Gear selection problem

[Rabbitoh]

After a 5 month hibernation (following a badly needed ‘rings and bearings’ replacement job), we fired up the FE wagon (motor purring like a kitten) only to hear (and feel) a nasty clashing of gears after depressing the clutch and as soon as I attempt to shift into first. I seem to be able to select all gears with the motor off, albeit not quite as smoothly as seemed to be the case previously. What is most likely to be the cause of this issue?

[Harv]

Sounds like the clutch is still in hibernation, and is not doing it’s job.

Check fluid and adjustment (free play). Peer under the car and make sure it is moving as your helper presses the pedal in.

Cheers,
Harv

[DougT]

I my be asking you to suck eggs but did you put the clutch plate in the right way around? Doug

[ardiesse]

I don't think the clutch is in the wrong way.  If it is in the wrong way, it disengages freely, but makes an awful racket when you try to release the clutch.

If the hydraulic system is in order (clutch fork moves about an inch when you depress the pedal), then the clutch driven plate is most likely stuck to the flywheel.

The remedy is fairly brutal.  You will need a long, clear driveway: warm the motor up first.  Then, with the engine stopped, engage first gear, but keep the clutch pedal fully depressed.  With foot off the accelerator, start the motor (and yes, the car will move).  Once the car's moving at idle speed in first, keep the clutch pedal to the floor, give it a good squirt of throttle and then back off.  Repeat the cycle as often as needed, until the clutch plate breaks free.

The alternative is a lot of work:  drop the gearbox, unbolt the pressure plate, free the clutch, and reassemble.

Best of luck.

Rob

[my8thholden]

Rabbitoh..
1. did you lift engine and gearbox as one unit out of the car to do rings and bearings ?
2. so you removed starter and gearbox from the block ?
3. did you remove clutch pressure plate and driven plate from flywheel ?
4. did you remove the clutch release bearing from the throw out fork ?
lets start there ..Vern .

[Rabbitoh]

Vern; answers to all four of your questions is, ‘Yes’.
Clutch fluid level is as it should be.
I have checked my ‘clutch pedal free travel’ -way too much at 15/16” (should be 1/8”).
Clutch Pedal (over-centre) spring measurement is off as well. Both need adjustment.
Tomorrow, weather permitting, I will check the clutch fork operating rod free travel. Hopefully the fix will lie somewhere within these 3 Clutch Control adjustments.
Thanks for everyone’s helpful responses.

[Pahs59]

I would say Ardiesse has hit the nail on the head..a clutch plate will grow to the flywheel if it hasn’t been used for a long period of time

[my8thholden]

NO..that wont be the case as he answered "yes' if he removed the clutch pressure plate and driven plate from the flywheel ..removal is one thing ,then it requires correct assembly and cleanliness ,he has identified some further adjustments needed ,hopefully the answer lies there ..keep well Vern .

[Errol62]

Taking up yhr pedal free play will make plenty of difference if it is that much

Sent from my SM-G973F using Tapatalk

[Rabbitoh]

I don't think the clutch is in the wrong way.  If it is in the wrong way, it disengages freely, but makes an awful racket when you try to release the clutch.

If the hydraulic system is in order (clutch fork moves about an inch when you depress the pedal), then the clutch driven plate is most likely stuck to the flywheel.

The remedy is fairly brutal.  You will need a long, clear driveway: warm the motor up first.  Then, with the engine stopped, engage first gear, but keep the clutch pedal fully depressed.  With foot off the accelerator, start the motor (and yes, the car will move).  Once the car's moving at idle speed in first, keep the clutch pedal to the floor, give it a good squirt of throttle and then back off.  Repeat the cycle as often as needed, until the clutch plate breaks free.

The alternative is a lot of work:  drop the gearbox, unbolt the pressure plate, free the clutch, and reassemble.

Best of luck.

Rob

Doh!!
Sorry to revive an ancient thread but after a few attempts at bleeding an 'already bled' clutch system', Rob's driveway solution did the trick! Many thanks for all the helpful replies.