Clutch cable too short?

[Ghost001]

UPDATE: I fixed it, by grinding 2/3 of an inch off the quadrant. Now it works great!

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Hello,

I installed a Maximum Motorsports quadrant, and a Fiore firewall adjuster.

I am trying to install a Maximum Motorsports cable, the universal Ford OEM one, which is supposed to work with their quadrant.

I have the firewall adjuster screwed all the way in, so that the cable has maximum slack.

However, it looks like I'll have to pull the fork about an inch forward, in order to get the cable on the fork.

Is this normal?

It seems like, with the firewall adjuster all the way in, I shouldn't have to pull the fork forward, in order to get the cable onto it.

I believe that the Fiore firewall adjuster is slightly thicker than the Maximum Motorsports firewall adjuster, but only a few millimeters at most, I think.

The reason I ask, is that I'm having a hard time bending the fork forward enough, because it's hard to get a crowbar at the correct angle. Also, it seems like the cable will be too tight, even if I do finally get it onto the fork.

I believe that I have the cable routed correctly.

I'm wondering if the cable is too short. Could it be a manufacturing defect? Or maybe something weird about my car? My car is pretty much bone stock.

 

[HISSIN50]

If a rubber grommet came with the cable (The grommet would be at the firewall), was it removed?

Good luck.

 

[Ghost001]

Nope, it didn't come with a firewall grommet.

I'm thinking about going to Pep Boys, and getting a cable from there. The sell a brand called "Motormite", but unfortunately it's not adjustable. However, maybe it will be longer.

If that doesn't work, then maybe I'll grind the quadrant, or order the steeda adjustable cable.

I've heard bad things about adjustable cables, but some people seem to have had some success with the Steeda adjustable cable.

 

[Ghost001]

Well, I tried the Pep Boys clutch cable, which is supposed to work for the 88 Mustang, and it's even shorter than the Maximum Motorsports cable.

There must be something weird about my particular car.

Maybe I'll try to decrease the length of the cable sheath. Or maybe I'll try cutting/grinding the quadrant, to make the hook closer to the firewall.

 

[HISSIN50]

If you haven't already, try shooting Jeremy Thompson (V8 only) a PM - he's played with many of the cable, quadrant and FWA combos out there.

He might have some insight. I personally dont like the idea of trimming the sheath.......... an alternative would be nice. Or call MM tomorrow.

Good luck.

 

[Ghost001]

I agree HISSIN, it does seem like a bad idea, to trim the sheath. In fact, as you probably remember, a broken sheath on my stock clutch cable is what got me into this mess, in the first place.

So...I decided to grind the quadrant, about 2/3 of an inch, so now the quadrant hook is 2/3 of an inch closer to the firewall. In other words, I started grinding where the hook is, and just made the hook very very deep into the quadrant. Now it works great!

 

[Ghost001]

By the way, now my dust cover won't fit, because the Maximum Motorsports cable has a very long metal piece on the end. Oh well, I guess it's okay to leave the dust cover off.

Also, I'm not entirely happy with the way the MM quadrant is now, because I had to remove so much material, and because MM decided to cut out a big hole near the area where I had to grind. It looks less sturdy now, although I guess it's probably fine.

So, I may order the Fiore quadrant. Or maybe the Steeda double hook quadrant.

 

[HISSIN50]

I had to do a little machining on my UPR single hook quadrant and it didnt feel good to me either - I enlarged one of the bosses and it was getting close to the edge of the quadrant. Seems to be ok though.

I also dont run a dust/inspection cover - the car never had it when I got it. It doesnt bother me, though I have meant to fab one up just for the sake of doing so.

 

[Ghost001]

Cool, I guess I won't worry about the dust cover.

I guess I probably won't worry about the quadrant either, because I've got other stuff I want to do.