Clutch Problem

[rsweld]

All right guys here's my problem: I just installed the Clutch assist spring under the dash and installed the clutch return spring under the car. Prior to doing this the clutch worked fine, other than it was very difficult to push, now when I push the clutch pedal the pedal will not return to the clutch pedal stop, it will come off the floor about 3/4"s of the way. When it comes up this far I went under the car, removed the clutch return spring to check free play between the push rod and clutch fork their is none telling me the clutch is partially dis-engaged. if I pull the clutch pedal up to the stop then check again I have about 1/2" free play at the clutch fork. I then adjusted the clutch free travel so that when the clutch pedal returns 3/4 the way off the floor at the clutch fork I have about 1/2" free play telling me that the clutch is fully engaged. The clutch linkage is free and not bound. any ideas why the pedal will not return to the clutch stop under the dash?

 

[rbohm]

sounds to me like the pedal support bushings are shot. you will have to pull the pedal support to replace them.

 

[rsweld]

Is ther any way to check the pedal support bushings without the hassle of removing the support? Can the support be removed with the pedals still attached? I also noticed that when the pedal came of the floor 3/4 the wat that from under the car it took all I had to push the clutch fork forwar to completely dis-engage the clutch, could it be something with the clutch itself?

 

[D.Hearne]

Is ther any way to check the pedal support bushings without the hassle of removing the support? Can the support be removed with the pedals still attached? I also noticed that when the pedal came of the floor 3/4 the wat that from under the car it took all I had to push the clutch fork forwar to completely dis-engage the clutch, could it be something with the clutch itself?

Stick your head up under the dash with a light and check em. It's not rocket surgery. The support will come out with the pedals attached. 4 bolts in the front (firewall side) and 2 or 4 up inside the dash end. The factory bushings are pot-metal and do not last forever. I changed my first set on a 67 Stang about 25 years ago. The car was about 15 years old then and the bushings were shot.

 

[65 fastback]

Did you just install a new diaphram style clutch? This is really quite common when going from a stiff 3-finger old style clutch to the newer diaphram style clutch. The under dash spring is actually an assist spring and is used to reduce the effort in depressing the clutch pedal. If you are having a problem with the pedal not returning, you can remove the spring and operate the clutch without it. I have removed the under dash spring and do not plan to reinstall it.
That being said, you may still want to check out your pedal support bushings. I replaced mine with the Scott Drake roller bearing supports and could not be more pleased. I, also, upgraded my entire linkage to rod ends. My clutch linkage is very smooth and provides great feed back.

 

[rsweld]

No, the clutch is the old 3 finger style and has been in the car approx. 5 years, and has less than 15,000 miles on it. I think I will replace all the clutch pedal, brake pedal and Z bar bushing and see what happens. I just installed the assist spring as the clutch was very difficult to push without it and their hasn't been one in the car as long as iv'e owned better than 20 years. The real problem all along may have been worn bushings.

Ron