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Drivetrain Clutch stopped working and went soft

  • Thread starter Thread starter AnthonyA1234
  • Start date Start date Jun 21, 2022
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AnthonyA1234

5 Year Member
Aug 17, 2020
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Jun 21, 2022
#1
  • Jun 21, 2022
  • #1
Was at a red light and when it went green and I went to put it in first gear it wouldn’t go in I was there pushing wondering what was up and I let my foot off the clutch and push it back in and realize it went completely soft. The clutch is super soft now and doesn’t work at all. I had to push it home thankfully I was 5 min away. What could this be is it the cable?
 

AnthonyA1234

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#2
  • Jun 21, 2022
  • #2
Also when I bought the car the cable was sort of hard I always just figured because it was a old school cable clutch. Also he car would slip out of gears.
 

AnthonyA1234

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#3
  • Jun 21, 2022
  • #3
The clutch still goes back to its original position it’s just very soft
 

General karthief

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair
20+ Year Stangneter
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#4
  • Jun 21, 2022
  • #4
Have someone push the pedal while you look at the lever in the bell housing, you may have to take the cover off if it's there, is it moving?
Can you see if the cable end is still connected to the lever?
 
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7991LXnSHO

wanna catch the space herp
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#5
  • Jun 21, 2022
  • #5
Serious, probably the cable. See if the other end is moving at the transmission.
Edit :?GK types faster than me.

Not serious, there are medicines for that.
 

AnthonyA1234

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#6
  • Jun 21, 2022
  • #6
General karthief said:
Have someone push the pedal while you look at the lever in the bell housing, you may have to take the cover off if it's there, is it moving?
Can you see if the cable end is still connected to the lever?
Click to expand...
Unfortunately the cable is still working. What else is a possibility?
 

AnthonyA1234

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Aug 17, 2020
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Jun 21, 2022
#7
  • Jun 21, 2022
  • #7
It’s very soft but I can still feel the bite point. No weird noises. It doesn’t work at all.
 

Noobz347

Stangnet Facilities Maint Tech... Er... Janitor
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#8
  • Jun 21, 2022
  • #8
General karthief said:
Have someone push the pedal while you look at the lever in the bell housing, you may have to take the cover off if it's there, is it moving?
Can you see if the cable end is still connected to the lever?
Click to expand...
So, you did this and what was the result? Does the clutch arm move or not?
 

AnthonyA1234

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#9
  • Jun 21, 2022
  • #9
Noobz347 said:
So, you did this and what was the result? Does the clutch arm move or not?
Click to expand...
The cable was still working it was pulling the clutch arm when the pedal was pushed
 

Wayne Waldrep

Before I post a pic, do you have one of yours?
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#10
  • Jun 21, 2022
  • #10
When you press the clutch do you ever feel the point where the clutch kinda feels like it's transitions to an easier feel? Reason I'm asking is I'm wondering if the cable is just stretching and never really pulling the arm all the way.
 

AnthonyA1234

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#11
  • Jun 21, 2022
  • #11
Not sure if this will help diagnose anything but my rear main seal began leaking a lot more than usual in the past few days
 

AnthonyA1234

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#12
  • Jun 21, 2022
  • #12
Wayne Waldrep said:
When you press the clutch do you ever feel the point where the clutch kinda feels like it's transitions to an easier feel? Reason I'm asking is I'm wondering if the cable is just stretching and never really pulling the arm all the way.
Click to expand...
I definitely still feel a bite point if that’s what you’re referring too. By this I mean that near the end of the clutch pedal travel (when it’s going towards the floor) I will feel it get firmer as it did before today. The whole press of the pedal is significantly softer though
 

Noobz347

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#13
  • Jun 21, 2022
  • #13
Wayne Waldrep said:
When you press the clutch do you ever feel the point where the clutch kinda feels like it's transitions to an easier feel? Reason I'm asking is I'm wondering if the cable is just stretching and never really pulling the arm all the way.
Click to expand...
... or if the pivot ball is broken.

 
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Pinellas50

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#14
  • Jun 22, 2022
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Does the car have the stock clutch quadrant or has it bern changed to an adjustable cable. If stock, mabey the quadrant slipped adjustment or broke. If stock, try resetting the adjustment by putting your foot under the clutch pedal and pulling the pedal up towatds you.
 
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96pushrod

I think they're a little easier to get off
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#15
  • Jun 22, 2022
  • #15



I actually had the exact same symptoms about 8 years ago in my 84. Turns out the clutch disc fell apart and kept the pressure plate from disengaging. The pedal just felt super soft like you’re describing though. Was a new one for me.
 
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manicmechanic007

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#16
  • Jun 22, 2022
  • #16
A guessing game until the op Anthony1234 mentions what he is driving
My vote is the quadrant
 
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AnthonyA1234

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#17
  • Jun 22, 2022
  • #17
Pinellas50 said:
Does the car have the stock clutch quadrant or has it bern changed to an adjustable cable. If stock, mabey the quadrant slipped adjustment or broke. If stock, try resetting the adjustment by putting your foot under the clutch pedal and pulling the pedal up towatds you.
Click to expand...
The car has a steeda quadrant and steeda firewall adjuster so I’m guessing it probably has a steeda adjustable cable too
 

Noobz347

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#18
  • Jun 22, 2022
  • #18
AnthonyA1234 said:
The car has a steeda quadrant and steeda firewall adjuster so I’m guessing it probably has a steeda adjustable cable too
Click to expand...
Did you install these parts? One or more brand name items doesn't indicate another. Most folks who are very aware of Fox clutch components know better than to install a cable that is not OEM construction.

It's a pretty simple system and should be easy enough to get your peepers on to verify.

While you're down there it would be useful to take pictures of everything and post them in this thread:

Pedal
Quadrant
Cable (both ends and cable routing)
Fork
Pivot
TOB (if able)
 
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AnthonyA1234

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Aug 17, 2020
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Jun 22, 2022
#19
  • Jun 22, 2022
  • #19
manicmechanic007 said:
A guessing game until the op Anthony1234 mentions what he is driving
My vote is the quadrant
Click to expand...
What other information would be helpful? I just bought the car and the previous owner wasn’t the one who modded it so I don’t know much about what has been done to the clutch system. As stated before it has a steeda quadrant and firewall adjuster. I’ll post pics of everything. BTW Thanks for the help everyone.
 

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AnthonyA1234

5 Year Member
Aug 17, 2020
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Florida
Jun 22, 2022
#20
  • Jun 22, 2022
  • #20
Noobz347 said:
Did you install these parts? One or more brand name items doesn't indicate another. Most folks who are very aware of Fox clutch components know better than to install a cable that is not OEM construction.

It's a pretty simple system and should be easy enough to get your peepers on to verify.

While you're down there it would be useful to take pictures of everything and post them in this thread:

Pedal
Quadrant
Cable (both ends and cable routing)
Fork
Pivot
TOB (if able)
Click to expand...
I think I found the issue I was taking more pictures and check out how the cable looks where it attaches to the trans.
 

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