Re: Non releasing 105 clutch

[Chris.Prael@domain.elided (Chris Prael)]

From: "Mark Battley" <m.battley@domain.elided>

> The clutch on my 74 2000 GT Veloce has decided that it doesn't want to
> release, at least that's what it feels like.
> 
> Story so far: I was giving the car a mild Italian tune up on a twisty bit of
> road near home, went to change from 3rd to 4th, wouldn't go into 4th... or
> any other gear. Coasted to a stop, still wouldn't engage any gear with
> engine running, would with engine stopped. After trying a few gears it
> suddenly went into gear with a slight graunch (typical of gear engagement
> with overworked syncros), and an odd scraping/rattling(?) noise. And then
> behaved perfectly for the rest of the drive home... 
> 
> Went to go out again a hour later, same again, wouldn't engage any gear.
> Seems like a stuck clutch: can feel the syncros trying to do their stuff, if
> I push a bit harder get the expected graunch. Hydraulics are working,
> release lever is moving far enough, clutch weight and travel feel normal.
> Won't release even without motor running. I've had as much of a peer into
> the bellhousing as is possible, can't see anything obvious. Tried starting
> the car in gear, just moves the car, although did a hear some of the odd
> scraping/rattling(?) noise again.
> 
> Any guesses? Anything else I should check before pulling it apart?

This sounds most like a broken pressure plate assembly.  I had a similar
experience in my lamented '63 Giulia Sprint about 30 years ago.  

I doubt that you will get this right without pulling the gearbox.  Before you
remove it, drain the lubricant to clear out all the little bits of steel that
you just ground off the gearbox parts.  That way you won't get any large bit
stuck in a gear set where it can break more teeth.  (I saw a gearbox out of a
Spider last week where the mechanic had forgotten that point.  The result was
very ugly.)

I would also suggest that you learn how to double-clutch.  That would have
saved your gearbox from making nasty (and expensive) sounds on the way home.
It will also extend the life of the synchros.

chrisp

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