Clutch

Tiny
340ROADRUNNER
  • MEMBER
  • 1973 PLYMOUTH ROADRUNNER
  • 5.7L
  • V8
  • RWD
  • MANUAL
  • 84,000 MILES
My clutch will not release to allow me to get the car in gear while running and causes the transmission to grind. If you start the car in the gear or manage to get it in gear while running the wheels with spin with the clutch depressed to the floor.
Sunday, July 24th, 2016 AT 3:31 PM

21 Replies

Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,916 POSTS
Have a helper push the pedal while you watch the clutch lever at the front of the left side of the transmission. If the lever does not move, suspect an anchor for the linkage pivot is rusted and shifting position. If the lever is moving normally, suspect a failed throw-out bearing or pressure plate.
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Sunday, July 24th, 2016 AT 3:36 PM
Tiny
340ROADRUNNER
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  • 9 POSTS
Well the clutch drops half way then engages but I can get it where it will do right. But I still have the same problems.
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Sunday, July 24th, 2016 AT 4:28 PM
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
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Did you read my reply?
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Sunday, July 24th, 2016 AT 4:33 PM
Tiny
340ROADRUNNER
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  • 9 POSTS
Yes. It is a brand new clutch, pressure plate and throw out bearing.
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Sunday, July 24th, 2016 AT 4:34 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
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Just to add to this one then your problem is in the linkage between the clutch pedal and clutch fork in transmission clutch housing.
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Sunday, July 24th, 2016 AT 5:01 PM
Tiny
CARADIODOC
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It is either assembled wrong, a part is defective, it is not adjusted properly, or the linkage pivot is moving. If the pedal works normally at times and not at other times, a good suspect is a missing nylon "bearing" inside the tube that goes from the body to the transmission that is the linkage's pivot. There are two pieces to that part. If one fell out, how that tube rotates and stays in position is determined by where the one remaining part happens to be sitting at that moment.

If this is a high-performance or racing clutch, as I mentioned before, look for flexing in the body or pivot mount. This is more common on rusty cars. If the problem only occurs while driving, suspect a broken left engine mount. They were redesigned after 1972 so the engine could not lift up under hard acceleration when that mount was broken, but it can still shift enough to change the orientation of the clutch linkage.
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Sunday, July 24th, 2016 AT 5:06 PM
Tiny
340ROADRUNNER
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  • 9 POSTS
Have a mechanic at the house now. Says the clutch is working properly but it could be something with the transmission. We are dropping it back out now. I will post an update soon.
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Sunday, July 24th, 2016 AT 6:05 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
If the clutch was working releasing properly it would not have the pedal go down have way before there was pressure. Also even if there was a problem with the transmission why would the back tires try to spin while trying to put it in gear without running? The clutch is releasing and working and that should not happen?
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Sunday, July 24th, 2016 AT 6:13 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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The back tires trying to spin with it running and the clutch pushed in?
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Sunday, July 24th, 2016 AT 6:16 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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Maybe the clutch disc is in backwards?
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Sunday, July 24th, 2016 AT 6:17 PM
Tiny
340ROADRUNNER
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  • 9 POSTS
According to the mechanic everything is set up properly. The clutch now has the correct amount of free play and takes pressure at the right point.
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Sunday, July 24th, 2016 AT 6:19 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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Okay, now it does so does the clutch release properly now? If the clutch worked correctly even if the transmission was bad it would still release from the engine with the clutch pushed all the way in.
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Sunday, July 24th, 2016 AT 6:23 PM
Tiny
340ROADRUNNER
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Found the problem. Pressure plate forks were rubbing the plate.
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Sunday, July 24th, 2016 AT 7:07 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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The fingers of the pressure plate were rubbing what?
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Sunday, July 24th, 2016 AT 7:10 PM
Tiny
340ROADRUNNER
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  • 9 POSTS
The fingers of the pressure flat were rubbing the springs on the clutch disc. Going have to get a new clutch.
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Monday, July 25th, 2016 AT 6:05 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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Okay, sounds like the clutch got all jammed up. Glad you found the problem.
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Monday, July 25th, 2016 AT 10:10 AM
Tiny
JOHNNY G.JR
  • MECHANIC
  • 320 POSTS
Sounds like assembly malfunction, something in backwards
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Monday, July 25th, 2016 AT 2:03 PM
Tiny
340ROADRUNNER
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  • 9 POSTS
According to the mechanic, everything was assembles properly. Clutch disc on the right way, pressure plate on correctly and throw out bearing also. The pressure plate finger were just pushing up against the springs in the disc. The mechanic said it would be best to get a new kit so I'm looking at a McLeod kit for it.
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Monday, July 25th, 2016 AT 2:09 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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Maybe a defective pressure plate I had a center force clutch in my truck I really liked it
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Monday, July 25th, 2016 AT 5:51 PM
Tiny
340ROADRUNNER
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Yea I'll look into it. I appreciate all yall's help!
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Monday, July 25th, 2016 AT 6:44 PM

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