Frozen clutch

E.Latto · Post by **E.Latto** » Fri Jun 18, 2010 9:33 pm

I have been trying to resurrect a car which hasn't been on the road for many years. The clutch invariably sticks to the flywheel when I try to run it periodically. This last time it refused to free itself after the usual things like starting in gear with clutch depressed. Even jacking up a rear wheel and getting it going up to speed in gear and releasing the jack suddenly didn't work. Any suggestions? I can't take it on the road and use any towing solution.

stevieturbo · Post by **stevieturbo** » Sun Jun 20, 2010 5:37 pm

Access friction plate via bellhousing, somehow.

Have someone put their foot on the clutch pedal.

Use a thin screwdriver to price the friction plate of whichever surface it is stuck to. Rotate flywheel as required to achieve this over as much of the diameter as possible.

Yes it is slow and awkward....but a damn sight easier than removing the box.

E.Latto · Post by **E.Latto** » Sat Jun 26, 2010 2:30 pm

Many thanks for your reply. I did wonder about that but from where I was looking, there didn't seem to be much chance of accessing the friction plate to flywheel join. It's such a tiny access hole. (My engine is in a one-off aluminium bodied car which could be complicating things).

stevieturbo · Post by **stevieturbo** » Sat Jun 26, 2010 3:55 pm

E.Latto wrote:Many thanks for your reply. I did wonder about that but from where I was looking, there didn't seem to be much chance of accessing the friction plate to flywheel join. It's such a tiny access hole. (My engine is in a one-off aluminium bodied car which could be complicating things).

Drill a hole in the bellhousing to allow access. A 20mm hole in the right spot should be plenty of room. Or perhaps two holes. One to shine a little light, and one to work through.