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  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech

stock clutch cable and adjustable quadrant

  • Thread starter Thread starter Dave0803
  • Start date Start date Oct 26, 2009
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Dave0803

Member
Mar 3, 2003
236
0
17
Leonardtown, MD
Oct 26, 2009
#1
  • Oct 26, 2009
  • #1
Are there any quadrants that will work with the stock clutch cable? I Have heard bad things about aftermarket clutch cables and want to stick with my stock cable.
 

4.6andSlicks

New Member
Aug 22, 2006
171
1
0
Central Connecticut
Oct 26, 2009
#2
  • Oct 26, 2009
  • #2
I went with the Fiore quadrant because it had the same radius as stock but was made of alluminium. With it I installed the Fiore "Micro Click" firewall adjuster. Stock cables are the only way to go. The aftermarket ones are crap.

The adjusters great. No set screws or tools required.
 
B

blubullett

Member
Jun 22, 2006
535
6
18
Modesto, CA
Oct 26, 2009
#3
  • Oct 26, 2009
  • #3
If you install a quadrant you have to install a firewall adjuster if you use the stock cable. I have Steeda but Maximum Motorsports has a real nice one too.
 

twogts4us

15 Year Member
Apr 1, 2004
4,188
12
79
Dunedin, FL
Oct 27, 2009
#4
  • Oct 27, 2009
  • #4
blubullett said:
If you install a quadrant you have to install a firewall adjuster if you use the stock cable.
Click to expand...

There ya go
 
K

Kilgore Trout

Fried or Broiled ?
10 Year Member
Mar 30, 2005
4,749
95
134
Oct 27, 2009
#5
  • Oct 27, 2009
  • #5
Do not install an aftermarket quad and adjuster. There is a guy on SVTP who figured out how to correct the design flaw with the stock setup do that.

The stock setup is self adjusting and is absolutely the best solution.

Aftermarket adjusters are a hassle and have to be screwed with constantly and still are never quite right.

Unless you want the trans to come out every summer for a new TOB stick with the stock self adjusting setup but be sure you read the article on SVTP and fix it so it works properly.
 
G

GDTrumbo

Member
Jan 22, 2009
199
0
17
Nashville, TN
Oct 27, 2009
#6
  • Oct 27, 2009
  • #6
OEM plastic quadrants over time dry out, crack and are known to detonate at a stop light leaving you w/ a tow bill. Any mod utilizing this piece is in vain.
I installed the Fiore racing quad and their firewall adjuster along with the slightly modded OEM cable 3 years ago. Adjusted it to 1" of freeplay and have not touched it since. It took me 40 min's to install, adjust & drive it. The cable now has 164K on it.

Flawless operation!!

GT
 

twogts4us

15 Year Member
Apr 1, 2004
4,188
12
79
Dunedin, FL
Oct 27, 2009
#7
  • Oct 27, 2009
  • #7
Kilgore Trout said:
Do not install an aftermarket quad and adjuster. There is a guy on SVTP who figured out how to correct the design flaw with the stock setup do that.

The stock setup is self adjusting and is absolutely the best solution.

Aftermarket adjusters are a hassle and have to be screwed with constantly and still are never quite right.

Unless you want the trans to come out every summer for a new TOB stick with the stock self adjusting setup but be sure you read the article on SVTP and fix it so it works properly.
Click to expand...

cough, cough, bu11sh1t, cough, cough

And if you are going to refer to an article on another board, please include the URL. In the end, there is no fix for the brittleness of the OEM quad except for RNR with an aftermarket piece that can stand up to some abuse...at least stand up to the heat.
 

ChillPhatCat

20+ Year Stangneter
Apr 22, 2002
409
65
48
Syracuse, NY
Oct 27, 2009
#8
  • Oct 27, 2009
  • #8
I installed an MM quadrant and adjuster and couldn't be happier... the best thing is it reduced the ridiculous throw of the pedal... and that also made operation a little easier since the point of application of force was at a better angle to my leg, being closer to the firewall. If you find yourself constantly adjusting the adjuster, there's something bad in your near future.
 
