Clutch Plate will not release

Tinbasher

Tinbasher

Well-known member
Hi Guys: My Clutch plate is stuck from the car sitting. Any great ideas on getting it to free up, as I can't push the clutch pedal to get it to release. Everything seems to be stuck.

The Old Tinbasher
 
Get it started in first gear and run it into a tree with your foot on the clutch, something will break loose. Just kidding! Chock the front wheels and jack up the back and use good stands. Start it up in gear and use engine and brakes while the pedal is depressed to simulate running into a tree.
 
If you can start the car with the clutch pedal in, in neutral, warm it up while holding in the clutch pedal then shut it off. Put the car in gear, apply park brake, hold foot brake and push in clutch pedal. Turn key several times, this may break disc loose and engine will start. If the car has been standing several years, this may not work and you will have to take it apart to free up the disc. Disc is probably rusted to pressure plate and flywheel. Good luck! Bob
 
Tinbasher said:
Hi Guys: My Clutch plate is stuck from the car sitting. Any great ideas on getting it to free up, as I can't push the clutch pedal to get it to release. Everything seems to be stuck.

The Old Tinbasher
Click to expand...

Do you mean the pedal won't even push down?
If so, you will need some heat and Kroil.
How long since the clutch was used?
 
You can't move the pedal at all ? Can't feel the free-play ? If so, maybe forcing grease thru the shaft fitting will help. If not, then like Tom said, heat and penetrating oil.
If the pedal still has its free-play, then remove the cover and see if the release bearing will move. If not, pry it loose and very lightly oil the shaft.
The pressure plate fingers shouldn't be frozen, but, let us know if they are.
The plate could be frozen, but, if it were, everything else would probably be working.
 
It is not uncommon for a clutch disc, if the A has set for some time during cold weather, to draw moisture and rust to the flywheel. Some years ago one of our members had this occur. We towed his A , in 2 gear, for about 1/2 block and it broke loose. This did not create any problems and we did not have to run the engine.
From then on, he kept his A in the garage where it would not draw moisture.

Ron
 
Thanks for the Info Guys. Yes the cars been sitting for about 2 years. And the pedal and everything is stuck. I'll try some of the cures once the 3 feet of snow and -20 deg.s gone!!!!

Thanks again: John P.
 
If BOTH sides of the clutch disc are stuck, would it not keep everything locked in place? I went through stuck clutch problem recently...none of the usual "tricks" for unsticking it worked. I had to pull the engine. My clutch disc was stuck to the pressure plate side.
 
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