Adjusting FRPP clutch cable, help!

sprite · Jun 13, 2011

I just got a Frpp cable and quadrant installed today and when I got in the car and was about to start it, just to realize the clutch adjustment was off. I went back inside and asked him about it and he was dead set on that it was as far as it can be adjusted, so I left and now I get to deal with it.
The problem is theres really not much resistance with the clutch pedal until its maybe a few inches from the floor and the clutch fully engages about 1/2 to 1 inch off the floor, anything higher than that and theirs no action.
Can anyone explain on how to adjust the cable to allow it to fully engage further from the floor?
Any help would be appreciated, this is the cable and quad I bought.
Ford Racing M-7553-B302 - Ford Racing V-8 Mustang Adjustable Clutch Linkage Kits - Overview - SummitRacing.com

ProKiller · Jun 13, 2011

get a firewall adjuster. that gives you more play in the cable to tighten or loosen it accordingly.

for example:
Firewall Cable Adjuster (79-04) at AmericanMuscle.com - Free Shipping!

revhead347 · Jun 13, 2011

Yeah, the clutch cable you have there is adjusted from underneath the car. You remove the dust cover, and there are two nuts behind the fork. The nut closest to the fork is the adjustment nut, and the nut behind it locks it down. Usually it is a 9/16" for the adjustment nut, and 1/2" for the locking nut. Use two wrenches, one on each nut to loosen the locking nut from the adjustment night. Then turn the adjustment nut clockwise to bring the clutch engagement higher up. when clutch engagement is at the desired area, lock the locking nut back down on the adjustment nut, and put the dustcover back on. It should be noted that the clutch fork should not be tight up against the clutch diaphram. You should be able to wiggle the clutch fork back and forth a little bit. It sounds like the guy who installed it didn't bother to adjust it at all.

Kurt

revhead347 · Jun 13, 2011

ProKiller said:
get a firewall adjuster. that gives you more play in the cable to tighten or loosen it accordingly.

for example:
Firewall Cable Adjuster (79-04) at AmericanMuscle.com - Free Shipping!

There should be no need to buy a firewall adjuster. That cable is designed to be adjusted without one. The firewall adjuster just makes it easier to adjust it after it's installed. In order to install a firewall adjuster, the whole cable has to essentially be taken back out again. If the OP didn't want to install the clutch cable himself, then chances are they aren't confident in doing the job.

Kurt

sprite · Jun 13, 2011

Thanks for all the quick answers. I was going to install it all myself along with a frpp driveshaft I just bought, but Im going out of town Thursday night/ Friday morning and needed it done asap and having never done it before I didnt want rush through it only for something to break 300+ miles from home. But it seems Im going to have to mess with it tomorrow anyway.
On top of him not adjusting it, he also half assed it. I went and just looked at the cable and the bracket that attaches the cable to the fenderwell, he just removed the new bracket, bent the old one and stuffed the new cable in and tried to bend it back in place. What ever happened to a good honest shop? There doesnt seem to be ANY by me.
Thanks again guys.

sprite · Jun 13, 2011

Well I just got done adjusting it myself with not a lot of difference. I tightened the adjustment nut until there was about 1/4 in of play in it and it was still just about the same. It feels as if you pulled the clutch pedal all the way up on the stock quadrant. Im kind of like ? right now, everything appeared to be good, Im nervous about tightening it anymore with thoughts of the fork or cable breaking...

revhead347 · Jun 14, 2011

Eh, give it a few more twists. You might want to check the structural integrity of his bracket job too. If it moves the cable can flex causing the same symptoms. Another thing I would check is the quadrant. The cable you posted came with a metal quadrant, which isn't hard to change out, but......judging by this mechanic's other work I would double check. Make sure he didn't leave the stock quadrant in, which is plastic.

Kurt

HISSIN50 · Jun 14, 2011

Since you're at the 1/4" spec that is usually specified, I agree with ensuring the correct metal quadrant is being used. I don't know about the newer cables but the old ones required a long-throw quadrant.

As was noted by Ryan, a FWA might band aid the current cable (acting as a shim).

I would see if you can order an MM kit instead.

revhead347 · Jun 14, 2011

HISSIN50 said:
I would see if you can order an MM kit instead.

I just sent an MM kit back. I wouldn't go that route.

