T5 Clutch Adjustment/freeplay

[zookeeper]

Hoping someone here can help me with my clutch adjustment. I recently swapped an '89 T5 into my fastback with a hydraulic slave-type clutch linkage. All my buddies tell me I need to have some freeplay in the throwout bearing before it contacts the pressure plate diaphragm fingers, but when I have it that way, it creeps even with the clutch in. So I did some research online and found that some guys claim the throwout bearings on this type of clutch (stock replacement '89) are designed to have preload. If that's the case, it would sure make my life easier. I apologize for asking a vintage-stang question here, but I've always gotten the best advice on this forum. Thanks in advance! Jim

 

[f8tlfiveo]

I always do a small ammt of preload.. They always tend to squeak for me without it also.. What's the worst that could happen? Try it

 

[zookeeper]

Thanks, I'll try it and see. I guess I was worried that the throwout bearing would wear out by spinning all the time. I've never looked to see how my stock '88 GT was adjusted, and I've never run a diaphragm-style clutch before so I really appreciate the help. Thanks again!, Jim

 

[jrichker]

All 82-95 Mustangs have a cable operated clutch when they come off the assembly line. The throwout bearing is designed to make constant contact with the clutch fingers. When they don't, the clutch does not disengage properly and the throwout bearing makes all kinds of strange noises. The cable operated systems have 4-15 lbs tension on the cable at rest.

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.

 

[zookeeper]

Thanks for the tips. I've read some of your posts about Fox-bodies and always learn something new. I actually like the feel of the cable-operated clutch in my '88 GT, and would've used one on my '68 but it wouldn't clear my headers so I had to resort to a hydraulic set-up. Anyway, thanks again to both of you!

 

[zookeeper]

Well, that did it! Last nite I fired the car up for the first time with the manual trans and it was stiff going into first thru fourth (on axle stands) and wouldn't go into fifth or reverse at all. The thing that worried me is that it had nearly no freeplay at the throwout bearing, which I was told was barely enough. But after you guys said it was supposed to have a bit of pre-load, I adjusted just a bit into the clutch and BINGO! It shifts smoothly into all gears including reverse. I've always been told having the bearing touch the pressure plate was just asking for trouble, but I guess if my '88 still has it's original clutch, pressure plate, throwout bearing and all after 172K miles it's probably going to be fine in my '68.