Clutch -- doesnt work at all....

R

raceat8400

New Member

May 24, 2004

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May 24, 2004

#1

• May 24, 2004

• #1

Just wondering if anyone has any ideas what the problem might be.

My clutch started grabbing higher and higher to where at one point I could just push the clutch petal in 1'' to shift gears. I adjusted it to give me 3-4'' of clutch travel. That lasted about 2 days, then it got worse and worse until as it is now, I can push the clutch to the floor, and it doesnt disengage at all(AKA it wont shift).

It seems like the tranny is okay. I can shift without the clutch with the motor off.
I've looked at the z-bar thinking maybe it was cracked, but it looks like it moves okay when I push in the petal.

Any ideas?

 

2nd Mustang

Founding Member

Feb 24, 2002

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Southern California

May 24, 2004

#2

• May 24, 2004

• #2

3-4 inches of pedal play is too much. I adjust mine to about 3/4 inch to and inch (I think is what the manual suggests). At 3-4 inches, the throw out bearing maybe having trouble disengaging the clutch. The z-bar may also be twisted and worn, which will in the end break parts. My twisted bar snapped the cotter pin holding the clutch rod to the clutch pedal assembly and then no pedal at all! I'd say adjust the pedal play first, then see if it is better. With too much play, you'll also hear the throw out bearing spinning and making a clanging noise when driving and go away when you press on the pedal.

 

R

raceat8400

New Member

May 24, 2004

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May 24, 2004

#3

• May 24, 2004

• #3

I'll take a look at it and see if I can give it any more play.

The thing that bothers me is that last time the play I gave it disapeared very quickly(60 miles or so).
It seemed like every time I shifted it would grap a little closer to the top until the clutch wouldnt work at all.

I wondering if maybe the zbar is bending...

 

65 fastback

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Mar 17, 2002

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May 24, 2004

#4

• May 24, 2004

• #4

My bet is on the Z-bar. I used to keep an extra Z-bar in my trunk, because mine kept bending or breaking at the weld. I finally took it in and had a welder add some bracing to it.

Have someone sit in the car and depress the clutch while you look at the operation of the Z-bar.

Tim

 

coolblue65

Founding Member

Jul 26, 1999

1,224

2

39

Algonquin, IL

May 24, 2004

#5

• May 24, 2004

• #5

Do you have a stock clutch or an upgraded aftermarket?

I had the same problem when I put in a new HD clutch, and like everyone said it was the z-bar, I have bent 2. Now I use a diaphragm style that requires a lot less pedal effort so it shouldn't bend anything anymore.

 

R

raceat8400

New Member

May 24, 2004

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May 24, 2004

#6

• May 24, 2004

• #6

Its a hayes performance clutch which is a lot heavier clutch than stock. I'll have to look at the z-bar again.

 

D

D.Hearne

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Sep 29, 2000

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south louisiana

May 24, 2004

#7

• May 24, 2004

• #7

In addition to checking the Z bar, also check ALL the clutch linkage parts for wear. If none of the linkage parts have been changed, it's a good bet that it's time to rebuild the whole system, from the pedal support to the clutch fork. Replace all worn parts and bushings especially the pot metal pedal support bushings or better yet just replace the pedal support.

 

R

raceat8400

New Member

May 24, 2004

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Jun 1, 2004

#8

• Jun 1, 2004

• #8

I added more clutch travel this weekend. I think its adjusted all the way out now, and the clutch starts to grab right in the middle of the petal travel.

One thing I noticed is when its idling in neutral with the clutch out, it sometimes makes a clicking sound. If I push the clutch in just .5'' the clicking goes away. And sometimes it doesnt do it at all.

I'm guessing this might be the throwout bearing? If so, will it cause any damange to leave it like that for a few months?

 

D

D.Hearne

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Sep 29, 2000

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south louisiana

Jun 1, 2004

#9

• Jun 1, 2004

• #9

It's just the throwout bearing rattling, nothing to worry about. But I'll bet that within a month, you'll be looking for more adjustment in the clutch.

 

2nd Mustang

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Feb 24, 2002

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Southern California

Jun 1, 2004

#10

• Jun 1, 2004

• #10

raceat8400 said:

I added more clutch travel this weekend. I think its adjusted all the way out now, and the clutch starts to grab right in the middle of the petal travel.

One thing I noticed is when its idling in neutral with the clutch out, it sometimes makes a clicking sound. If I push the clutch in just .5'' the clicking goes away. And sometimes it doesnt do it at all.

I'm guessing this might be the throwout bearing? If so, will it cause any damange to leave it like that for a few months?

Click to expand...

I still think you have too much play in the pedal (free travel before engaging). It should be more like 3/4 inch or about an inch. Too much play will allow the throwout bearing to dance around and make an unsettling sound. I think if you have too much free travel, the adjusting rod (original Z-bar setup) might fall out of the arm.