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Clutch plate stuck to flywheel

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R

RonR

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[<span style="font-size: 11pt">font:Arial]Folks,

A fellow club member had his TR4 engine rebuilt a few years ago and the engine and transmission have set mated for some time. We have just now installed the engine in the car and it runs great. The only problem is that the clutch plate seems to be stuck to the flywheel, I assume from having sat for so long. I have never heard of this. What are the possible solutions other than removing the transmission?

Thanks.
Ron[/font</span>]
 
Some may cringe but if it were my car I'd warm the car up, get it pointed in a direction with plenty of room in front of me, start it in gear and then drive it with the clutch depressed. It should break free pretty quick. If it doesn't or you need to stop, kick it out of gear, shut it down and start over. This all assumes that there is nothing wrong other than the clutch plate is stuck.
 
On mine I had to jack up the rear and have the engine revved with the gearbox in first, then my wife abruptly lowered the jack.

As with the other method, some open space in front and be double darn sure you have a forward gear selected.
 
Yup. Not uncommon. INSURE the clutch slave is pushing the arm fully, then start it and warm up to operating temp in neutral. Shut it down, aim it at a well known open area and engage second gear, push it to start it with the iggy on... then with the clutch pedal on the board (fully depressed) CRAM the binders on. Brutal but effective.
 
A less agressive move to try first is to simply put it in 4th gear with the handbrake on, push the clutch and pop the starter a time or two. If that doesn't work, you can move on to the high rev stuff!

John
 
cheseroo said:
Some may cringe but
Click to expand...

No cringe here. I had a VW that routinely had this happen and I always broke the clutch free the way you describe. It always worked.
 
A long ride strapped down on a trailer with the car in gear will take care of it. The constant back and forth caused by braking and accelerating will slowly work it free.
 
No need for "high rev stuff". If the clutch pedal is depressed (and operating correctly) and the car is rolling, the momentum of a 20 MPH car under hard breaking will free the rusty plate's hold on the driven plate. Makes an amazing "BANG!" when it lets go, too.


Todd said:
A long ride strapped down on a trailer with the car in gear will take care of it. The constant back and forth caused by braking and accelerating will slowly work it free.
Click to expand...

Not if the clutch remains in the engaged position.
 
DrEntropy said:
If the clutch pedal is depressed (and operating correctly) and the car is rolling, the momentum of a 20 MPH car under hard breaking will free the rusty plate's hold on the driven plate.
Click to expand...


I'm getting a bit old to push a car that fast anymore!
 
:lol:

As are we all, methinks.

Push it in second to get it STARTED, silly! :jester:
 
I skip that step. I put the car on level ground after the engine has warmed up in neutral, put the car in 2nd gear and use the starter. On level ground with a warm engine it typically starts the engine without any pushing.
 
Any time this has happened with my personal cars, Horsemits got to push. Ukranian woman. Strong like OX! :wink: :jester:
 
Another solution, which has always worked for me, is to just put it in gear (1st or reverse depending on which way is clear), depress the clutch pedal, and start the engine. The car will lurch a bit as the engine cranks & starts, but not too badly, and then you can just drive around until the clutch frees up. If you need to change directions, just turn the key off, let the car lurch to a stop, change gears, and repeat. The engine vibration will work the clutch loose.

Last time it happened to me, the clutch freed up before I got to the end of the driveway (just a few feet).

Some liberal had a long talk with Horsemits, and now she's more likely to push me than the car!
 
I've done what Randall says but with one foot on the brake and the other depressing the clutch. Hit the starter a few times and it's always broken loose for me. I do it in reverse. If it doesn't work then go to the more extreme measures suggested.
 
DrEntropy said:
Any time this has happened with my personal cars, Horsemits got to push. Ukranian woman. Strong like OX! :wink: :jester:
Click to expand...


Work in field next day. :laugh:
 
Ron??!?

Did ya get it released?
 
Always had my brother tow me behind his truck, whilst I pushed the clutch in and out. Last time the bang was very loud when the two plates came apart. next time I will try some of the other suggestions.
 
jimstr4 said:
Always had my brother tow me behind his truck, whilst I pushed the clutch in and out. Last time the bang was very loud when the two plates came apart. next time I will try some of the other suggestions.
Click to expand...

WOW!!

Welcome in, first.

Second, let th' weight of th' vehicle do the work.
 
Folks,

We went with the rear axel on jack stands and the clutch released within a few seconds.
Thanks for all the suggestions.
Ron
 
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