Transmission / clutch failure

[Roosell]

Has anyone experienced something similar to this? Any mechanics who will offer their opinion?

I have a 2003 986 with 60,000 miles. I’ve had no problems with the clutch or shifting the 5 speed manual since buying the car 6,000 miles ago. Recently I was cruising in traffic at about 35 MPH. When I lifted off the throttle, I heard and felt a clunk that was not present before. For the next two miles of city driving I listened to something clunk each time I opened or closed the throttle. I stopped and completed an errand, and when I returned I noticed the shifter didn’t want to go into first gear. Second and third felt the same, but first took significantly more effort than usual. I knew I had a problem so I tried to tip-toe home. I noticed that even as I slowed for stop signs with the clutch in, the shifter resisted first. Usually I would expect the speed of the car to ‘sync’ with the engine, which should let first gear ‘fall in’. The two times I tried that it didn’t work. The transmission didn’t want first at all. I started leaving the transmission in second, and rolling through stop signs.

On the final 2 miles home, I was on a highway. As I reached 55, I shifted into fifth gear. As soon as I let the clutch out it made a horrible medium-pitch grinding noise, and at that point I lost all forward locomotion. I coasted to a stop and found that no gear (including reverse) would move the car. I could put the transmission into a gear, but upon releasing the clutch there would be a significant grinding / whining sound. The entire event- from everything is wonderful, to first clunk and finally stranded on the shoulder- took about 6 miles.

I am a little concerned with the diagnosis from the local shop. They ‘think’ it is a clutch / throwout bearing / pressure plate issue. Could this be the clutch assembly?

Thanks in advance!