CLUTCH

[toneypenna]

Looking for some thought s on a problem I'm having with the clutch om 64 230 SL 4 speed .
With engine off I can shift into all four gears and reverse. With  engine running cannot get into any of the four gears, and grinds if I attempt to put it in reverse.
Clutch fork moves when clutch is depressed.

I've had this car about 8 months and although have only driven it sparingly for testing while working on it, there was  never any indication of a clutch problem. Before I had the car shipped to me the car had been sitting about 9 months and I was told that the clutch had stuck. It was flatbed to a shop where they supposedly freed the clutch up in order to load it on the transport truck. I never got a detailed explanation and assumed it was due to the long idle period.
Now that it has happened again I'm looking to address the problem. Any help or guidance will be greatly appreciated.

Jim

[Cees Klumper]

I would suspect the pressure plate has broken, or perhaps the fork where it meets the release bearing?

[ja17]

Sounds like the clutch disc has stuck again. Rust can form on the flywheel surface during long periods of damp storage. Then the clutch disc becomes rusted to the flywheel. With the engine off, put the car in second gear and with your foot on the brake and your emergency brake set, activate the starter with the clutch pedal all the way down. Be prepared as the car may lurch forward. If the clutch disc becomes free your problem is solved. Repeat as needed. When the problem is resolved, driving the car will clean the rust from the clutch assembly. If you don't drive the car afterward. It will probably stick again.

[toneypenna]

Joe
Other things took precedence over the Holiday Weekend and just got back to the Benz.
Did what you suggested and it worked. Only difference was I left it on the lift and ran it in second with the clutch depressed and heard the disc break loose. Thanks so much for the tip, I never would have thought of it. I was over thinking and complicating it to the point of pulling the trans to free it.
Since this has happened twice, once after lack of use for about 9 Months stored in a house attached garage in Maine and now after about 3 weeks of non use in my shop garage here in  Florida. When I can get to it , I'm thinking of actually pulling the trans and checking checking the clutch out visually. If need be I'll have the flywheel machined,  replace the disc and also check out the condition of the pressure plate. Before this sticking incident, I had been periodically working and test driving the car sporadically so I'm at a loss as to why the disc would stick after sitting idle for only 3 weeks. I wouldn't want this to keep reoccurring.
As always I greatly appreciate your sharing your knowledge and expertise with me.
FYI: I see on the list of your collection you have a couple of Mercedes Unimogs. There is an 85 1300L currently for sale on Hemmings, I believe it's been converted to a camper. Thought it  might interest you.

Jim

[Benz Dr.]

I've seen these cars sit for years and not stick. My own car has never done that over a winter in storage.

Have your flywheel ground if it needs it. Much smaller amount removed that way and it will grind right through hard spots of which there will be many. Make sure you have them grind the stepped surface where the pressure plate sits. There's a critical dimension between the upper and lower surface which is in the workshop manual.

[ja17]

Thanks Jim and your welcome. As far as adding another Unimog to the collection, I think the wife would object. However since it is a camper, I could live in it when she throws me out of the house!

[toneypenna]

Thank You for the tip.

[toneypenna]

Joe

Just thought you might be interested in looking at it, although you could always blame me for pointing it out to you.
Don't know anything about the unimogs but it seems to me whoever owns it is pretty proud of it judging by the price.

Jim