MK1 stag - clutch plate stuck !!!

[highplaindrifter]

although ive had this before, the clutch plate is stuck on my MK1 stag !!!! ARRGGHHHH, ive tried the usual putting a stick on the clutch overnight, getting he rred hot and crashing the box to see if it frees but nope, its solid. Problem is the MOT has lapsed, and i need it free to get her for a ticket !!!
Does anyone have a reasonably quick fix idea without opening the bell housing up ?

[IroningMan]

Put the back up on stands, put it in gear, start the engine and let the rear wheels spin, then depress the clutch and dab the brakes - not so as to stall the engine, but hard enough to put a shock though the driveline.

You may need to use 2nd or 3rd to make it work.

[Jaged]

Can you see the clutch through any opening?
If you can, spray with freezing spray used for central heating pipes.
Old trick was to use a CO2 fire extinguisher to freeze them.

Just thinking of getting a Stag myself!
Not seen it yet, but been standing for 5 years!

Good Luck

[highplaindrifter]

cant see through any opening, im going to jack her on axle stands and run for a while, hopefully the plate will free (or fall off the stands and go through the garage wall !!)

[dycecooper]

Trolley jack, jack it up, start it up in 5th gear take it up to a decent speed and get someone to drop the jack, it might take a couple of tries but it rarely fails.

You can also start the car in gear and drive it a bit with your foot on the clutch and throttle off and on, this also works well.

[highplaindrifter]

cheers, id have a job as its only got 4 cogs !!! im going to try the jack it up and run it for a while in 4th hopefully that should sort it as its nose in the garage !! need the clutch free to drive it to the MOT station also !
PS if it all goes wrong, i like the red seedless variety !

[SHIFTY]

Had a Stag for over 14 years, this happended to me re the clutch plate sticking.

Not really what you may want to hear I did try the bit about jacking up, reving the enginge braking whilst in gear etc.

I had to remove the gearbox to free up the clutch plate, when I took off the clutch cover assembly a slight tap and the plate fell away from the flywheel.

From then on I made sure I started the car and moved the car every week in and out of the garage