My wife and I made an 80 mile round trip in my truck last Thursday hauling a load of scrap steel on my flatbed trailer. On the way home, we pulled off the road to let some cars pass. When i went to pull back on the road I couldn't get the transmission in gear, the clutch wasn't releasing. I crawled under to check the linkage and everything looked fine. I noticed that I had about 2- 2 1/2" of free play in the pedal and I could start it in gear with the clutch pedal depressed and it wouldn't move, but the clutch engaged as soon as I moved the pedal off of the floor. I drove it home and raked a few gears along the way. I adjusted the clutch today and had it set with just under an inch of free play. I started the engine and all seemed fine the first couple of times that I depressed the clutch. Now I probably have 2-3" of free play again and it will not go in gear with the engine running. I had the disc and pressure plate rebuilt and installed a new US made BCA throwout bearing when I installed the engine and transmission in the truck. The clutch is still smooth. It hasn't made any noise. I don't know if the clutch release yoke is cracked, if the pressure plate failed or if I lost a facing off of the disc. It looks like I will be pulling the transmission. Any ideas?
Thanks, Mark

 

Is the clutch fork ok , no cracks or bent ?

 

naturally, a few questions first. You've got a Mercedes Diesel in there? Super interesting. Did you use a Ford or Mercedes clutch and transmission? It sounds like you have the old Ford clutch and transmission mated to the Mercedes, but it is good to be certain. I know a bit about Mercedes and am a newbie on the Ford clutch. I suspect I may bow out as soon as you tell me it's a Ford clutch.

BTW: "other stuff" in my signature includes a Mercedes R107 waiting for a 4-speed stick upgrade.

 

Check all linkage between the pedal and the fork (and the fork itself if you can) before pulling the trans. Something is bending.

 

I need to pull the transmission cover and the small access cover on the bellhousing to look. I will double check the linkage tomorrow before I pull the covers. I'm wondering now if the pin in the clutch fork isn't sheared or shearing.
Thanks, Mark

 

Yes, I have a OM617 turbo diesel from an '84 car. I have the engine mated to a T98 4 speed. The clutch is a stock '40-'52 Ford 11" clutch. What is an R107 Mercedes? I'm not familiar with that one.
Thanks, Mark

 

Everything looked ok when I adjusted the clutch today, but I will double check it tomorrow. I want to make sure that the arm on the release lever is not cracked and I missed it today. I'm sure hoping that it is something external.
Thanks, Mark

 

That's very interesting, points for bravery. R107 is the body designation that includes the venerable 350SL. Mine is from 1972.

 

Is this what you have?
https://www.lmctruck.com/1948-56-for...tch-components


This is a '56, but should be the same according to the diagram linked above.
Clutch is disengaged in the picture.

 

Make certain the engine mounts are holding the engine where it was when you set it all up.

 

Check the bushings at the ball pivot on the frame, too.

 

Steve, The '52 and earlier clutch linkage is totally different that the '56. here is a photo of mine.

The arm that is upright is connected to the pedal by an adjustable rod.
Thanks, Mark

 

Thanks, Ray I will check those.
Thanks again, Mark

 

Those were all new when I assembled the truck. I will double check them though.
Thanks, Mark

 

That sounds like a very interesting project! Would love to see photos.
Mark