Clutch suddenly went stiff, now can’t get it into gear!

[KevA]

Hi everyone, this is my first post, been lurking in the shadows for some time and been finding the forum so useful to find problems and fixing my beloved V70 resembling Triggers broom! However I’m in a bit of a pickle with this issue, if anyone had any ideas or pointers I’m most grateful!

The V70 broke down 2 days ago on the way to work, the clutch pedal suddenly went really stiff when coming into a 20mph zone, I managed to coast it down the hill into a side street. I then couldn’t get it into any gear with the engine running. Had to get recovered back home by the RAC.

Brake/clutch fluid levels seem fine, haven’t suddenly dropped, clutch was working fine without any issue up till now, just suddenly went. Was changing gear fine as well up till now, maybe been a tiny little stiff between 1st and 2nd but nothing drastic, no noises or crunches etc. I noticed that there appears to have been a very slight leak round the left driveshaft seal for a bit, had been meaning to top it up till this happened, I doubt that would have been a playing factor would it?

I’ve been scouring the forums for some answers but everything I find has been for slipping clutches, or spongy soft clutch pedals, I can’t find anything about the pedal being so hard to press you need to stand on it (I have been avoiding that to prevent further damage!)

If it was the clutch cylinders that would be normally be making the pedal soft wouldn’t it?
RAC reckons it might be the fingers/teeth of the pressure plate could have broken round the bearing? Obviously can’t tell without taking it all apart.

Just annoying that it went so suddenly without any warning, it’s not like I’ve been thrashing it or not paying attention to any warning signs.

It’s a 2009 V70 D5 manual with M66 gearbox with 146k miles. The whole family love it and I’ve put all my effort into it, sadly this this issue is way beyond my limited skills

If anybody has an idea, I’d really appreciate it, as now I’m stuck with a rather nice looking but completely immobile Swedish art piece on the drive!

Thanks
Kev