Clutch Question for the Experts

[damacman]

About three months ago, before the blower, a noise began to come from under the car when I was looking for a parking spot. The noise was present only at the bottom of whichever gear I was in - almost lugging the motor, but not quite. This has gotten progressively worse over time with the noise getting louder and present at idle to about 1,200 RPM with the vehicle out of gear, but the clutch fully released. Applying slight pressure to the clutch pedal would stop it.

Today, I popped it up and removed the inspection cover. The noise is being made by the release fork smacking the cover. All that I see appears in good condition - was thinking that a finger on the pressure plate was making the noise . . . I moved the inspection cover slightly so that the release fork wouldn't smack it, and the noise is gone. However, the release fork moves ALOT! How much should this move? Mine moves like 3/4" inch each direction at idle with the clutch out and the vehicle in neutral. Is this normal or is this a sign of a worn part? It moves enough that it actually shakes the car at about 1k RPM . . .

 

[Mike97gt]

you should not be able to move the clutch fork back and forth. are you talking about front to back movement or up and down.

if it's front to back movement you need to adjust the clutch cable tighter

 

[damacman]

This is not forward / rearward movement. The release fork moves from side to side - like rotating around the input shaft.

 

[Mike97gt]

the clutch fork and pivot ball are damaged. it should not have movement this way. you need to replace them both.

 

[Turbo92PGT]

try to push UP on the fork, straight up. Sometimes they slide off the pivot ball.

 

[Barrier]

Yeah sounds like the fork has either slid off the pivot ball or one or both are broken... try pulling the fork out from the tranny then smacking it back inwards... that might help it set... man I remember that thing being a bitch to get on there.

 

[Mike97gt]

you can try this. but usually when they slip off is either the cable was way to loose and let too much movement of the fork or the pivot ball is worn way down.

 

[Mike97gt]

damacman posted in another topic but never posted the results in his topic.

he had his pivot ball break off. the pivot ball wearing down is common but not breaking off. most of the time you will see grooves in it.

everytime you do a clutch you should at least check the fork and pivot ball. personally i would not do a clutch without replacing them.

 

[twogts4us]

I REALLY appreciate your input on this subject, SVTTECH76 - I saw your post elsewhere and it prompted us to also order, along with a much needed new clutch kit and flywheel, a pivot ball and clutch fork. I don't want to have to drop the trannie again for a long time. (And thanks to Randy for handling the order!)

 

[Mike97gt]

No problem I am glad to help. now i refuse to do a mustang clutch without a pivot ball and fork.

 

[Hunter-White]

Can I replace the pivot ball and fork without taking out the trannie? And where do I get a pivot ball and fork?

 

[Mike97gt]

No trans has to be pulled back at least to replace them. Thats why it should be done when the clutch is swaped.

 

[Hunter-White]

When I get on the car just a lil bit, it will start to give a vibration in the pedal and it will just get worse and worse if I keep gettin on it. Also there is a rattlin sounding noise when the car is at idle. Could that be my prob?

 

[twogts4us]

And where do I get a pivot ball and fork?

Randy Stinchcomb here on StangNet or http://forums.modulardepot.com/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=9

 

[Mike97gt]

When I get on the car just a lil bit, it will start to give a vibration in the pedal and it will just get worse and worse if I keep getting on it. Also there is a rattling sounding noise when the car is at idle. Could that be my prob?

how far from the floor does the clutch start to engage ( car start to move) spec is no less than 1 inch.

Your clutch cable could be out of adjustment. Do you have a aftermarket quad and adjuster. if you do try tightening the cable. if not pull up on the pedal, if that don;t work then get a aftermarket quad/adjuster.

 

[Hunter-White]

I do have an aftermarket quadrant. I have a place under teh hood where I can adjust it. You think I should tighten it?