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Stuck Clutch

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by Howard Eisenhauer, Sep 1, 2020.

  1. Sep 1, 2020
    Howard Eisenhauer

    Howard Eisenhauer Administrator Staff Member

    Tantallon, Nova...
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    I've been slowly putting Tonk back together , slowed down radically by some family illness. I finally went to move him yesterday & found that the )@%&#) clutch won't release. Stuck the inspection cam in- everything looks right- release fork is engaging the throwout bearing, I can see the input shaft splines disappearing into the disk. I can feel it when the throwout bearing hits the three levers & theres lots of accompanying springy noises as I depress the pedal further.

    Tried jacking the back end up & running it in gear while slamming the brakes, only got a lot of engine stalls & hot brake smell.

    I did replace the pilot bearing while I had it apart but i did ream the hole to the correct size.

    Next weekend I'll get someone to push the pedal while I look inside with the cam to watch but in the meantime anyone got any bright ideas?
     
    Glenn likes this.
  2. Sep 1, 2020
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
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    Can you depress the pedal all the way down or is there too much resistance?
     
  3. Sep 1, 2020
    Rick Whitson

    Rick Whitson Detroit Area 2024 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    I have seen clutches rust to the pressure plate before that could be what has happened to yours. Could have someone pull you while you hold the clutch in see if it breaks loose? Good luck.
     
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  4. Sep 1, 2020
    Twin2

    Twin2 not him 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Virginia Beach, VA
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    do what I learned here
    warm engine up
    then
    with jeep in gear 1'st or reverse
    nothing in front or back
    hold clutch pedal on floor and hit the starter key
    it might lurch a few times before engine will start
    has worked for me
     
    Rick Whitson likes this.
  5. Sep 1, 2020
    FinoCJ

    FinoCJ 1970 CJ5 Staff Member

    Bozeman, MT
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    another vote for clutch disk stuck to the pressure plate from sitting around.....
     
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  6. Sep 1, 2020
    Howard Eisenhauer

    Howard Eisenhauer Administrator Staff Member

    Tantallon, Nova...
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    All the way. I will mention that although nothing really changed between disassembly & putting the motor back I did find I had to shorten up the cable to get the "supposed" engagement point from the pedal being down by the floor to an inch or so of slack at the top end, that's got me wondering but again everything looks right & I didn't mess much with the finger settings on the clutch itself- two were right on & one was just a hair off.

    It's only been back together for about 6 months & never outside, it can't be rust.
     
    Rick Whitson likes this.
  7. Sep 1, 2020
    47v6

    47v6 junk wrecker! 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    USA
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    It could be condensation that has caused this. Can you access your top bell housing inspection cover? Maybe take it off and see is you can break it free. Otherwise, pull the transmission/transfer case.. On the farm we had a Volvo road tractor that this happened to. Was fine one week, the next clutch wouldn't engage. Has to have it towed to a garage to pry it off and replace... They are not great mechanics to do it themselves.
     
    Twin2 likes this.
  8. Sep 1, 2020
    FinoCJ

    FinoCJ 1970 CJ5 Staff Member

    Bozeman, MT
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    mine did it here in dry Colorado in less than two months sitting inside the garage...
     
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  9. Sep 1, 2020
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
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    Is it possible the disc is stuck on the splines?
     
  10. Sep 1, 2020
    Keys5a

    Keys5a Sponsor

    Florida Keys
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    I'm quite sure the disc is stuck to the flywheel or pressure plate due to humidity. My Triumph has this issue as we speak.
    Standard clutch discs have some "fabric" content that likes to absorb the moisture. Kevlar and metallic discs don't have this issue.
    My usual go-to for un-sticking it is to start and warm up the engine in neutral for 5 minutes or so. Then, I put the car in 1st gear and turn the key starting the engine, keeping my foot holding the clutch pedal to the floor.
    Yes, the car takes off as soon as the engine fires.
    I then drive the car around the neighborhood, clutch pedal on the floor, and shift up a couple gears to 3rd or 4th (out of 5) carefully rev matching the syncros. One in a higher gear (2nd or 3rd for the Jeep) and at at about 25-35 mph, I floor the throttle, then back off as abruptly as I can. I can sometimes even get the rear tires to skid a little on decel. Usually 4 or 5 of these on/off throttle episodes will break the disc free, all this while the clutch pedal is held to the floor.
    Good luck!
    -Donny
     
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  11. Sep 1, 2020
    Howard Eisenhauer

    Howard Eisenhauer Administrator Staff Member

    Tantallon, Nova...
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    Possible, I'm planning it hit it on the weekend with some pb blaster or equivalent.
     
  12. Sep 1, 2020
    Jw60

    Jw60 Sitting up n buckled down. 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    I would think there is a service tool that looks like a chunk of wood that goes between the clutch pedal arm and floor from below. That would allow for visual inspection thru the cover.
     
  13. Sep 1, 2020
    Oldriginal86

    Oldriginal86 Member

    Pasadena, Md.
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    When I worked for a GM dealer, we had a bunch of trucks with manual shift that had the same issue. We drove them around the lot with the clutch depressed throttling up and down until things broke free. I wouldn’t put any petroleum based spray onto a clutch disc.
     
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  14. Sep 1, 2020
    Keys5a

    Keys5a Sponsor

    Florida Keys
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    Trust me, its not the splines that are hanging up. The disc it rusted to the flywheel. You'll be sorry when you get penetrating oil up in there. Your clutch will never be the same. Ask me how I know.
    -Donny
     
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  15. Sep 2, 2020
    dozerjim

    dozerjim Member

    western New York
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    As has been said the disc is stuck to the flywheel....hook it to a tractor and have somebody drag you around while holding the clutch to the floor.....look at old tractors,once in a while you will see one with a hole in the bell housing that someone drilled to put a screw driver in to break it free.....:watch:
     
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  16. Sep 4, 2020
    garage gnome

    garage gnome ECJ5 welder

    Western MA
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    I have gotten clutches to break free by chaining (use a long one!) it to something solid and going as fast as I can in 1st (might want to use low range) with the clutch released. The sudden stop and high RPMs seem to do the trick. Its best to do this on gravel.
     
  17. Sep 5, 2020
    Rick Whitson

    Rick Whitson Detroit Area 2024 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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  18. Sep 5, 2020
    Howard Eisenhauer

    Howard Eisenhauer Administrator Staff Member

    Tantallon, Nova...
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    It's on this weekends to-do list :)
     
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  19. Sep 6, 2020
    Rick Whitson

    Rick Whitson Detroit Area 2024 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    Thanks Howard, it's got me going too, I hope it is that easy for you, just stuck disc. Can you remove your floor and look in the inspection hole and see your clutch, Howard? That way you could watch what is going on in there. Good Luck.
     
    Last edited: Sep 6, 2020
  20. Sep 6, 2020
    jpflat2a

    jpflat2a what's that noise?

    Hermosa, SD
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    Put the front bumper at the frame horn up against something solid.
    Push in the clutch and bump the starter.
    Works every time.
     
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