Clutch Pedal Will not Release

[John Walters]

I was driving this AM and depressed clutch; it stayed down and would not come back. It can be pulled back up manually, but pressing it again and it doesn't come back. It is in neutral, and obviously can't change gears. Has anyone had this problem?

 

[Jim Brierley]

Sounds like an internal problem with the clutch, which means it will have to come out and inspected.

 

[Joop]

Sounds your Clutch Adjusting Arm Yoke or Release Shaft Arm is broken.

Check it out

 

[2manycars]

My brother had that happen, and it was the lever that is pinned to the release shaft, on the outside of the bell housing. They tend to crack and break where the retaining pin attaches. Climb under and have a look at the arm, it is probably broken.

 

[Clem Clement]

Bratton sells repro arms.

 

[John Walters]

I did not see anything broken, but did notice a large spring that looked out of place, in the area of the clutch pedal just under the floorboard. Could this be part of the clutch components that somehow got out of place?

 

[2manycars]

It is possible that the original spring which is attached to the throwout bearing inside the bell housing is gone, and someone fitted an external spring to compensate. Take off the inspection cover on top of the bell housing and look inside to see if the spring is in place, and work the linkage to see that everything is connected.

 

[Tom Wesenberg]

The clutch fingers should push the pedal almost all the way back even if the small return spring connected to the throw out bearing is broken. I'd check for a sheared pin on the arm that is mounted on the end of the shaft. If not that pin, then check the pin inside the clutch housing for the clutch release arm.