Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Maintenance & Servicing Possible stuck clutch?

Hello All.

My car is a1981 4/4 1600.

I have just come to start the car after a month or so when she has been sat in the garage. However, she will not go into gear. The clutch pedal feels like normal, but obviously something is very wrong as the gear lever will not go into gear from neutral.

I have jacked her up (with prop stands too) and put her in fourth before trying to jar the clutch loose by hitting the brakes with the clutch pedal pushed in, but with no results.

Any ideas anyone?

If it hydraulic could the clutch cylinder be leaking internally?

I had this just once with my MGB over winter.

First just make sure that the slave cylinder is moving as it should.

I did as you have tried with the car on axle stands but it took several attempts and plenty of revs to break the joint.

Pretty sure that's cable operated.
Had a similar problem with my '76 once.
Pushed it out onto the road, where there is a slight downhill. Put car in first, started it on the starter, in gear (don't put power on for long, starters don't like it!). Drove down the road with clutch pedal depressed, with a few revs on. A couple of hard brake applications broke the clutch free. Went for a long drive

I'm sure that Graham would have done this, but it's worth getting the engine thoroughly warmed up before starting it in gear, that way it will be easier to fire up and will put less load on the starter motor.

I've only had to deal with this problem once, and I managed it by jacking the rear off the ground. Took 3 or 4 goes though.

Indeed. And the additional warmth may help in getting the clutch plates free

Thanks everyone.

I will get a mate round and see if we can try the moving option.

I've had the problem a couple of times.

First time it was enough to warm the engine and then leave the car overnight with the clutch pedal depressed. In the morning the clutch was free.

Second time (thought I would have learned) it was well and truly stuck. I tried overnight, then tried jacking up the rear and applying the brakes with the clutch depressed, then tried driving with the clutch depressed and in the end towed the car in gear with ignition off and clutch in, and it went after about 50 yards.

That's reminded me to check tomorrow as it hasn't been moved for a week or two....

Malcolm

Common fault metal particals in the clutch plate rust to the fly wheel . Any of these tips should release it.

As above - had plenty of clutch's stuck on land rovers - start them in gear, get moving - press clutch/brake and accelerator at same time - eventually it will free up... sometimes with a good 'bang'