Archived Stuck Clutch?

[AndrewKing]

HI All,



I have a problem with my old 1981 Dodge D250 (gas) truck. The truck has been sitting for awhile (about a month and a half) and when I went to push the clutch in to start it the truck creeped forward... . I tried to take the trans out of granny low (with the clutch pushed in) but the shift lever would not move out of gear... . I bumped the starter again and the truck inched forward... . The truck is in my fairly steep driveway and will not roll back into the driveway when I pushed in the clutch... I don't want to keep creeping forward ( I did try repeated bumps in the hope of freeing it up) otherwise I will be on the sidewalk and soon the street... Is the clutch somehow stuck and not releasing?... . I have never had this happen before... . how would I free it up this time... A friend suggested WD 40 to free up the rust and possible the sticking but I think that oil or oil based products would tend to screw up the clutch friction surfaces. Any ideas would be greatlu appreciated (the truck is a d250 with a 360 engine and 4 sp trans (has granny low plus 3 sp)... The clutch was replaced about a year ago and has plenty of life left in it so I would prefer not to totallk destroy it trying to fix this).....

 

[Joe Mc]

If the battery is good and it's pointed nose out of the driveway give it a few shots of starting fluid and try starting it, foot on the clutch, if it starts it'll probably just drive away. Once you get it going let off the gas and step on it again. Doing this a few times may help dislodge the clutch. It's probably stuck on the flywheel. If this doesn't free up the clutch, not sure what's next. However, if it doesn't you still have to deal with the trans in granny gear. As you are moving forward slight enging rpm let off the gas and try to pull trans out of granny gear into neutral - this (flat shifting) should at least get it to a point where you can push the truck back into the driveway or have it towed. Hopefully the clutch will just free up for you. They can be a bugger when not driven for some time. Good luck.

 

[B.G. Smith]

Like Joe said. If the traffic is too bad in your neighborhood to try driving it, you can get it out of gear by jacking up one of the back wheels. I guess you need to make sure it will run before you get it into the street. If you start it in gear, I would try it in a higher gear than granny as that will give you more torque on the clutch. I had one do that once after driving in water and sitting a few days. Just get it moving and while holding the clutch in, do like we used to do the first time we drove a standard shift. bg

 

[FOXY005]

Check the fluid level in the clutch master cylinder, if it is OK try pumping the clutch pedal up a few times and pulling it out of gear.



Hope it works for you, just guessing here.



Not sure if your year truck has a hyraulic cylinder or actual clutch linkage

 

[JKinney]

I had a dodge horizon (81) that would do that, I just lift the drive wheels off the ground with a fork lift start it and it would break free in a few minutes

 

[AndrewKing]

Thanks for the advice... . I think I will have to use starting fluid to get her running quickly... . normally the truck is very "cold natured" and doesn't run real well until warmed up a few minutes so I guess I'll just have to keep my fingers crossed... .

I guess I'll use the give her gas / let of the gas method to try to break her free... . I'll probably try this on Sunday since I will be ooff work that day just in case I have other unforseen complications because of this. Thanks gain for all the advice.

Andrew

 

[AndrewKing]

Oh... I forgot... . The clutch is manual linkage (not hydraulic)... . unfortunately or actually maybe fortunately the gear shift lever is in granny and will not shift out even with the clutch pushed in... . I say fortunately because I at least have a chance for the starter motor to crank her up and get her moving in this low gear while on the hill... . I think If I was in the higher gear the truck may not move fast enough for the engine to start... Oh well starting fluid don't fail me now! http://turbodieselregister.com/forums/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=1547473#

Roll Eyes (Sarcastic)

 

[bighammer]

Assuming it's the friction material stuck on the flywheel and/or presure plate, I wonder about holding the clutch pedal down (blocking it with something) and REALLY chocking the wheels and just let it sit a while. I think the presure plate pulling back and the truck wanting to roll would free it up in a few hours.

Of course it's possible that the throwout bearing has rusted in place or the linkage is not working right.

Maybe Peter at South Bend Clutch would have some good ideas. (mine is just a guess )