clutch problem

[narts]

the problem im having is my clutch dont work....i mean, when i step on it, it feels normal. but when i let out the clutch, nothing happens. i can take it out of gear and in another gear with the engine running w/o stepping on the clutch.(let it be known that the explorer is parked) with the engine off, while in gear, the car rolls just like if youre pressing the clutch. idk if the slave is not releasing, or if the pressure plate is not working. can somebody help me? also, if i have it in 1st gear, if i rev the engine to a hi rpm, it crawls a little. is this due to hydraulics, or mechanical?

 

[Cobraguy]

First, you're sure the trans is shifting right? It's not stuck in neutral with the shifter broken? (highly unlikely) Next, you need to make sure your transfer case is engaged. It's not in neutral, is it? If these two are good, then your clutch is gone from what you describe and it's going to have to be replaced. Sounds like the disc has lost it's lining. You might find a pile of friction material in the bottom of the bell housing.

 

[gijoecam]

Ditto. First, if it's a 4x4, check to see that the transfer case is not in neutral. It's quite possible that the clutch is shot. If it goes into any gear with the clutch engaged, I suspect a bad link between the engine and transmission input, which would be the clutch.

It's rare for the clutch to suddenly fail like that, but not impossible. I did it to a '90 Ranger by accidentally shifting from 5th to 1st (instead of 3rd) at 50+ mph. That over-revved the input shaft and the friction material on the clutch disc disintegrated. When they dropped the transmission bell housing, it looked like somebody had left a pile of ground-up Oreo cookies inside the housing... It was just a clutch job.

Good luck!

-Joe

 

[Cobraguy]

Wow. That's ugly Joe. Lucky all you lost was a clutch. We had a vertical gate shifter fail in the race car once. I went from 2nd to 1st instead of 3rd. Wide open throttle. Took the engine out. Your clutch coming apart may have saved your engine!