The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline Clutch suddenly inoperative

Clutch doesn't seem to disengage. Cannot put truck into
gear with engine running as grinding noise starts.
Clutch was replaced about 10k ago. Truck has been
sitting for some time. Recently pressure washed engine compartment and transmission area. Could it have something to do with accidentally getting water in
clutch mechanism area? Is there a relatively simple cure?

The clutch disc could be stuck to the pressure plate. Take off the lower pan and have someone push in the clutch pedal. With it not running try to insert a putty knife between the clutch and pressure plate and/or flywheel. You may need to turn the engine over to try several points. There are a couple of other methods that are kind of risky - one is to put it in gear and start the vehicle - it will take off so you need lots of room to experiment so you don't hit something. The other is to put it in gear and push start the vehicle which could also break it loose.
Fred

Tried the risky method. Started it in gear and drove it about the ranch for a bit. Stopped it with the brakes.
Engine stopped too. Still frozen. Never happened before.

Did you push the clutch in when you stopped? Try getting it running about 30 MPH, push the clutch pedal in, and nail the brakes hard, repeatedly. Sometimes it takes a big jolt to break the disc loose from the flywheel if it's rusted tight.
Jerry

I have had this happen a few times.
Jack up one rear wheel. Start engine. Rev it up a little bit. Push in clutch. Slam on brakes.

She'll come free.

Kurt

Thanks for the advice.. I'll give it a go tomorrow. Somewhat reassuring knowing this is not an unknown issue.
Sure funny as the clutch was working great two weeks ago.

Be sure to chock your wheels, keep dogs and small children away, etc etc.

Good luck!

Kurt

Whelp, chocked the wheels, and put a floor jack under the left rear axle area.
Started it and with the hand throttle pulled out and revving at approx. 2500 rpm's, and with the clutch pushed in, I slammed on the brakes hard, many times.
Engine slowed down to almost a stall,each time. Took my foot off the brakes, let the rpm's climb again and then slammed on the brakes hard again, many times.
I got the smell of hot brake lining, but unfortunately the clutch did not break free.
I wonder if there are any other suggestions, or if it will need to come apart?

Mike

best to take a look at what happened rather than guess - no one here can tell you how to fix it when no one including you knows what's wrong .... take off the bottom cover and watch while someone works the pedal, there are a number of things that could have broke the last time you used it

Bill

Is it a hydraulic clutch?

I like this guess...

Also, it would be great to pull the inspection cover to see what's happening. Easy and might show something.

I don't think I ever had to slam it more than once to get it to break free. I agree with Bill that you should take the cover off and look at it while someone works the pedal for ya. Maybe you have a problem with the pivot/ball or clutch fork.

Take pictures and post what you find.

Kurt

It's a manual clutch. I'll get under it this afternoon and see
about removing a cover then have someone step on the clutch.
Good advice. Thank you.

Mike

I have the same problem right now with my 54 gmc so if you find something that works let me know

54gmcuck

Be happy to. Got sidetracked and now looks like it
might rain tomorrow. But soon.
Like Kurt suggested;
"Take pictures and post what you find."

I will post what I find.

Mike

Hey , I got mine to work . First I checked the clutch pedal linkage made sure everything was right. Put the truck in gear pushed the clutch in and pressed the starter button. I was on a slight hill the truck lunges forward. And it broke free the engine started. Good luck hope it works for you. P.s. I started it in second

I removed the inspection cover and using a flashlight
peered up inside while someone sat in the cab and
slowly pushed the clutch in and out. I see the shaft
moving in and out, but the clutch does not.
I tried to get some pictures but using the flash on the
digital produced photos that don't show much.
Might the transmission need to come out?

Mike

Sounds like your pressure plate may have partially collapsed?????

Maybe the pressure plate? The clutch worked one day and
a week later it didn't. The only thing I did in between
was to pressure wash the engine and transmission area
under the hood. Tidying it up to get it back on the road.

There is no unusual noise and the inspection cover showed
no signs of metal or broken parts inside.

Mike

Not uncommon to have a finger (or fingers) collapse. Makes me think that because it was so sudden!!!!

I'm not giving up, but it may take a bit. I'll post the
"What the heck happened?" results when I get them
figured out.....

Mike

It was necessary to have a shop partially pull the transmission to free up the clutch.
Also flushed it with lots of water. Working fine again now.

Mike