Clutch Cable or the whole Clutch?

[90mustangGT]

I don't know how old the clutch on my cars is but it's been on there since I bought it with 93K miles, it now is around 150K miles. Grabs good, no slipping or anything but it has been getting harder and harder to shift, it acts as though the clutch isn't pressed in all the way, and I mean you have to have the pedal pushed hard against the floor to dissengage. I am thinking the cable might be streched.

I'd like to get a spec clutch, but I am trying to build a suspension right now and would like to do a TKO with all new coponents all at once maby this winter. I'll probally install the quardrant and firewall adjuster with a new cable, will this fix it???

 

[IMPORTSMOKER]

well... if you are on a low budget..just get the summit racing cable and firewall adjuster....I have hed for about 4 months now..and I like it...get one...or not??? hell it's your stang....

 

[87'GTstang]

If it is hard to engage/disengage, then you clutch isn't releasing all the way In other words find a way to take the "slack" out of the clutch cable to make it tighter by either using an adjstable clutch quadrant, firewall adjuster, and/or adjustable clutch cable.

 

[HISSIN50]

Jason, i know you know what is up, so i will keep my normal stupid questions to myself, as you have likely already thought of the same things i would think of.

that said, it might help us to know how much freeplay you do have? as 87Gt eludes to, you might not be disengaging the clutch all the way.

now, i bet you have thought of that...so im not sure.
in any case, with your plans, a new cable, quadrant, and FWA sound good. i assume you are gonna go with a stock cable (judging by the FWA plans - nice choice, IMHO).

BTW, you dont have the stock quadrant still, do ya?

anyhow, i would swap the stuff you plan to and go from there; that, to me, sounds like the most likely culprits....

good luck with the mods, bud.

 

[GTRocks]

Sounds like you still have the stock cable/quadrant. It is quite possible that your quadrant is starting to separate. I would go ahead and replace it with an adjustable cable. Could be lots of other things from the tranny, to a clutch fork, etc. but I'd start at the quadrant since that's the weakest link.

 

[v8only]

lots of miles on that clutch. I wouldn't tear it apart just yet though. Like everyones mentioned, getting the aftermarket adjustable setup should cure your blues. The most popular and best imo are the steeda double hook quadrant and firewall adjuster, or the upr setup. Retain your non adjustable cable.

For now, though try pulling UP on the clutch pedal with your foot, then press it back down. this adjusts the stock setup. that may be all you need to fix the problem, though I would still suggest the aftermarket setup. I wrote a really good article on clutch adjustment procedure for the stock and aftermarket setup, and also discuss the aftermarket quadrant/adjuster setup and what to buy, worth the read.

http://50stangs.com/techarticles/clutchcableadjustment.html

 

[87'GTstang]

BTW, you dont have the stock quadrant still, do ya?

anyhow, i would swap the stuff you plan to and go from there; that, to me, sounds like the most likely culprits....

good luck with the mods, bud.

I totally forgot all about that plastic wonder. As well and solid as these cars were built, why in the world did they have to put those wonderful headlamp lenses, that damn quarter window molding, and the plastic quadrant that deals with all that foot pressure for the clutch......

 

[HISSIN50]

I totally forgot all about that plastic wonder. As well and solid as these cars were built, why in the world did they have to put those wonderful headlamp lenses, that damn quarter window molding, and the plastic quadrant that deals with all that foot pressure for the clutch......

dont forget all the great wiring! LOL. does one-step thicker AWG cost that much more!

 

[v8only]

thats why I own an 86 gt, no plastic headlights, no quarter window trim problems, etc

 

[90mustangGT]

Thanks everyone. I think I will just go ahead and install the MM quadrant and firewall adjuster I have sitting in the garage and order a new clutch cable. The Maximum Motorsports kit came with one but when I was backing the car out one day it fell down under the tire and the plastic part where the FWA connects split in two, I was pissed because it was a FRPP which is like $70. I think I will just order another Ford Cable from summit. If it doesn't work, well it needed to be replaced anyways. Win/Win situation.

Thanks again for all your help.