Clutch is sticking,bad... -_-

[Curator]

Everytime I park the thing and come back to it, the clutch is stuck again... (1967 122s) I can pop it out pretty easy if I remember to put the car in reverse be4 I get out...then I can just pull out backwards and it normaly pops out, but when I forget to put it in reverse, and there is something in front of me, then its really freaking annoying...usually end up having to drive up over a devider or wait till the car in front of me in the parking lot pulls out... any idea's on how I can take care of this? thats cheap?LOL...

[austingipsy]

67, is that cable or hydraulic ? if its cable maybe check the cable tension and adjust if need be. Check your fluid level if its hydraulic and maybe also the small nut and lever affair on the slave cylinder. perhaps the seals are starting to leak.

[Derek UK]

I think we need a bit more info here. It sounds like a hydraulic problem with either the master or slave needing replacing or new seals. Check fluid level. If no sign of any leaks, bleed the system properly. Even with no leaks a seal could still have failed but may be good enough to alow you to "pump up" the system. When you dip the clutch to change gear, does the gear lever have a lot of resistance but still allow you to select the next gear? If so, the clutch is dragging because the hydraulics aren't moving the lever enough.
I don't see where the reverse gear comes into the picture unless there is trouble with the selectors in the box and that's a whole new problem. Check gearbox oil level while you're under the car checking the slave cylinder and its adjustment.

[amazondean]

I originally read it to mean the clutch had stuck to the flywheel but I presume he means not being able to get it into gear very easily. It does sound like the master or slave cylinder is leaking but there must be air in the system if it requires pumping the pedal to help. There may not be any fluid in the master cylinder and therefore has sucked some air into the system. It could be that the clutch arm under the car may need adjustment. But he only mensions a problem when parked so the clutch plate may be slipping from the flywheel slightly. I do believe more info is needed.

[Curator]

its hydraulic, and no I cant put it into ANY gear other than the gear it was in when i parked it, I have to leave it in gear otherwise it gets stuck and I cant get it unstuck without fiddling around for half an hour... I leave it in reverse be4 I get out of the car because it makes it easy to get it to work if it sticks, I jsut hit reverse, accelerate , and usually unsticks the clutch within 20 feet...after I get it loose, the car shifts from gear to gear smoothly and easily... I dont know how to check fluid level, but I'll ask my friend about that next time I talk to him... thanks for your responses...

[JIM C]

I think you have an hydralic fault. Is there any sign of leakage by the pedal box or gearbox?

[gnhuk]

Once, many years ago (and not on a Volvo), I had a clutch fault which was the plate had seized on the splined shaft. I think the garage that eventually fixed it found that parting the gearbox and engine required use of crowbars etc..............

[Ron Kwas]

Curator;

Please answer this: Are you able to shift into all gears while the engine is not running, and not able to shift while the engine is running and you depress the clutch pedal? ...that's what we want to know..."hit reverse" etc. doesn't tell me what I need to know...

Check hydraulic clutch fluid level at the reservoir next to the brake fluid reservior...you should know where both are!

Cheers, and Merry Christmas from New England!

[Curator]

fluid level is fine, cant find any leaks, and yes i can shift into any other gear, unless I let it sit for a few hours, then it wont shift into any other gear, will stay in the gear i left it in when I park, till I drive it a bit in that gear, then I can shift into another...

[Derek UK]

Very strange. "Out of the box" ideas might include, GB filled/overfilled with rear axle type hypoid, causing everything including the synchros to lock up. (No synchro on reverse). No oil at all in the GB! Gearbox is loose on the bellhousing causing the input shaft to lock up or the input shaft is locking up due to the collapse or rusting out of the pilot bearing. Gearstick to GB top plate loose so end ball isn't correctly positioned. Broken spring/s in the cltch pressure plate. Cracked or badly worn clutch arm. Etc,etc, etc....

Bad clutch hydraulics still seems the top guess. Unfortunately, that's much easier to diagnose when you've got yourself sitting in the driver's seat.