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How do I adjust my clutch with adjustable cable?

  • Thread starter Thread starter EDrgr
  • Start date Start date May 3, 2004
E

EDrgr

Founding Member
Apr 7, 2000
65
0
6
Dahlonega, GA
May 3, 2004
#1
  • May 3, 2004
  • #1
I just bought a new clutch. I bought a Zoom HD and bought a BBK adjustable clutch cable and quadrant. I can't get the clutch adjusted so it dosen't slip. By the way I didn't get the flywheel turned. Could that be the problem? This thing is driving me crazy. I would put the stock cable back on but I broke the stock quadrant getting it off. Any help will be deeply appreciated.

Thanx, Eddie
 
8

85GTlover

New Member
Mar 20, 2004
704
0
0
May 3, 2004
#2
  • May 3, 2004
  • #2
It could be,but let's hope not, you should def have got the flywheel turned but too late now. You applied the cable yourself?it should be adjustable hence the name. I will try to help you more later.
 

shawn13

New Member
Feb 28, 2004
70
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0
Dwight IL
May 3, 2004
#3
  • May 3, 2004
  • #3
should of really had the fly wheel checked but if the cable nut is set at the end off the threads I would get a fire wall adj. and put the stock cable back on dont get another plastic adjuster they flex around to much with a hd clutch
 
8

85GTlover

New Member
Mar 20, 2004
704
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0
May 3, 2004
#4
  • May 3, 2004
  • #4
True point, I hear the cable you get with those kits suck, get a stock Ford cable.
 
E

EDrgr

Founding Member
Apr 7, 2000
65
0
6
Dahlonega, GA
May 3, 2004
#5
  • May 3, 2004
  • #5
Thanks for the reply's guys. Can I use the stock cable with the BBK quadrant? I have the stock cable still but the stock quadrant is broke.
 

rgilley

New Member
Feb 29, 2004
17
0
0
MA
May 3, 2004
#6
  • May 3, 2004
  • #6
yes, u can use the stock cable with the bbk quakrant but it might not fit very well. If it is a single hook quadrant you will probably have to get a firewall adjuster. The adjustable cables suck, i broke 2 of them after a few months.
 
V

v8only

Active Member
Jul 3, 2003
2,378
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49
May 3, 2004
#7
  • May 3, 2004
  • #7
No, you can't use the stock cable with the bbk quadrant. It'll be too loose gauranteed, and you'll have no ability to adjust it.

I'm really good at clutch adjustment, if you can tell me a little more how and when it slips, i'll do my best to tell you if I think you have an external problem or clutch problem.

Too late now, but always resurface the flywheel.
 

rgilley

New Member
Feb 29, 2004
17
0
0
MA
May 3, 2004
#8
  • May 3, 2004
  • #8
thats why he needs to get the firewall adjuster...
 
E

EDrgr

Founding Member
Apr 7, 2000
65
0
6
Dahlonega, GA
May 3, 2004
#9
  • May 3, 2004
  • #9
Thanx for all the help guys.

v8only,
The clutch usually slips around 2K rpms until about 4k rpms then it engages. I can be cruising around at 2k to 2500 rpms then punch it and it will slip to 4k rpms. From idel to about 2k it grips fine.

Eddie
 
B

bes217

New Member
Apr 8, 2004
7
0
0
Redwood City, CA
May 3, 2004
#10
  • May 3, 2004
  • #10
I have the exact same problem as you, except that when I got a new clutch I did not get the adjustable quadrant or cable or any of that.
 
V

v8only

Active Member
Jul 3, 2003
2,378
22
49
May 4, 2004
#11
  • May 4, 2004
  • #11
The only reason that it would behave that way are a couple different reasons

-your cable is too tight and your clutch is permanently partially disengaging while you drive.....kinda like your foot is riding the clutch. Do you have any slack...aka mush at the top of the pedal, or is it all stiff/?? you want about one inch of mush/slack to be in perfect adjustment, if there is no slack at all, you are too tight, any more slack than an inch, you are too loose, although in your case, being too loose will not cause it to display those behaviors

-You are not properly broken in yet with your new clutch. A new clutch requires a break in period. The surface of the flywheel is perfectly flat, yet a brand new clutch disc is not, and has irregularities, and uneven surface area. Do NOT gas the engine hard, even after your foot is off the clutch, even when the clutch is fully engaged, it can slip until break in when the disc and flywheel properly mate.

-it could already be too late. check your adjustment like I described, wait the required break in period, and if you still have troubles, you know what you have to do. Good luck!
 
E

EDrgr

Founding Member
Apr 7, 2000
65
0
6
Dahlonega, GA
May 4, 2004
#12
  • May 4, 2004
  • #12
Thanx for the help v8. It's stiff the entire way. I won't be able to mess with it until this weekend due to work.
 
S

Sevan

Founding Member
Dec 4, 2001
558
0
16
IL
May 4, 2004
#13
  • May 4, 2004
  • #13
How do you know when its time to adjust the cable? How far does your clutch pedal come up before the car starts moving and can you judge by the height of the pedal when its time to adjust? I have the Steeda kit that includes the adjustable cable, firewall adjuster and double hook clutch quadrant.

Thanks
 
V

v8only

Active Member
Jul 3, 2003
2,378
22
49
May 4, 2004
#14
  • May 4, 2004
  • #14
I wrote a tech article and posted it up on my site that I just got up today. I help a lot of people with this, and wanted something written so people can follow it to the cue. Clutch adjustment for your setup is towards the bottom.

fyi, your clutch should engage aprox halfway up after you let your foot off,

http://50stangs.com/techarticles/clutchcableadjustment.html

read through that and hit me up if you have any other questions. That should give you a good understanding of how it works so you will know when you need to adjust.
 
S

Sevan

Founding Member
Dec 4, 2001
558
0
16
IL
May 4, 2004
#15
  • May 4, 2004
  • #15
v8only,

thanks for the link. makes a lot of sense.

 
E

EDrgr

Founding Member
Apr 7, 2000
65
0
6
Dahlonega, GA
May 7, 2004
#16
  • May 7, 2004
  • #16
Great site v8only. It really cleared up a few things for me. I just ordered the UPR adjuster and plan on putting it on this weekend.
 
V

v8only

Active Member
Jul 3, 2003
2,378
22
49
May 10, 2004
#17
  • May 10, 2004
  • #17
Thanks very much!!!

My bro and I have been working very hard to get up an informative site with all of our articles since we do so many mods, and a place to sell parts too on the side.
 
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