1993 golf clutch problems?

hi was wondering if anyone can help??? i have a 93 golf rabbit,it has a 1.8i singlepoint! not had any problems til now. pressed clutch and the peddle pulled away from my foot to the floor, you pull it up about an inch from the floor n it springs back to where it should be. cable and spring on my peddle is still connected at peddle and at box end. someone said it was better getn a new gear box n somebody else said that if i take the green cap on the end of the box,i could get to my problem. as it was a metal rod that ran throu the box onto a metal plate(looks like washer) thats got a hole in it but the rod is not ment to go throu the hole, its ment to push this plate(washer) to engage the clutch,but it is running throu the hole? i took the 4 bolts that hold this green cap on n took the cassing off n there was a couple of rods with cogs on them but no plate(washer)there! dont really want t take the next cassing as there will be loads of cogs n it will be a mental jigsaw puzzle!!! can anybody help or give me any advise. would be very greatfull. cheers.