Clutch Plate seems "bonded" to Flywheel

[Barra]

Hi guys,

have put a new MC/SC in the tranny system, bled system but now clutch appears to be bonded to the flywheel due to nil use over many tears. There was a post back in 2012 but I cannot reach that one anymore. Any ideas for a free up solution, apart from having to pull the GB.

Cheers,

Barra

[Lionelgee]

Hello Barra,

Youtube provides this suggestion about how to free a stuck clutch, although the method would not mark very high on a Workplace Health & Safety score. However, it might work... Accessed 11th August 2020 from, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joOpGzfQ_Ac

Kind regards
Lionel

[Barra]

Thanks Lionel,

apart from the WH&S aspect did you see the next one where they cut an inspection hole in the Flywheel? My biggest concern with that method would be breaking an axle. I have tried rocking it back & forth in gear but not yet working, some forums suggest starting the engine, have a cup of tea, while the whole tranny warms up & see if that unsticks it. Apparently it is common problem if the clutch has not been used for some time - like mine.

Cheers,

Barra

[Lionelgee]

Hello Barra,

There was another clip where they had the vehicle jacked up and put on axle stands. Accessed 12 August 2020 from,  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7kYi71X4U8. They put the vehicle in third gear and let the wheels spin for a while. They then stabbed the brakes on. This process was repeated a number of times and eventually the clutch plate released. The force of applying the brakes without a functional clutch broke the plate free. So there was not any contact with the ground or strain on the axles.

Kind  regards
Lionel

[mike_k]

I haven’t tried this myself, but I’ve seen elsewhere,

1. Run up to temperature.

2. Allow to cool down.

3. Select 3rd gear.

4. Clutch pedal down, Foot on brake at the same time.

5. Engage starter, may free off with a fair jolt.

A bit safer than the methods using a jack!

[Barra]

Thanks for the tips gentlemen. I have decided to pull the GB after removing the inspection plate & seeing a not too pretty sight. Lots of corrosion so will be overhauling or replacing whatever I find - lol.

Cheers,

Barra

[john.k]

If you can see the edge of the clutch plate,a thin bladed knife can be used to free the lining from the flywheel/pressure plate(or a hacksaw blade with the teeth ground flat).............fella I know(some of you too),was trying to break loose a stuck clutch in a prewar Ford ,and broke a tooth on the cluster gear.

[Barra]

Thanks fo rthe tip re thin blade. Cannot get the GB to move back far enough to be able to this ATM. I think the splines are so rusted that they will not allow the GB to be slid backwards. I have an endless chain taking the weight off the GB, a "come-along" applying rearwards pressure but not moving much at all. There is an approx 6mm gap appearing but very heavy/careful work. The LH side would not move at at first & I started to think that the Starter should be removed but it is bolted to the intermediate housing between Engine + Bell Housing so should not affect rearwards movement. The Starter pinion shoul be pulled back towards the Starter as well so should not be any impediment there as far as I can tell. Ahhh well - will persist after lunch

[Barra]

GB now out & clutch issue pretty obvious (see photos).
Now one for the brains trust - can I replace the older style clutch/pressure plate with the later diaphragm type?

[Lionelgee]

Clutch is broken!

[STDDIVER]

I'm with you Lionel!   

[mike_k]

Good idea to split the gearbox off!

Barra, you can use the later  9 1/2 inch diaphragm clutch, but you will need to change the dowels in the flywheel. The original set up (9 inch clutch) has a different spacing for the dowels. No big issue if you are getting the flywheel machined, but I would suggest that you get the 9 1/2 inch clutch cover first so you get this right.

Not many 2As had this set up, I think it was only very late vehicles that had this upgrade, making parts a bit scarce.  The Army RPS makes no mention of the later set up, as far as I have seen, they stuck with the 9 inch system for the entire 2A fleet.

I ran the later set up for a fair while in 178-193, but recently went back to the 9 inch set up, as I like the way that you can overhaul the older clutch cover instead of completely replacing the later one.

[john.k]

The old coil spring Borg and Beck pressure plates can usually be cleaned up OK ,even if pitted .......dont get them ground,just swirl them up with a sanding disc on an angle grinder.(70% cleanup is plenty.)....a bit of skill ,and its just as good as the mobile brake machiners do.......in fact its exactly what the mobile brake machiners do.......Another point is clutch discs have thin spring steel that takes the drive.....it takes very little rust for the steel to break from fatigue induced by the corrosion.....very little,so it is risky using a old plate.......unless you re broke ,of course.