I have a '74 DL1400, and the clutch was replaced within the last year.  While driving it today in stop and go traffic I had a couple rough 1->2 shifts as well as trouble getting it into 1st. All of a sudden, I felt a pop and the clutch pedal went all the way to the floor, the clutch pedal felt like it wasn't engaging at all (light and free feeling), and I could not get it into any gear. 

 

This unfortunately happened in rush hour traffic on a busy freeway, leaving me no choice but to get a tow home. 

 

Once home I checked out the clutch cable and it's in tact and operating fine. What gives? Clutch fork?

 

Any advice for troubleshooting would be appreciated, as this is my daily for now so I am currently out of a car. 

 

What can I do to troubleshoot this without dropping the motor?

 

Thanks!!

Did it chatter, clatter or make any other discouraging, expensive noises?

 

Throwout bearing??

 

John

Check the clutch pedal assembly, where the cable is held to the side of the pedal box. The pedal boxes are prone to cracking in that area.

The throwout berring has worn thru the preshure plate time for clutch job

I agree with Ivans imports,

 

Sounds like a classic clutch failure, most likely popped a spring or shoe in the clutch.

Edited November 27, 201312 yr by junk250

accept for the fact that he stated the clutch had been done within the year i highly doubt that after one year it wore its way threw the pp i have driven on clutches with 200k and 40 years on them and that hasnt happened im more willing to bet that the clutch cable snapped thin cable with 30+ years of service is alot more likly to fail then a less then a year old clutch

and you didnt have to get it towed it you dont mind some wear and tear on the starter you drive it by using the starter to get goin in first then rev match to change gears pain in the rump roast but beats a towing bill

he said he checked the cable but that would be my first gess to

Check the clutch pedal assembly, where the cable is held to the side of the pedal box. The pedal boxes are prone to cracking in that area.

 

You mean exactly like in the picture below?!

 

Not only is that cracked, which is allowing the mount to move a bit, but the stopper that held the cable to that mount sheared off the cable.  Since the cable itself was still in tact and attached to the pedal, it looked like it was still working under the hood when I took my first look, but I'm sure this is the issue.  New cable is being shipped, any ideas for the pedal box?

 

 

and you didnt have to get it towed it you dont mind some wear and tear on the starter you drive it by using the starter to get goin in first then rev match to change gears pain in the rump roast but beats a towing bill

 

I would have done this but I was in bumper to bumper traffic, so once I got it moving there was nowhere to go, pretty frustrating to say the least. 

There is a related thread to the pedal box. It's been showing up in a large percentage of these cars lately.

 

Subaru3 might have a pedal box to sell.

 

Let us see what you do to improve it. Thanks and good luck.

 

 

 

 

 

Worn through ??? Yikes !!! Glad it wasn't that!!! Lol

I probly have one to glad you found it

Now I'm getting paranoid about the one in my 74. I better check it befor I start driving in again.

We need a kit. Get one of our fabricators on it.

I have used the 85-89 gl cables on older cars has a two bolt setup instead of loop worked good and solid boltup