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General Tech Pressure Plate Stuck?

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R

RonR

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In addition to my TR3A, I have a 1959 Austin-Healey. I went to drive it last week. I headed up the driveway, and while waiting for the garage door to shut, the engine died. I restarted it, put it in gear, let the clutch out, and it would not move. I can shift it into any gear with the engine running and the clutch in, but when I release the clutch, nothing.

I have never heard of a pressure plate locking up. I have 20,000 miles on both the pressure plate and clutch.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.
Ron
 
Do you mean the engine keeps running and doesn't move the car, or it kills the engine?

If it keeps running, it's most likely either a front U-joint failure, or a clutch friction plate. I'm not sure about an AH in particular, but with most clutches the friction surface attaches to a thin spring steel piece (or several of them) that in turn are riveted to the hub. Either the rivets or the steel can break; or the friction surface can tear loose.
 
Engine keeps running with clutch pedal out.

Seems like if it was a u-joint, there would be a lot of noise with the clutch engaged.
 
Depends on how badly it's broken. If the driveshaft is laying off to the side somewhere, the broken yoke will spin absolutely silently.

One of my most memorable moments was a full size Dodge van; broke both yokes simultaneously and the driveshaft went rolling off through the intersection ... on my Oldsmobile the driveshaft just fell down and gouged the pavement.
 
As mentioned in A/H forum, check flex hose first. A blocked hose will exhibit same issues. Try again after car has sat for a while and hose leaks back.
Marv
 
The little clutch on a Sprite can wear put in 20,000 miles, and will just let go with little or no warning, being hydraulic and self adjusting. But I think the big cars clutch would normally last longer than that. Once again, I don't think big Healeys are prone to this, but a broken axle will also exhibit the same characteristics.
 
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