Kurt

ProKiller · Jun 14, 2011

why's that Kurt? i have the MM cable and am really happy with it.

revhead347 · Jun 14, 2011

ProKiller said:
why's that Kurt? i have the MM cable and am really happy with it.

Weren't you the one who worked at American Muscle? I sent these pictures to American Muscle yesterday, and they sent me an RMA immediately. The MM cable was so far off, it wasn't even close. The cable did not have enough travel on it, it was at least 10 inches too long, and the mount for the inner fender was 5 inches too far down the cable so it made a huge kink under the hood. This is a picture of it sitting side by side with a BBK cable which had fit perfectly.

Kurt

sprite · Jun 14, 2011

Yes the metal quadrant is in, I saw the old one and the teeth on it were pretty well worn down. I had my buddy step on the clutch last night and watched the bracket and there was no movement. Ill try and adjust it a smidge more today. If that doesnt do it, Ill just have to ride it out until I come back from vacation and get a FWA. thanks again

HISSIN50 · Jun 14, 2011

revhead347 said:
I just sent an MM kit back. I wouldn't go that route.

Kurt

I saw your thread last night. There did not seem to be much interest in finding out what the actual issue was.

I stand by my recommendation. Tons of people have used the MM kit without issue.

revhead347 · Jun 14, 2011

HISSIN50 said:
I saw your thread last night. There did not seem to be much interest in finding out what the actual issue was.

I stand by my recommendation. Tons of people have used the MM kit without issue.

The actual issue is that the cable doesn't fit. When I talked to Steeda briefly today, they said there was a good chance it was mis packaged. So far the BBK has been the best fitting one I've had. The Steeda one was a lot better than the MM cable, but I had to reuse the fender mount bracket from the BBK cable. The Steeda bracket would not fit due to exhaust interference. It was also a little tighter on the top side, but usable.

Kurt

HISSIN50 · Jun 14, 2011

revhead347 said:
The actual issue is that the cable doesn't fit. When I talked to Steeda briefly today, they said there was a good chance it was mis packaged.

Kurt

You recommended not using the MM cable based upon your experience with such a cable, yet your experience sounds to have been based upon a cable for another application, not a reflection of the [correct] part.

revhead347 · Jun 14, 2011

HISSIN50 said:
You recommended not using the MM cable based upon your experience with such a cable, yet your experience sounds to have been based upon a cable for another application, not a reflection of the [correct] part.

I was being helpful. It's possible it got mis packaged, but there's a better chance MM got a bad batch of cables from their supplier. There's a good chance that many have had a good product from them before, but something has changed and now they are shipping the wrong thing. That's one of the main reasons people hang out on websites like this; to get up to date information on products. The picture says it all.

Kurt

HISSIN50 · Jun 14, 2011

You're right - the forums are great. One possible downside is that they can spread conjecture and misinformation.

The info you provided might be helpful if there was any backing behind it. As far as I know, it is, however, just your conjecture. Am I wrong?

sprite · Jun 14, 2011

I also noticed the clutch pedal is kind of floppy now. Theres about 3/4 - 1 in. of play from its resting place and upwards, floppy enough for it to rattle over bumps.

revhead347 · Jun 15, 2011

sprite said:
I also noticed the clutch pedal is kind of floppy now. Theres about 3/4 - 1 in. of play from its resting place and upwards, floppy enough for it to rattle over bumps.

That's due to the misadjustment. It's associated with it disengaging right off the floor. The clutch fork has a large range of motion where it is not even touching the clutch, which is where that sloppy feeling is from. Once you tighten up the cable, that will go away.

Kurt

revhead347 · Jun 15, 2011

HISSIN50 said:
You're right - the forums are great. One possible downside is that they can spread conjecture and misinformation.

The info you provided might be helpful if there was any backing behind it. As far as I know, it is, however, just your conjecture. Am I wrong?

I would say it's a mixture of both. The fact is they shipped me a bad cable, my conjecture is that they will possibly be shipping out bad cables in the future. On a side note, I am very happy with the way American Muscle is handling the issue. The first thing they requested was pictures, so that they could be aware of any problems in their product line up. They sent me an email today confirming that I did in fact get a bad cable, and they are contacting the manufacturer to resolve the problem as quickly as possible.

Kurt

Adjusting FRPP clutch cable, help!

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