Clutch stuck

[LKTraz]

0

It has 'rusted' on I have been informed since it was last use, at the beginning of the year.

What?

Clutches don't just "rust" and surely don't degrade in a matter of months.

I have had vehicles sit unused for 5 or more years and never had a problem with the clutch.

Ok......

A clutch assembly consists of:

Flywheel face.
Clutch disc.
Clutch plate.
Throwout bearing.

The flywheel is connected directly to the rear of the engine crankshaft and this transfers the rotational horsepower from the engine.

The clutch disc is a metal disc with friction material (similar to brake pads) attached to both sides and sits in between the flywheel and clutch plate.

The clutch plate is a metal housing with multiple spring "fingers" at its center. These springs force the disc and flywheel together which then "transmits" (hence the term transmission) engine power to the driven axle(s) and allows the vehicle to move.

The throwout bearing slides on a shaft called the spline and is connected to the shift fork. The fork is connected through linkage to the clutch pedal.

When the pedal is depressed the throwout bearing presses against the springs and thereby releases the tension which lets the disc separate from the flywheel and interrupts the transfer of power.

When the clutch is released the springs once again force the disc and flywheel together and power is once again supplied to the driven axle(s).

The entire assembly is sealed inside the bell housing and protected from dirt, grime and moisture.

That being the case......rust is unlikely as a cause of your problem.