I recently purchased a 92 LX. The clutch "grabs" very low, right off the floor. There is no slippage. The previous owner had installed a Steeda quadrant with adjustable cable and firewall adjuster. The firewall adjuster is spun out pretty far and the throwout bearing is just beginning to touch the clutch fingers. Is the throwout bearing supposed to be constant running or should there be clearance/freeplay? Is the clutch worn out and in need of replacement? I'm trying to get the fiction point up off the floor.
Low clutch pedal problems
- Thread starter 92LX5spd
- Start date
After some more research, I've found some conflicting results. Some say to pull out on the cable and leave about a dime's thickness between the firewall adjuster and the plastic part on the cable to allow a little slack in the cable. Others say the cable should have no slack and actually have 4-15 lbs of preload on it. In this scenario, I assume the throwout bearing would canstantly riding on the clutch fingers (?). The clutch is grabbing way low and must pushed firmly into the carpet to get it to disengage so I guess the firewall adjuster must be brought out even further to take up any remaining slack. I understand there is also some type of rubber bushing or grommet on the cable that might be compressing and taking away some of the throw. This car is a daily driver and I need to get this sorted out. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
HuskerNation
Member
If you only have a single hook quadrant, you can look into a double hook. I only have a single hook, and I had this same issue when I changed my clutch and pressure plate out. In your case, you could have a stretched cable. Mine was fine before, but my pressure plate I have now is thinner than the one I had previous. I ended up throwing on a few washers between the nut on the end of the cable that connects to the clutch fork, and the fork itself.
The trouble part is adjusting it correctly. You want the clutch to release at the bottom, less than an inch, but not so close that it releases as soon as you start letting off the clutch. I think I have around 1/2-3/4" slack.
Hope this helps!
The trouble part is adjusting it correctly. You want the clutch to release at the bottom, less than an inch, but not so close that it releases as soon as you start letting off the clutch. I think I have around 1/2-3/4" slack.
Hope this helps!
You have a very good setup with a Steeda quadrant with adjustable cable and firewall adjuster. I am using the same setup with the exception of using a Ford Racing quadrant. The cable actuated clutch systems are designed to use no slack in the cable and a slight preload. The throwout bearing is designed to constantly ride on the clutch fingers.
Clutch pedal adjustment with aftermarket quadrant and cable: I like to have the clutch completely disengaged and still have about 1.5” travel left before the pedal hits the floor. This means that I have only about 1” of free play at the top before the pedal starts to disengage the clutch. Keep in mind that these figures are all approximate. When properly adjusted, there will not be any slack in the clutch cable. You will have 4-15 lbs preload on the clutch cable.
Clutch pedal adjustment with aftermarket quadrant and cable: I like to have the clutch completely disengaged and still have about 1.5” travel left before the pedal hits the floor. This means that I have only about 1” of free play at the top before the pedal starts to disengage the clutch. Keep in mind that these figures are all approximate. When properly adjusted, there will not be any slack in the clutch cable. You will have 4-15 lbs preload on the clutch cable.
One of the problems with the adjustable cables, aside from the fact that they're all high-effort crap, is that they're all too long. You need to take up ALL the slack at the clutch end to make them work properly. Then you usually end up with a bunch of adjuster hanging out that's so long you can't get the cover back on.
Not so with the Ford Racing cable I have.The adjustble cable and firewall adjuster is the perfect match for a single hook quadrant.
Using a stock OEM cable, firewall adjuster and a single hook quadrant may result in not having any free pedal travel before the clutch starts to disengage. I found this out the hard way.
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