B

blubullett

Member
Jun 22, 2006
535
6
18
Modesto, CA
Oct 27, 2009
#9
  • Oct 27, 2009
  • #9
I almost have to go with Kilgore on this one. He brings a good point up, if it aint broke don't fix it. My firewall adjuster is a pain in the ass. Sometime I wish I still had the plastic stocker on there. I have had four Mustangs and a few hundred thousand miles and never had a stock one break. On the other hand, my adjustable steeda cable snapped once, and you have to make sure and check your firewall adjuster every so often to make sure it hasn't lost adjustment, if you leave it out of adjustment say bye bye syncros. With the stocker you will never loose adjustment.

I do have to say with the steeda quadrant and stock cable it is silky smooth. And you can adjust how high the clutch engages which is nice.
 

Night Shifter

Well-Known Member
Dec 24, 2005
1,710
27
59
Daytona
Oct 28, 2009
#10
  • Oct 28, 2009
  • #10
i have a steeda quadrant, firewall adjuster and stock cable....my steeda adj. sucked horribly cause it was binding up and not letting me shift into gears...went back to stock and problem solved....the only problem i have now is that my firewall adjuster doesnt work with my stock cable and i dont know why

probably the only person on the planet with this problem, but i can tighten the screw down in the adjuster until it wont tighten anymore and no matter what i do for adjustment it wont adjust for chit.. but thats the kind of luck i have...it will probably work and adjust fine for you...either way i have smooth clutch engagement and would reccomend buying an adjuster quatrant from either steeda or MM
 
K

Kilgore Trout

Fried or Broiled ?
10 Year Member
Mar 30, 2005
4,749
95
134
Oct 28, 2009
#11
  • Oct 28, 2009
  • #11
I knew what I said would be controversial but it is my opinion right now.

I cannot link to the article because I do not go to SVTP any more so I cannot get the link, it should not be hard to find.

The stock setup is self-adjusting and no aftermarket setup is. Therefore if the self adjusting feature is corrected to work properly the stock setup is superior. Do not talk to me about "brittleness" I have never ever heard of one shaterring its nylon and it seemed very robust top me when I scrapped those parts out for my ill-advised Fiore setup. And now it looks like I can replace my TOB every summer OR I can adjust the clutch with the fork inspection plate off and being under the car to be sure it is adjusted properly every few months. Yeah, that is way better NOT!

Correct the stock setup, that is the best way to go.
 

SRT Handz

I tripped & fell down and cut myself & got blood
Oct 10, 2004
941
23
19
La Mirada, CA
Oct 28, 2009
#12
  • Oct 28, 2009
  • #12
Fiore Adjuster + Quadrant > All

Of the THE BEST MODS I have ever done.
 

ChillPhatCat

20+ Year Stangneter
Apr 22, 2002
409
65
48
Syracuse, NY
Oct 28, 2009
#13
  • Oct 28, 2009
  • #13
Kilgore Trout said:
I knew what I said would be controversial but it is my opinion right now.

I cannot link to the article because I do not go to SVTP any more so I cannot get the link, it should not be hard to find.

The stock setup is self-adjusting and no aftermarket setup is. Therefore if the self adjusting feature is corrected to work properly the stock setup is superior. Do not talk to me about "brittleness" I have never ever heard of one shaterring its nylon and it seemed very robust top me when I scrapped those parts out for my ill-advised Fiore setup. And now it looks like I can replace my TOB every summer OR I can adjust the clutch with the fork inspection plate off and being under the car to be sure it is adjusted properly every few months. Yeah, that is way better NOT!

Correct the stock setup, that is the best way to go.
Click to expand...

First off, an adjuster and aftermarket quadrant have no effect on the life of your cable, so this is really a preference issue. If you don't like the crazy high stock clutch engagement point it's well worth it. I've had mine in for 4k miles and have not had to touch it... It's not like you need to check it every day, the cable does not drastically change length day to day. Just pay attention to how your clutch is working and check it once a month or whenever you've got the hood up.
 

twogts4us

15 Year Member
Apr 1, 2004
4,188
12
79
Dunedin, FL
Oct 28, 2009
#14
  • Oct 28, 2009
  • #14
Kilgore Trout said:
I knew what I said would be controversial but it is my opinion right now.

I cannot link to the article because I do not go to SVTP any more so I cannot get the link, it should not be hard to find.

The stock setup is self-adjusting and no aftermarket setup is. Therefore if the self adjusting feature is corrected to work properly the stock setup is superior. Do not talk to me about "brittleness" I have never ever heard of one shaterring its nylon and it seemed very robust top me when I scrapped those parts out for my ill-advised Fiore setup. And now it looks like I can replace my TOB every summer OR I can adjust the clutch with the fork inspection plate off and being under the car to be sure it is adjusted properly every few months. Yeah, that is way better NOT!

