Some time ago my celica clutch started refusing to disengage fully. It was
enough to drive but it dragged a little between shifts and in first it was
noticably engine-braking despite having the pedal on the floor. I tried to
ignore it (its an engine-out job on the 4wd and i dont have the time or
patience at the moment!) but something made a nasty clunk about 6 months
ago and the engine/clutch was then off-balance at about 1200rpm (and
probably the other harmonics but you cant feel it). Well I drove around for
a while with this vibration but I've used the car less and less until its
once a week at most.

Unfortunately I took her out yesterday and while sat at the lights something
finally gave way and it refuses to engage without having the car moving or
the engine stopped. I have very light pedal feel. I assume its the pressure
plate failed but cant be sure - so unfortunately I now have to get her down
the drive and pull her to bits (after rebuilding the spare gearbox). The
problem is I cant decide whether to go for a stock replacement clutch
(normal organic full disk ($500 equivelent) or a cerametallic puck-style
clutch, and whether I'll need a new flywheel seeing as I've had major
juddering and problems for a while. Think I'll go normal with lightened
fly but Im wondering if anyone has hints on what makes NOT to buy Was
considering Exedy.

Any info welcome!
J

On Wed, 17 Jan 2007 22:44:50 +0000, Coyoteboy wrote:

> Some time ago my celica clutch started refusing to disengage fully. It was
> enough to drive but it dragged a little between shifts and in first it was
> noticably engine-braking despite having the pedal on the floor. I tried to
> ignore it (its an engine-out job on the 4wd and i dont have the time or
> patience at the moment!) but something made a nasty clunk about 6 months
> ago and the engine/clutch was then off-balance at about 1200rpm (and
> probably the other harmonics but you cant feel it). Well I drove around
> for a while with this vibration but I've used the car less and less until
> its once a week at most.
>
> Unfortunately I took her out yesterday and while sat at the lights
> something finally gave way and it refuses to engage without having the car
> moving or the engine stopped. I have very light pedal feel. I assume its
> the pressure plate failed but cant be sure - so unfortunately I now have
> to get her down the drive and pull her to bits (after rebuilding the spare
> gearbox). The problem is I cant decide whether to go for a stock
> replacement clutch (normal organic full disk ($500 equivelent) or a
> cerametallic puck-style clutch, and whether I'll need a new flywheel
> seeing as I've had major juddering and problems for a while. Think I'll
> go normal with lightened fly but Im wondering if anyone has hints on what
> makes NOT to buy Was considering Exedy.
>
> Any info welcome!
> J


Just off the top of my head, did you check the Master/Slave cylinders?

Usually when the pedal goes to the floor with no pressure, one of these is
the culprit.

And, check the fork that the slave cylinder engages. See if you can move
it freely with your hand.