2001 Elantra extremely hard clutch after replacement.

Hi Everyone it has been a while. I could really use some help with my wife’s car. We bought it in January and she has driven it 70 miles per day back and forth to work. It had a few issues and I wanted to make sure it was reliable for her so decided to do some overdue maintenance on it.

I pulled the engine and trans together, and did the following. Replaced clutch, pressure plate, throw out bearing, and flywheel (Pedal let out extremely high and was hard to feel). I also replaced at the same time the timing belt (142k and no record of change) water pump, all drive belts ( had an annoying squeal at start up) Maf sensor (had a code for low input voltage verified voltage was correct and replaced sensor).

This is my first clutch replacement in over 10 years. I lined everything up and torqued to spec. I now have an extremely hard clutch pedal 1 inch of play then rock solid. I am completely stumped. I have done the following to attempt to figure this out.

Bled the system

Unbolt slave cylinder from clutch fork (actually just a pin).

I can move the slave cylinder by hand. I can move the clutch fork freely by hand.

If I push the slave cylinder all the way in by hand the pedal sinks to the floor and I can start the car, HOWEVER if you let off the extremely soft clutch it immediately gets rock hard again.

Pushing the slave cylinder makes no difference in pedal travel.

I did not unbolt or unhook any hydraulic lines when doing the replacement.

I can move the car freely in any gear with the engine off.

I am able to manually push the slave cylinder in to run the car however if I push the brake pedal the car immediately dies. The brake pedal feels firm.

Please help thank you all so much.