No slack in clutch cable after FWA/quadrant install

[trents99]

According to the instructions it says I should have a little slack at the fork but mine is tight as can be. I have the FWA turned all the way in so it's supposed to be as loose as it will go. I can't ride around like this because my clutch will be dead in a week and it's only a week old. So what now?

BTW it's a Fiore FWA and maybe it was just a bad piece but it is junk.

 

[stangbear427]

You need more pickups on your quadrant, or an adjustable cable. I'd advise the quadrant, myself, with an MM OEM cable. Mine is tight as well, but that's how I want it. There doesn't have to be slack in it, Ford actually put them in with some preload on the fork. Worry about it if the clutch is slipping, then you know it's way too tight. It should fully engage before the pedal comes all the way up. Good luck.

 

[trents99]

The Astro Performance stuff I got was the FWA and aluminum quadrant. It looks identical to the MM quadrant. I'm still running the oem cable also. When I put in the new tranny/clutch last weekend the pedal felt stiff like it does now and the clutch engaged almost at the top of the pedal when I still had the stock quadrant. Then after a day or so it self adjusted to pick up closer to the floor.

 

[trents99]

This is the kit I got

 

[trents99]

I was checking out other adjuster setups and stangbear I think you're right. The AP setup I got is one of the 3 kits they sell. The other two use the same quad but use an adjustable cable. I'll check with GEF and see if they have a double hook quad.

 

[stangbear427]

Yeah, I wasn't suggesting the MM quadrant, as it is single hook as you said. They have the most superior cable, that's all. I use a UPR triple pickup quadrant, and I usually end up needing to use the first pickup which isn't on the double hook ones (at least initially, until the new cable, if it's new, stretches a bit; then I crank in the FWA and move to the second hook). Now, you've thrown me for a loop saying it self adjusted... that's only possible with the stock quadrant. Rest assured that if it's grabbing off the floor, being too tight isn't an issue- being too loose is (unless you are using a Valeo/FRPP clutch, as they have a thinner pp and tend to grab right off the floor). Unless there is something wrong with your stock cable, KEEP IT. You're better off finding a more versitile quadrant to tune out the issue. That's assuming it's a true OEM cable, not just an OEM style stock replacement from the local monkey store. If it's a cheap Chinese one, it will stretch like you described in about a week. It'll break next, likely soon. Refresh me, what exactly was this sequence of events and where are you at with it...?

 

[trents99]

Okay it is the stock cable and when I mentioned it self adjusted that was right after the tranny/clutch so I still had the stock quadrant and firewall piece.

As it stands right now it is together but no slack what so ever in the cable. My car will not start now. Turn the key and nothing, not even a click. I had to stop working on it because of rain and am headed to Gene Evans in the morning to pick up a duoble hook quadrant. Since it is the stock cable it should have stretched enough to work on the double. Not sure why it won't start though. Only thing I can think of is the plug on the drivers side of the tranny may have come loose or something so I'll check that tomorrow.

 

[HISSIN50]

Not sure why it won't start though. Only thing I can think of is the plug on the drivers side of the tranny may have come loose or something so I'll check that tomorrow.

If the battery and everything else is up to par, check the clutch safety switch. It is a connector on the back of the clutch pedal arm - the switch has a rod which opens and closes the switch. Just make sure it is connected.

Good luck.

 

[trents99]

This new tranny had no provision for a safety switch on the top cover. I know what plug you're talking about though. It has the plastic rod that adjusts correct? That did get jarred around some so I'' have a look at that. Thanks

 

[stangbear427]

Yeah, check it. It has absoultely nothing to do with the tranny, it's part of the ignition system. I've had it happen myself when messing around with the clutch linkage.

 

[trents99]

Yeah it was the adjustable rod on the pedal. I guess I knocked it out of whack wrestling under there so that's fixed.

GEF didn't have just the quadrant so I had to buy that junk adjustable cable so I could go to work. I ordered the UPR triple quad and a new FWA so the GEF quad and cable will be going on Ebay by the end of the week.

Thanks for the input guys.

 

[95BLBLVert]

Why would you go and buy a triple hook quadrant? You can only use two of those hooks and with a Fox body car, you can only use the middle hook. If you are using the Micro-Click adjuster from Astro, there is no reason why your cable should be tight. I do have a quadrant that has a revised hook position that will fit your car perfectly.

