Clutch Sticking Problem

[Ray Smith]

What is the best procedure for "unsticking" a clutch disc that appears to be stuck to the fly wheel? The car has been setting for months.

Ray

 

[startech47]

Ray,

Read this thread. Unsticking instructions included on page 2.

https://www.britishcarforum.com/bcforum/u...true#Post229585

Phil

 

[nevets]

I had this annoying problem twice with a Lotus Elan I used to own, and here's how I unstuck it...I push started the car (it may be possible to use the starter motor if the battery is strong) and with the car going fairly fast, I simultaniously depressed the clutch and hit the brake with my left foot, while at the same time punching the gas with my right foot. It took a number of tries, but the clutch finally broke loose (with a loud shutter). The first time my clutch froze up, as soon as I unstuck it I parked the car and a week later it was frozen again. For that reason I recommend driving the car for a while, shifting often, and feathering the clutch. This will help burnish off residual surface rust from the flywheel, and hopefully prevent it from refreezing. There are other methods, such as jacking up the back of the car and essentially doing the same thing with the combo brake/gas, but I wasn't brave enough to try that. Good luck and drive your car often.

 

[dklawson]

My method is similar to that used by Nevets. I start the car in neutral and warm up the engine so re-starts will be easy. I place the car in first gear and start the car (driving away immediately) taking it to a location where I can drive slightly up hill. After stopping the engine I select second gear, depress the clutch pedal and crank the car on the starter until the engine starts. While holding the clutch pedal down I floor the car going up hill. Every time I have resorted to this I have been able to break the clutch free very quickly. You'll know when it happens... there will be a big bang followed by a free-reving engine telling you to back off the throttle.

On my old VW the mechanical clutch allowed me to use a block of wood to hold the clutch pedal down to the floor while the car was in storage. This prevented the plate from sticking to the flywheel. On cars with hydraulic clutches I guess a similar method could be used to put a wooden wedge in place to hold the throw-out arm in place once the pedal is depressed.

 

[Ray Smith]

Thanks for the input. Will post results as they become available. I definitley need to do more driving and less sitting.

Ray