Stuck Clutch

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Ryno
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Location: Lake Geneva, WI
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Stuck Clutch

Post by Ryno » Mon Sep 24, 2012 9:43 am

Ok...stock 1972 Kombi stuck clutch. Engine cranks freely in neutral, put it in gear and it has no clutch action at all.

I'm thinking the disc is rusted to the flywheel or pressure plate?

It cranks like the clutch is not engaged and if my foot wasn't on the brake, we would hit my workbench.

Any suggestions on freeing this baby up without pulling everything apart?

Start it in first and drive it around maybe?


thanks,
Ryan
Ryan

1985 Westfalia

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Amskeptic
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Re: Stuck Clutch

Post by Amskeptic » Mon Sep 24, 2012 8:15 pm

Ryno wrote:Ok...stock 1972 Kombi stuck clutch. Engine cranks freely in neutral, put it in gear and it has no clutch action at all.

I'm thinking the disc is rusted to the flywheel or pressure plate?

It cranks like the clutch is not engaged and if my foot wasn't on the brake, we would hit my workbench.

Any suggestions on freeing this baby up without pulling everything apart?

Start it in first and drive it around maybe?


thanks,
Ryan
Clutch pedal gives you a springy return?
Pull the engine. Damage can be quick and severe if you try to play around. The things that cause sticking often need a tender ministration of cleaning and lubrication.
Colin
BobD - 78 Bus . . . 112,730 miles
Chloe - 70 bus . . . 217,593 miles
Naranja - 77 Westy . . . 142,970 miles
Pluck - 1973 Squareback . . . . . . 55,600 miles
Alexus - 91 Lexus LS400 . . . 96,675 miles

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Ryno
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Location: Lake Geneva, WI
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Re: Stuck Clutch

Post by Ryno » Tue Sep 25, 2012 4:39 am

Amskeptic wrote:
Ryno wrote:Ok...stock 1972 Kombi stuck clutch. Engine cranks freely in neutral, put it in gear and it has no clutch action at all.

I'm thinking the disc is rusted to the flywheel or pressure plate?

It cranks like the clutch is not engaged and if my foot wasn't on the brake, we would hit my workbench.

Any suggestions on freeing this baby up without pulling everything apart?

Start it in first and drive it around maybe?


thanks,
Ryan
Clutch pedal gives you a springy return?
Pull the engine. Damage can be quick and severe if you try to play around. The things that cause sticking often need a tender ministration of cleaning and lubrication.
Colin
It does give the springy return. The more I think about it, pulling the engine is the right answer. I hadn't considered the pilot bearing either.
Ryan

1985 Westfalia

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Ryno
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Re: Stuck Clutch

Post by Ryno » Sun Sep 30, 2012 12:29 pm

So I took a gamble and tried to start the bus in gear. Just a little cranking and it popped loose.
Ryan

1985 Westfalia

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Amskeptic
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Re: Stuck Clutch

Post by Amskeptic » Sun Sep 30, 2012 1:28 pm

Ryno wrote:So I took a gamble and tried to start the bus in gear. Just a little cranking and it popped loose.
And now the question is how long until the pilot bearing explodes or the input shaft scores to death . . . if it was the pilot bearing. If it was just a clutch plate stuck to the flywheel surface or pressure plate surface, you might dodge the bullet.
Colin
BobD - 78 Bus . . . 112,730 miles
Chloe - 70 bus . . . 217,593 miles
Naranja - 77 Westy . . . 142,970 miles
Pluck - 1973 Squareback . . . . . . 55,600 miles
Alexus - 91 Lexus LS400 . . . 96,675 miles

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Ryno
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Location: Lake Geneva, WI
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Re: Stuck Clutch

Post by Ryno » Sun Sep 30, 2012 5:20 pm

Either way, the engine is getting pulled this winter for a thorough PM rundown.

I'm glad it will move on its own now, I've got daily driver PM to do before the snow flies.
Ryan

1985 Westfalia

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