how to free a rusted frozen clutch!!

[rocknroll]

Hey! my Gt was sitting for about 4 years and i am pretty sure the fly wheel is rusted to the pressure plate! O NO!! Any ideas on how to free it with out takin everything apart? i dont have the time
Rock
Dan

[rocknroll]

The car runs fine if that makes a difference

[Ricky Slade]

My old 56 chevy did this one time after sitting up. I disconnected the drive shaft from the trans and crank it up. It can't go anywhere. Maybe yours will turn loose when the clutch is depressed while running. If it doesn't, at least you have exercised the motor after four years. I would keep trying this and maybe some success will occur. If not the drive shaft is the first thing to remove if going into the trans and bellshousing. Good luck

[jeff denton]

I don't quite understand how a clutch disc can stick to the flywheel, but if so it couldn't be that hard to break loose. Get the car pointed in a safe, clear direction, fire it up in gear, push in the clutch and apply the brakes with some throttle. Something has to give!
Be careful. Think.

[RallyBob]

Originally Posted by jeff denton I don't quite understand how a clutch disc can stick to the flywheel,

I once had a Kadett clutch so rusted in place I had to get towed to 40 mph before it would release. Rear tires dragging the entire time....

Hey, I was 19 years old!

It really depends on the clutch face material. Higher metallic content discs will rust in place hard.

Bob

[opelnut10]

Originally Posted by rocknroll Hey! my Gt was sitting for about 4 years and i am pretty sure the fly wheel is rusted to the pressure plate! O NO!! Any ideas on how to free it with out takin everything apart? i dont have the time Rock Dan

This is actually pretty common on stick shift car that sit up outside for a long period of time. I have found the best method is like Rally Bob said,put it in fourth gear have someone tow it, and keep kicking the clutch paddle in and out until it breaks loose.Hopefully it will not take very far and there isn't much around to run into (a shopping center lot late at night of a county road without much traffic, etc.) Of course it is best not to have it running while this operation is being undertaken.

[kwilford]

Have a look at:

http://www.opelgt.com/forums/7a-clut...html#post82334
and
http://www.opelgt.com/forums/7a-clut...ot-engage.html

HTH

[jeff denton]

Awesome. I love how I, with so many years of experience in the automotive, truck, heavy equipment, and marine maintenance and repair business can learn something new every day here at gt.com!
Now that I'm convinced that this problem of a clutch disc sticking itself to the flywheel and pressure plate could truly happen, my analytical mind causes me to wonder if unsticking it leaves a condition of damage that has to be addressed next.
So we need a followup report!
Thanks!

[Welsh Wizard]

I grew up in Wales where in rains...A lot! and cars left for any length of time often suffered from the Fly wheel Freeze. just give your self a little room in front and get a mate to help. Jack the car, start it in gear and just drop it off the jack...Crack! and all will be just fine.

Just remember to be ready to stop if it doesn't work first hit, and you don't need to rev it just ticking over in first is plenty.

[RallyBob]

Originally Posted by jeff denton Now that I'm convinced that this problem of a clutch disc sticking itself to the flywheel and pressure plate could truly happen, my analytical mind causes me to wonder if unsticking it leaves a condition of damage that has to be addressed next. So we need a followup report! Thanks!

Ironically, about 3 days after I 'unstuck' my clutch, the clutch material did indeed delaminate from the disc. But I wasn't exactly gentle with it either....

[dcm013]

Originally Posted by rocknroll Hey! my Gt was sitting for about 4 years and i am pretty sure the fly wheel is rusted to the pressure plate! O NO!! Any ideas on how to free it with out takin everything apart? i dont have the time Rock Dan

Just put the car in gear, push the clutch pedal to the floor (to release the clamp load from the pressure plate), and start the engine. The car may lurch forward, so be careful.

If this doesn't free up the disc after a few tries you need to take things apart.

Don

[hrcollinsjr]

Originally Posted by jeff denton Now that I'm convinced that this problem of a clutch disc sticking itself to the flywheel and pressure plate could truly happen,...

Jeff, have you not ever encountered brake pads or shoes sticking to the rotors or drums? Can't be much difference, same principle. I know everything you work on probably hasn't been sitting for 10+years.

Harold

[Tru-Craft]

Light clutch sticking happens all the time here in humid rainy Florida.
Metal from the flywheel builds up on the disk and they rust together.

If it's a light stick, start car and let the car warm up in neutral, pushing the clutch peddle down a bunch of times.

If that doesn't work, shut the car off, put car in first, foot ON BRAKE! and try to start the car.

If that doesn't work use the towing method.
Have a buddy with a truck, tie a rope to your tow hook.
Put Opel in 4th gear.
Hold clutch to floor.
Then slowly drag away!
Be ready to stop when it brakes loose!
Lyle

[denny71gt]

This is a little tangential from the main subject, but I suspect a new clutch is in the near future after a frozen one. To remove the bell/flywheel housing with the engine in the vehicle, does the exhaust pipe need to be disconnected from the exhaust manifold? If so, what is the best way to go about it without shearing the threads? Also, what is the best way to remove the upper two attaching bolts? Swivel 15mm socket? or what?

Thanks in advance.

Denny

[hrcollinsjr]

Originally Posted by denny71gt Also, what is the best way to remove the upper two attaching bolts? Swivel 15mm socket? or what? Thanks in advance. Denny

The best luck I've had was using two or three long extensions with a swivel socket. If you're back near the tail section with the rachet it's a little easier.

Harold

[namba209]

Originally Posted by denny71gt Also, what is the best way to remove the upper two attaching bolts? Swivel 15mm socket? or what? Denny

I've got a 20" long 3/8" extension I've used in the past, but, IIRC long before the internet, I just used a wrench and got them from the top of the engine bay. I am a petite person, and working on aircraft all these years has helped.