Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Clutch not engaging

[White Rat]

Clutch not releasing

On my way home tonight the clutch stopped working. I had to start it in gear to get going again and shift it clutchless the rest of the way. While I'm driving I can push the pedal to the floor and the RPM doesn't change (not disengaging) but the pedal feels normal. The clutch isn't slipping and doesn't make any odd nosies.



Do I point my finger at the master or the slave?? Is there any tests for the two parts??



Cheers

 

[GCroyle]

White Rat,



First, termonology. Release allows you to shift, Engage = power transmission.

A simple test for the hydraulic release system is to remove the slave cylinder (leave it hooked up to the hydraulics) then use something like a steering gear puller and create a setup that prevents the pushrod from extending, be carefull, no need to make a mess and screw something up.



Now, go in the cab and push on the pedal with your hand. If the system is good, the pedal will not move hardly at all, it will just tighten up. If if moves, look at the cluster and see if you can spot lost motion in it, if nothing, it needs to be bled or replaced, might want to look for fluid leaks at the MC and SC.

 

[BigPapa]

Rat,



Same thing happened to me a couple of months ago. If you haven't upgraded to the 13" clutch I'm going to bet that your clutch hub has come apart. That's what happened to me. The pedal felt fine and worked properly. What happens is the smaller hub on the 12" clutch comes apart and the springs, it only takes one, come out and wedge themselves under the finger springs and will not allow the pressure plate to disengage. A new clutch will be in order and I would highly suggest an upgrade to the larger clutch. They don't have this problem.



Good luck,

Scott

 

[SMorneau]

It could be your pilot bearing seizing to the input shaft. The clutch will still work but the power will be transmitted right from the flywheel to the input shaft via the failed bearing. A pretty common failure.

 

[GAmes]

Can you "pump up" the clutch to make it work? If so, the clutch linkage is bad. Not that expensive or difficult to replace.

 

[BigPapa]

Rat,



Got her opened up yet?



Scott

 

[White Rat]

I'll be getting into it in a hour. I'm going to test it the way that GCroyle said. I hope it's just the master/slave and not the bearing or clutch.



I'll post my findings. I'll change the title too, sorry for the confusion.



Cheers

 

[White Rat]

The master and slave are fine, they were rock hard. Now I get to pull the trans to find out if it's the clutch or baring.



The plumbers union might be going on strike so she could be sitting in the drive for a while if it happens.



Any links to a good write up on how to pull the trans?



Cheers

 

[White Rat]

The winner is... ... ... . SMorneau, the pilot bearing was the problem. It came out in pieces. The clutch is fine aside from being a luk, so I'm just going to put a new pilot and throw out bearings in it and pray that it survives a few more months.



Now to get the race out.



Thanks for the help, the job is going easier than I expected.



Cheers