Correct the stock setup, that is the best way to go.
Click to expand...

Well I spent a good hour trying to find the article you are referring to over at SVTP but I cannot find it...I'm sure it exists, but it isn't easy to find, at least for me. I thought it would be a sticky, but no such luck.
I never said they shatter, but they do chip and lose teeth, rendering it useless or less than effective.
Why did you throw away your OEM quad?
Why are you adjusting the clutch at the fork?
If the OEM quad is self adjusting, meaning it automagically removes any slack from the cable, and you can do this exact same thing with the firewall adjuster (although not automagically), what is the harm?
 
K

Kilgore Trout

Fried or Broiled ?
10 Year Member
Mar 30, 2005
4,749
95
134
Oct 29, 2009
#15
  • Oct 29, 2009
  • #15
ChillPhatCat said:
First off, an adjuster and aftermarket quadrant have no effect on the life of your cable
Click to expand...
What the hell are you talking about? I never said anything about cable life!
 
K

Kilgore Trout

Fried or Broiled ?
10 Year Member
Mar 30, 2005
4,749
95
134
Oct 29, 2009
#16
  • Oct 29, 2009
  • #16
twogts4us said:
Why did you throw away your OEM quad?
Click to expand...
I will go back in time and ask myself why I made that decision two years ago...

twogts4us said:
Why are you adjusting the clutch at the fork?
Click to expand...
Why would you think I am doing that? I said I remove the fork cover to verify the clutch adjustment visually. I did not say I adjust it there. Can it even be adjusted there? I do not think so.

twogts4us said:
If the OEM quad is self adjusting, meaning it automagically removes any slack from the cable, and you can do this exact same thing with the firewall adjuster (although not automagically), what is the harm?
Click to expand...
You can do the same exact thing with the fw adjuster but you have to do it regularly, correctly, and manually. Self adjusting and always adjusted just right is clearly better unless you are a mad tyte racer which sometimes I forget everyone here is yo.

Y'all do what you think is best I am simply putting another option out there. An option that currently, IMHO, is the best way to go.
 

twogts4us

15 Year Member
Apr 1, 2004
4,188
12
79
Dunedin, FL
Oct 29, 2009
#17
  • Oct 29, 2009
  • #17
Kilgore Trout said:
And now it looks like I can replace my TOB every summer OR I can adjust the clutch with the fork inspection plate off...
Click to expand...

twogts4us said:
Why are you adjusting the clutch at the fork?
Click to expand...

Kilgore Trout said:
Why would you think I am doing that? I said I remove the fork cover to verify the clutch adjustment visually. I did not say I adjust it there...
Click to expand...

Umm, yes you did...but I'll give you the benefit of the doubt bro...maybe this was a typo?
 

ChillPhatCat

20+ Year Stangneter
Apr 22, 2002
409
65
48
Syracuse, NY
Oct 29, 2009
#18
  • Oct 29, 2009
  • #18
Kilgore Trout said:
What the hell are you talking about? I never said anything about cable life!
Click to expand...

Just pointing out that it's all about preference, not about "what is best".
 
H

HOOCBB

New Member
Jun 5, 2008
90
3
0
Oct 29, 2009
#19
  • Oct 29, 2009
  • #19
Kilgore Trout said:
You can do the same exact thing with the fw adjuster but you have to do it regularly, correctly, and manually. Self adjusting and always adjusted just right is clearly better unless you are a mad tyte racer which sometimes I forget everyone here is yo.

Y'all do what you think is best I am simply putting another option out there. An option that currently, IMHO, is the best way to go.
Click to expand...

Ok, you've interjected your opinion, now let everyone else put their $.02 in without blasting them.

Personally, I HATE the stock mechanism, but haven't upgraded it yet. I CAN notice the inconsistent clutch engagement when I am spiritedly driving. This inconsistency IS caused by the plastic quadrant bending under stress.

That said, I am ordering the Fiore pieces soon as I have heard NOTHING but GOOD about them.
 

hotdog71

Member
Dec 8, 2004
427
0
16
Seattle, Eastside
Oct 29, 2009
#20
  • Oct 29, 2009
  • #20
I have been using the steeda firewall adjustable cable kit w/ quadrant for about over 45k miles without any problems, and never need to adjust the cable since install.
 
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