 

[Darkwriter77]

Actually, with my OEM cable and a UPR triple-hook quad/FWA in place, I have no choice but to use the first hook. The cable comes up just about 1/8" short of being able to fit onto the middle hook. Since I replaced the cable and quad at the same time, maybe the cable will stretch out a bit over the next few weeks and I can slip it onto the second hook, but as far as I can see, that's the purpose of the triple-hook setup - to allow you to use a non-adjustable OEM cable for the first and second hook, or an adjustable cable for the second/third hooks.

Anyone with a few spare aftermarket quads lying about wanna lay them atop one another and/or measure the differences? Maybe the second hook on the Steeda unit equates to the first hook on the UPR unit...?

 

[stangbear427]

Why would you go and buy a triple hook quadrant? You can only use two of those hooks and with a Fox body car, you can only use the middle hook...

???! That's pretty ignorant, which is scary since it really looks like you developed the Fiore parts. Making one innovative product doesn't make you an expert in the field, obviously, but I'd still expect more from you. I've been putting linkage kits in Fox Mustangs for over ten years between the shop, my own four Fox's and my friends Fox's, and have used literally dozens of different quadrants, cables, FWA's on multiple brands of clutches, and found that every situation is a little different and every quadrant usually is too... making a definitive statement like that was just asinine. The hooks sometimes line up, but the ramp is different (or vice versa)- effectively changing the length of cable needed to reach a pickup. That's why adj. cables still sell well even though they're primarily junk- most people can't make their single and double hook quad/FWA kits work without them. I'm using the first hook in both my Fox's- not unusual in my experience. Getting to the middle or farthest hook needs an ADJ cable, or a cheap asian stock replacement that will stretch out in a month. Props for trying to help him out with a different quadrant, but posts like that aren't going to win you any credibility points... especially when your facts aren't sound.

 

[95BLBLVert]

???! That's pretty ignorant, which is scary since it really looks like you developed the Fiore parts. Making one innovative product doesn't make you an expert in the field, obviously, but I'd still expect more from you. I've been putting linkage kits in Fox Mustangs for over ten years between the shop, my own four Fox's and my friends Fox's, and have used literally dozens of different quadrants, cables, FWA's on multiple brands of clutches, and found that every situation is a little different and every quadrant usually is too... making a definitive statement like that was just asinine. The hooks sometimes line up, but the ramp is different (or vice versa)- effectively changing the length of cable needed to reach a pickup. That's why adj. cables still sell well even though they're primarily junk- most people can't make their single and double hook quad/FWA kits work without them. I'm using the first hook in both my Fox's- not unusual in my experience. Getting to the middle or farthest hook needs an ADJ cable, or a cheap asian stock replacement that will stretch out in a month. Props for trying to help him out with a different quadrant, but posts like that aren't going to win you any credibility points... especially when your facts aren't sound.

Stangbear427,

You're right. My bad, however I was not trashing any companies products. I've never done it and never will. My point was that Trent could have complained to the company he bought the quadrant from and they would have worked it out for him. I've given away quite a bit of product just to satisfy a customer. Your also correct in saying that I'm not an expert in everything. I'm always learning the best I can and sometimes from mistakes. My experience with triple hook quads is that the OE Fox cable was too long (even though it is the shortest) to fit on the first hook. I admit that it was too general of a statement considering all of the different combos you mentioned. The thing that bothered me is a statement like "this piece is junk" when I've put a lot of money and effort into the Micro-Click adjuster and quadrant. My goal is to produce and offer the highest quality parts and customer service. I think most customers would say I've achieved my goal. Thanks for checking my attitude.

Joe

 

[trents99]

The reason I went with a triple hook is because I want to make sure I have one that I can use with my stock cable. This is my daily driver and only car so I can't stand around and wait for parts to be shipped to me. I've got the junky adjustable cable, from Ford, that has Taiwan stamped all over it. It will be off by the end of the week but it serves a purpose for now.

And don't take my "junk" comment out of context. What I mean by junk is it's in the trash because I had to basically ruin it to put it on then take it right back off. For some reason the threads galled on it and I had no choice, since this is my only car, but to force it on with a pair of channel locks. So I understand these things happen so it's no big deal, I'm not going to complain about it. The design is nice and the ball bearing idea is a good one. It just didn't work out for me. I'm sure Tony at AP would have made things right but again I can't wait on this stuff besides he only carries the single hook stuff.

