i am working on a 80's (i'm not sure of the year) subaru gl wagon. it has been sitting for a while because of front end damage that i have fixed. when i tried to disengage clutch to put into gear it wouldn't move. the cable is free and moves so i think it is just rusty and stuck from sitting for so long. does anyone know any tricks to getting the clutch unstuck? i would appreciate any suggestions that don't involve pulling the engine, I don't want to get that involved in this car. oh BTW it is a front wheel drive i'm not sure if that matters or not.

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Edited June 1, 201213 yr by Suba_GL_87

^^ he said the clutch cable is free, why would he go buy one??

 

There are a couple things it could be. One is the throw out bearing could be rusted stuck to the snout. If you take the cable off the clutch fork, can you move the fork around? If you get a light you should be able to see in the hole if you can move the TOB back and forth on the shaft.

 

Otherwise the pressure plate could somehow be rusted up, but that's less likely. I can't really see how that would happen.

This does happen from time to time whjen a car sits for a long time. Can you try starting it in gear to get it going (or push starting it). Usually this wil be enough to get it unstuck.

 

Rocking the car back and forth in high gear (by hand)

 

Another thing to try is with your foot on the brake pedal, coil disconnected, NSS bipassed put the car in gear and engage the starter.

 

Usually one of these three will break it free.

My BMW 2002 used to have this problem regularly when it was parked for any length of time in a coastal enviroment.

 

Solution was to start it up in gear w/one wheel in the air(no posi) and slam on the brakes w/the clutch pedal depressed.Worked every time.

Edited June 1, 201213 yr by naru
in gear not neutral DUH

My BMW 2002 used to have this problem regularly when it was parked for any length of time in a coastal enviroment.

 

Solution was to start it up in neutral w/one wheel in the air(no posi) and slam on the brakes.Worked every time.

 

hahah, that's awesome!

hahah, that's awesome!

 

That would work too just need an impact load on the clutch

cool i just need to get the engine up and running, i'm not sure what that will take but shouldn't be to much.

Usually just the mass of the wheel or the car will do it.

i'm not worried about the clutch until the engine is running is what i meant. the car has been sitting for like five years.