Clutch Cable?

[SHOMA]

Hello all, just the other day I read up on self adjusting the clutch cable, by pulling the pedal up and pushing down... From my experience, I did get a LOT of clicks out of it, and it did seem better, but it seems to go back and forth... I havent gotten under the car and looked, I figured I would ask here first, but how bad is it to change out the clutch cable, and what do my symptoms sound like? Is the self tensioner difficult to replace, and is ithat something that eventually reaches its max point? Thanks in advance! BTW< when shifting sometimes it seems like my clutch isnt in enough, yet its on the floor...

 

[autobahnsho]

Start saving for a clutch.

Seems like everyone (including myself) has these problems when the ThrowOut Bearing starts to fail. That wears out the Pressure Plate.

Normally, when you push the clutch pedal it pulls the cable, which pushes the TOB towards the PP and engine. The PP then releases pressure on the disc (which is connected to the tranny), so it isn't pushed against the flywheel, which is connected to your crankshaft (engine).
(Do a search here, you can also look at exactly how clutches work at howstuffworks.com. Cool pictures!)

On the other hand, if you got more than a couple clicks when you lift it up, your cable/ tensioner could be bad.

The cable is a pain, but not extremely hard to change. The tensioner isn't super hard, either, but both will make you sore, twisting to reach under the dashboard.

Make sure you get a second opinion, I'm not an expert.

 

[SHOMA]

Foirgot to mention, the clutch is new within the last 1K miles, as is the throwout, etc... Even afyter I got the 10 clicks or so, every day I get clicks... Probably the self-adjuster, no? Does the self adjuster reach a maximum point, and is there any other adjustment where i could take slack form the cable?

 

[Shoaz]

The adjuster has a *lot* of adjustment range, and I'd say that if you've hit the limit on the automatic adjustment you're either due for a new clutch or something else is wrong.

It's not hard to inspect the cable mount and connections on the tranny, since they're right on top of the transmission case under the intake duct to the plenum (i.e., on the driver's side under the hood). You could make sure that the cable end is properly seated on the tranny case and that the cable end is in the proper location on the actuator arm.

I doubt any of that is really a problem, but it's worth a check since it's not hard to inspect.

 

[Ace]

i would say the quadrant under the dash is suspect..only cause its a very common problem on mustangs and some other ford models...plus it sounds like you have reached max adjustment.. plus if i remember correctly those quadrants are plastic and they do wear out over time...if that checks out ok chances are its a cable

 

[SHOMA]

I dont think Ive hit the limit, as I get new clicks out of it every day.. ITs weird, it seems like at high RPMs, the clutch is barely there, like 1/2 of the pedal is just slack, but sometimes its right there.. I get clicks every day from it, often times more than once a day, thats probably the adjuster, right? What I need to do is have someone push on the clutch while I'm under the hood watching the cable, because it almost feel s like the cable is broken or wearing somewhere in between the clutch and pedal, as odd as that may sound... The clutch and TOB were just replaced about 1K miles ago by the best trans shop around.. Thoughts on this?
Kevin

 

[SHOMA]

Okay this thing is really pi$$ing me off now, I need help!?! Ive dertmined the following: athigh RPMs, the clutch is pretty much not even there in fact it goes almostto the floor before engaging.. but then when it comes down to lower rpms, the clutch seems to come back, although not always so I have a completely good feeling pedal.. The cable looks okay, and the clicks I was getting I think are the adjuster doing its thing, but not taking slack out of the cable... The clutch and TOB are about 1K old, is it defective or something? Thanks to all for your help..
Kevin

 

[SHOMA]

BUMMMMP....

 

[Shoaz]

You might check that the pedal end of the cabe is properly seated in the clutch quadrant. This is a serious pain to get at, but if the cable got dislodged during a clutch job, it might behave as you've described.

 

[SHOMA]

I understand that at higher rpms, the clutch may go away from you a bit, which means IF I'm able to get some slack out of it, it would be that much tighter I'm going to try and manually adjust it in the morning, as I dont know if my adjuster is working properly.... I really hope it isnt a clutch, the clutch is new!
Kevin

 

[SHOMA]

Well, it seems now if I have the clutch pushed in while the car is in any gear, first for xample, it actually moves the car a little bit if I even rev it to 4K or so... The clutch just isnt engaging enough... I looked atthe cable end on the clutch, and it LOOKS to be seated right, hard to tell though... Maybe I should try doing the clutch pedal/self tensioner before assuming its a clutch..?! I cant even tell if the tensioner is working as it should be..