Help! Clutch Pedal won't release

[SilverJ]

96 D1 5 speed 105k mi.

Up until last week, there had been an annoying squeek every time I depressed the clutch. Yesterday I noticed I had to push the pedal almost all the way down in order to shift. Just a little while ago today I tried to put it in 4-low, thinking that I might be able to release it. It didn't work, and now I can't get it into gear at all. Is my clutch going out, or is it just stuck? I haven't noticed any other symptoms-truck has been running like a champ. Up until this point I've never had any trouble getting it into gear.

For what it's worth (maybe it's just a coincidence) but two days ago I finally got around to washing my truck after the rally. I also was sure to wash the undercarriage and I used some gunk-out in my engine compartment (only near my power steering pump because of a minor leak there). Everywhere else in the engine I just used the spray nozzle with water, avoiding things like the ECU, air intake, plugs, etc. Could this somehow have something to do with my clutch getting sticky? Would getting to the bell housing and giving everything under there a good lube help?

Normally I wouldn't post a question like this, but Craig doesn't get home from his hunting trip until tonight. I'd like to have a better idea of what's going on.

Cheers,

Jacquelyne

 

[antichrist]

Sounds like the Master or slave is starting to go, or a combination. With a clamp (I use needle nose vise grips with the teeth ground off, PepBoys sells special hose clamps that will work, 2 for like $5) clamp the flexible hose between the master and slave. Depress the clutch pedal, if it's rock hard (it should be) it's most likely the slave cyl. If it's mushy, it's the master most likely.
The flexible hoses can also swell internally, when they are old, and cause a mushy pedal.
If you replace just the master, or just the slave, be prepared to replace the other before too long as the new unit causes the older weaker one to eventually give out too.

 

[Sirfoss]

Some Thing Else

I agree with antichrist but there is another part. The squeek while depressing the pedal.....I would believe this to be the throw out bearing and or fork. When the bearing goes out it can stick to the end of the shaft causing no pressure in the pedal then no clutch.
If that is the case might as well replace the clutch also.
Mike

 

[SilverJ]

Thanks guys

Mike, do you happen to have a rebuilt or usable clutch lying around? I figure I might as well ask since we seem to have accumulated quite a bit of disco stuff from you as of late! Just another project for Craig to do; he's gonna LOVE this!!!

Cheers,
Jacquelyne