super stiff cluch pedal and won't go in gear

[stiffler4444]

Hi,

Been looking around the search, can't pinpoint what I need. My truck is a daily driver and worked beautifully yesterday. This morning, went to start it and the clutch was super stiff. Put it to the boards with effort and started it, and it jumped, still engaged in reverse. I put it in neutral, started it again and tried to shift into reverse with no luck. I can shift no probem into all gears when the truck is off, but nothing when it is on.

No leaks, and I can't imagine the pressure plate is fused to the disc as I have read about. Any help, not too versed on clutches. No visible leaks and hydraulic fluid is full. :?:

tx Dave

[undysworld]

Dave,

Occasionally I've seen a disk stick to the flywheel, and we've been able to shake it loose. But I don't think that wouldn't explain your stiff pedal.

I guess I'd pull the transmission cover in the bed and then the cover over the clutch slave to see what's actually moving around in there.

Maybe gunk in the clutch line, needing to be bled out?

[stiffler4444]

K, thanks, I will try this on the weekend, see if there is any visible signs of damage. If I see nothing, guess I'll bleed the system and see if that does the trick.

Dave

[edzz]

Any chance of water having gotten in the bell housing and frozen?

[Jim LaGuardia]

you had better pull the inspection cover over the slave pin and look for a fragmented disk or debris between the PP housing and the release spring(s).

[stiffler4444]

Any chance of water having gotten in the bell housing and frozen?

no, been dry for last while and no water "adventures" lately....

[stiffler4444]

you had better pull the inspection cover over the slave pin and look for a fragmented disk or debris between the PP housing and the release spring(s).

Ok, will do this on weekend, results to be posted.

tx Dave

[mopar]

look for a fragmented disk or debris between the PP housing and the release spring(s).

For the win. This is what happened to my clutch lucky it grenaded on the pressure plate side and not the flywheel side so no major resurfacing. In my search on the forum this is what I found to be common with these symptons.

[stiffler4444]

Hey, guess it's a good exuse to take the tranny off for the first time. Sounds like a day in the garage, this time with an excuse for my wife....... Might not be this weekend now, but next. At any rate, I will take pics and post my findings.

Thanks Jim and everyone for the pointers.

Dave

[stiffler4444]

Ok...sooooo.....pulled the transmission off tonight. Was expecting to find some physical damage, but nothing there. No evidence of disc issues, or debris in the housing?? I did not pull off the pressure plate, as it would appear there is nothing wrong with the disc. Please remember, I am new to clutch diagnosis, so if I've missed something, let me know.

As well, the TOB appeared to function fine with no issues.

I can attach pics if that helps.

On a side note, what a breeze to work on this truck. I didn't curse once.

Dave

[edzz]

so... is it now working?

[stiffler4444]

Haven't put it back together, cause something was definitely wrong....any suggestions.....????

[edzz]

Suggest very gently depressing the clutch pedal to see it the slave cylinder is being actuated so as to attempt to rule out the possibility of it being a hydraulic problem.

[stiffler4444]

Ok, with the trans off, the clutch pedal engaged with zero resistance one time, and now will not depress at all. Boy do I sound clueless......

[Jim LaGuardia]

The slave piston is at the stop(safety feature) and pedal will be ok when piston is pushed back in place.
Pull the pressure plate off and look at the fingers, they must all be at the same level. Look at the disc, if it is thin or burned, replace it.
An early GM 10 spline alignment tool will work for re assembly.
Stiff clutch pedal is usually the result of debri's or failed clutch parts.
Look , don't guess