Help my Spitfire 1500 clutch is stuck...
Posted By : Nigel Gibbins, 28-Jul-2005, 09:42am
You should normally be able to change gear when the engine isn't running... and clutches usually sieze in the 'off' position (e.g. in drive). There are
two things that may have happened...
If the pedal is hard and not travelling then it is likely that the clutch slave or master cylinder may have stuck... the master is easy to free, just keep pressing the pedal... the slave is a little more difficult as you'll have to remoive it and free the piston manually... I used a lump hammer and a bar against the piston.. once it moves you should push and pull it to get it completely free. You'll then need to change the fluid and clean the system out.
If the pedal moves freely then it is likely that clutch plate has stuck to the flywheel... there are many home remedies for this some of which are dangerous... try starting the car in gear with the clutch fully depressed, but don't be facing a wall as you may move forward (forward gear). If the car starts and you start moving you should keep the clutch pressed as it may free itself with a bang! Other solutions, which I won't recommend, are to start the car on a jack (in first gear) and press the clutch down while a brave friend drops the jack... the shock of sudden drive is supposed to free the clutch...! It does work but has it's dangers...
If the pedal is hard and not travelling then it is likely that the clutch slave or master cylinder may have stuck... the master is easy to free, just keep pressing the pedal... the slave is a little more difficult as you'll have to remoive it and free the piston manually... I used a lump hammer and a bar against the piston.. once it moves you should push and pull it to get it completely free. You'll then need to change the fluid and clean the system out.
If the pedal moves freely then it is likely that clutch plate has stuck to the flywheel... there are many home remedies for this some of which are dangerous... try starting the car in gear with the clutch fully depressed, but don't be facing a wall as you may move forward (forward gear). If the car starts and you start moving you should keep the clutch pressed as it may free itself with a bang! Other solutions, which I won't recommend, are to start the car on a jack (in first gear) and press the clutch down while a brave friend drops the jack... the shock of sudden drive is supposed to free the clutch...! It does work but has it's dangers...
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Help my Spitfire 1500 clutch is stuck...
Posted By : Chris Taylor, 28-Jul-2005, 06:03pm
I'm not quite sure exactly what you are describing. If the clutch is seized with the pedal down, then you should have no drive at all! That is only likely to happen if you have stored the car with the clutch pedal wedged down (which prevents the clutch plate sticking to the flywheel). If that is what's happened, the system will be under considerable hydraulic pressure, so CAREFULLY remove the rubber seal over the end of the master cylinder (where the pushrod enters) and apply a metal rod up the bore till it touches the piston. Then, tap the rod with a hammer. Be prepared to find the rod bounce back violently as the piston unsticks, so don't hold the end of the rod, hold it in the middle, and keep the hammer clear. If that doesn't free it, either the slave cylinder is seized or the master cylinder is more than seized. I suggest you carefully slacken off one of the hyraulic pipe connections at either master or slave cylinder end, (depending on where you want the fluid to squirting everywhere!) to release the pressure. then remove the cylinders and free off the stuck piston on the bench or replace if that doesn't work.
The more usual problem is that the clutch will not free when the pedal is depressed as the driven plate has stuck to the flywheel or cover plate. In the end you may need to removethe gearbox and unbolt the clutch from the flywheel. However the other more violent techniques referred to DO work if you have the courage or patience!
My preferred method is to secure both rear wheels on axle stands. The car MUST be SECURE! Chock the front wheels as well. Then start the car in gear, preferably in 4th gear and pump the clutch pedal. If you are lucky this may then free. However you will usually need stage 2! Start in 4th gear and bring the speed on the speedo up to about 40 mph, depress the clutch pedal and slam on the brakes as hard as you can. Either the engine will stall or the clutch will free. If the engine stalls, keep trying, possibly at a slightly higher speed. Only use 4th gear if you can as that keeps stresses on the gearbox to a minimum, but sadly the diff will get a battering whatever you do! Although you may feel safer with the rear wheels off the car, in that if the car does fall off the axle stands, at least the turning wheels will not propel you forward, it does help the process if the wheels ARE on the rear as the extra inertia helps to apply more of a shock to the clutch plate.-
Help my Spitfire 1500 clutch is stuck...
Posted By : Philip Brammer, 28-Jul-2005, 09:31pm
My final solution is my favourite! Borrow a friend and his 4x4 or other large vehicle. Attach it to the front of your car with a long and strong tow rope. Place you car in 2nd gear and keeping your foot on the clutch (ignition off but steering lock obviously out!) ask said friend to pull you along the road. Hopefully the clutch will free itself off with a loud bang and you can then flash your headlights to ask your friend to stop. Its great fun especially if the clutch plays hard to get and locks the rear wheels for the first few yards!-
Help my Spitfire 1500 clutch is stuck...
Posted By : John Davies, 28-Jul-2005, 11:24pm
Don't try this with a BMW.
Story on 'Honest John' in the Motoring Telegraph about an owner who tried this, using his BMW as the tow car, and the screw-in "tow loop" on the front of the crippled, modern car. Lots of modern cars have these. They are NOT for towing, but for holding the car down on a car transporter. The loop pulled out of the bumper and, powered by the stretched tow rope, twanged back over the BMW and into its bonnet. Result several thousand pounds of damage to the bonnet, roof, windscreen and rear window of the Beemer.
But the above did say that this was dangerous.
John-
Help my Spitfire 1500 clutch is stuck...
Posted By : Kevin Rochfort, 29-Jul-2005, 00:09am
A much safer way of pulling something to get it unstuck is to use a CHAIN. Chains stretch much much less than ropes or wires, and hence store much less energy, therefore when they break they just slump to the ground, rather than reacting like massive elastic bands.
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Help my Spitfire 1500 clutch is stuck...
Posted By : Paul Vollentine, 29-Jul-2005, 11:46pm
I had a problem with my clutch too, after having left the car stood for at least 12 months. The clutch pedal moved freely and would allow me to engage
the gears whilst the car was stationary with the engine off, but not when the engine was running.
I solved the problem by pushing the car back down the drive then starting it in gear. The car leapt forward and after a few yards the clutch was released and I was then able to engage the gears as normal, and it has been OK ever since.
I solved the problem by pushing the car back down the drive then starting it in gear. The car leapt forward and after a few yards the clutch was released and I was then able to engage the gears as normal, and it has been OK ever since.
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Help my Spitfire 1500 clutch is stuck...
Posted By : Ian Mulford, 30-Jul-2005, 00:32am
When the engine's not running of course you'll select every gear. The clutch is there to somehow match the engine speed (fast) to the slower transmission speed. When the engine is not running everything is stationary so no different speed and everything slots into place.
Darn this local pub!
Apologies for making no sense there, I'll try again tomorrow