 

[95BLBLVert]

The reason I went with a triple hook is because I want to make sure I have one that I can use with my stock cable. This is my daily driver and only car so I can't stand around and wait for parts to be shipped to me. I've got the junky adjustable cable, from Ford, that has Taiwan stamped all over it. It will be off by the end of the week but it serves a purpose for now.

And don't take my "junk" comment out of context. What I mean by junk is it's in the trash because I had to basically ruin it to put it on then take it right back off. For some reason the threads galled on it and I had no choice, since this is my only car, but to force it on with a pair of channel locks. So I understand these things happen so it's no big deal, I'm not going to complain about it. The design is nice and the ball bearing idea is a good one. It just didn't work out for me. I'm sure Tony at AP would have made things right but again I can't wait on this stuff besides he only carries the single hook stuff.

Trent,

I'm just curious how you had to "ruin it to put it on". What happened in the installation? I'm also confused as to what part did you have to force on with a pair of channel locks? What kind of firewall adjuster did you end up going with? I hate that it didn't go so well.

Thanks,
Joe

 

[stangbear427]

Joe
My respect for you has been restored. Sorry if I came down hard, I do understand your sentiments.

Trent- this is curious... how did you ruin it and find yourself needing channel locks? I think I was keeping up with you pretty well up to that point, but you just totally baffled me. What happened?

 

[trents99]

I got the FWA and quadrant from Astro. The FWA came with the Fiore instructions so I assume the FWA and quad were both Fiore. Followed directions, I've done these several times before, and before I put the FWA on the car I ran both pieces together to make sure they threaded fine which they did. I go to put the FWA on the car and no matter what it would not thread correctly. I took it back off the car and took it apart. The part of the FWA that mounts to the cable, the first thread on it had torn off. At this point I'm sitting here with it all together except the FWA. I sprayed a little lube on the threads but it didn't help. At this point I was still under the impression that my single hook quad and stock cable were going to work. So I went ahead and forced the FWA together. The part that screws into the firewall section is what I had to force, the actual adjustment part itself. Only way to do this was with channel locks. Once I got everything together is when I discovered my stock cable wasn't going to work with what I had.

Again I'm not bashing the product because it is a nice, well designed piece. It's just the FWA threads were galled at some point. The fact that the first thread on the adjuster broke off is a mystery to me. When I first put it together I put it together by hand so unless it broke under the force of that pressure I don't know what happened.

 

[95BLBLVert]

I got the FWA and quadrant from Astro. The FWA came with the Fiore instructions so I assume the FWA and quad were both Fiore. Followed directions, I've done these several times before, and before I put the FWA on the car I ran both pieces together to make sure they threaded fine which they did. I go to put the FWA on the car and no matter what it would not thread correctly. I took it back off the car and took it apart. The part of the FWA that mounts to the cable, the first thread on it had torn off. At this point I'm sitting here with it all together except the FWA. I sprayed a little lube on the threads but it didn't help. At this point I was still under the impression that my single hook quad and stock cable were going to work. So I went ahead and forced the FWA together. The part that screws into the firewall section is what I had to force, the actual adjustment part itself. Only way to do this was with channel locks. Once I got everything together is when I discovered my stock cable wasn't going to work with what I had.

Again I'm not bashing the product because it is a nice, well designed piece. It's just the FWA threads were galled at some point. The fact that the first thread on the adjuster broke off is a mystery to me. When I first put it together I put it together by hand so unless it broke under the force of that pressure I don't know what happened.

Well Trent,

I'm not sure if you had a Fiore fwa or not but regardless, if you want one free of charge to use, I'll send it to you. However, the only request would be that you actually use it on your car. I'd like to see the Micro-Click on every 5/6 speed Mustang in America.
Did it look like the attached picture?

This is the Gen 2 design. It has a revised thumb-grip so it will fit newer Cobras with ease.
It also has 4 slotted mounting holes instead of the 3 screw holes found on the 1st Gen adjuster.

Sorry for all your problems but I'll do what I can to get you the proper set-up.

Joe