch master cylinder.
• Clutch slave cylinder.
• Clutch release fork.
• Clutch release hub and bearing.

The clutch master cylinder transmits fluid pressure to the slave cylinder, which in turn moves the clutch release fork and the clutch release hub and bearing.
The clutch master cylinder uses brake fluid and shares a common reservoir with the brake master cylinder
The clutch is a single plate, dry-friction disc with a diaphragm-style spring clutch pressure plate. The clutch disc has a hub which is splined to the input shaft. The clutch disc has friction material where it contacts the flywheel and the clutch pressure plate. Torsion springs on the clutch disc help absorb the engine torque pulses. The clutch pressure plate applies pressure to the clutch disc, holding it tightly against the surface of the flywheel.
In the engaged position, the diaphragm spring holds the clutch pressure plate against the clutch disc, so that engine torque is transmitted to the input shaft. When the clutch pedal is depressed, the clutch release hub and bearing pushes the diaphragm spring center toward the flywheel. The diaphragm spring pivots at the fulcrum, relieving the load on the clutch pressure plate. Steel spring straps riveted to the clutch pressure plate cover pull the clutch pressure plate from the clutch disc, disengaging the engine torque from the transaxle and enabling the gears to be changed.
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Inspection and Verification - MTX-75
The following checks should be carried out before repairing or replacing the transaxle:
Poor gear shifting

1. Check the operation of the clutch: Lay a block of wood approx. 25 mm thick under the clutch pedal and depress the clutch pedal as far as the stop. If 1st or 2nd gear can be selected with no problem with the engine running and the parking brake applied, the clutch is OK. If the gear cannot be selected, repair the clutch.

1. Check the selector mechanism:
   • The free play in the gearshift lever must be no more than 15 mm.
     • If the gearshift lever free play is too great, check the gearshift cables and replace them if necessary.
   • If the gearshift lever free play is OK, adjust the gearshift linkage. For additional information, refer to Section 308-06 .

1. Check the transaxle fluid level and top up with Automatic Transmission Fluid ESD-M2C186-A if necessary.

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It seems like the clutch pressure plate has gone, not releasing the clutch plate once the pedal is operated.
The noise you hear, is it a screeching one or is it like the gears rubbing eachother.
If its a screeching noise thn its the release bearing and if its a heavier grinding noise thn its the gears.
Guess you will have to replace the clutch pressure plate, its highly recomended though to replace the pro-kit,i.e the clutch plate, pressure plate and the release bearing.
Good luck.

I guess the clutch system must be a hydraulic one, check the clutch master cylinder and slave cylinder if they are functioning.
If they are thn theres a problem with the clutch pressure plate, if thts so , you will have to drop the gear box to replace it and its adviseable to replac e the pro-kit...consisting of Clutch pressure plate, clutch plate and release bearing.

To reduce clutch disc/plate problems, avoid riding the clutch whilst driving, ie having ur foot on the clutch pedal when the engine is in operation, especially wqhen the vehicle is in motion. You see the clutch disc is sandwiched between the flywheel of the engine & the pressure plate. When the driver presses the clutch pedal, the sandwiching of the clutch plate is released, so therefore no drive is being transmitted from the engine to the road wheels. This gives an effect as if the vehicle is in neutral (engine can be revved, with no movement or propulsion of the vehicle). When the driver releases the clutch pedal, the clutch disc is now sandwiched tightly causing the drive to be transmitted to the road wheels which will now cause the vehicle to be propelled.

Clutch discs are only replaced when there are problemes with clutching in and changing gears. After constant pressing of the clutch, the asbestos material on the clutch disc after a period grinds down (clutch disc becomes thinner), which in turn will reduce friction characteristics when all the elements are sandwiched. This causes a slipping effect, preventing the drive from being transmitted to the road wheels efficiently. This causes other problems such as high fuel consumption, erratic engaging of gears, hard selecttion of gears, heavy vibration of the vehicle, stalling; just to name a few. In most cases an unusual smell of the clutch disc is observed.

Also just by resting ur foot on the clutch pedal while engine is running can be dmagaing too. You see the clutch release bearing rests on the pressure plate, so when the clutch pedal is pressed by the driver, there is a degree of friction being placed on the bearing because the pressure plate is always rotating with the engine. The clutch release bearing is stationery until the clutch pedal is pressed by the driver, which sends it into the moving pressure plate, so less pressing on the clutch pedal the less friction between the bearing and the pressure plate. Only operate/press/place foot on the clutch when necessary