Clutch Went Out This Morning

75 cj5, 3 speed. Let the clutch out and heard/felt a soft clunk…voila, no clutch. The linkage seems to be working. With the engine running and not working the clutch pedal, i can put it into 1st, 2nd, and 3rd with no reaction. In reverse, it feels like it engages with very quiet, mild “grinding”, but, still no movement. Any thoughts? I am by no stretch a mechanic, so as simple as possible, please

 

If it was working ok previously, I suspect the problem is still someplace in the linkage. Fork pivot? Can you pull the boot and have someone actuate the clutch while you watch?

 

The fork appears to be working, well, at least, it moves a few inches

 

See if the clutch fingers move. It sounds like the throwout bearing is not releasing but how that is possible is a mystery.

 

Before i look, curious as to approximately how much travel there should be where the fork connects to the linkage

 

Does the clutch still feel normal? It's possible the transfercase popped into neutral.

 

Unbelievable. That was it!!! You sir, are owed, one each, beer. How would this have happened ?

 

Thank God for the easy fixes. !

 

I was going to say put it in four wheel drive. Did not sound like a clutch problem.

 

That would have worked as well. I wonder how it popped out in the first place

 

Fireball yet again for the WIN!. That scenario happens when you put the 6-pack close to the shifter and hit the brakes

Seriously though, had that same thing happen and it was the grandson getting in back seat and misplaced footing knocked it into neutral.

 

Worn detents? Wasn't shifted all the way into gear last time? Someone kicked it? Could be lots of reasons. If it's worn detents or worn linkage that isn't allowing it to get all the way into gear, you'll find out when it happens again.