Clutch Pedal "Binding"

[SHOSKI90]

Ok, I have a 90 MTX, and I thought that the clutch pedal cable was going bad. So I replaced it. The problem did not change. About half the way down, the pedal seems to "bind" and it takes more than normal force to depress it. I have noticed that when I am sitting still, and I try to depress the clutch, it eases up as I rev the engine, the faster the RPM's the easier it gets. I recently got the car a few months ago, so I do not know how old the clutch is or if it needs to be replaced. The car has 95K on it and seems to be in really good condition. The clutch does not slip or gove me any other problems otherwise. Could the problem be related to the pressure plate or is there something I am not aware of???? HELP!

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1990 SHO, 5 Speed, New SHO Owner

 

[NORMAN]

Hi there,

If your clutch assembly was never replaced, then I think that it might be your throw out bearing shaft being gummed up. The throw out bearing doesn't slide as smoothly in this condition. It could cause the clutch action to bind.

Above, and, or it could be because of the pressure plate spring fingers being worn around the contact area where the throw out bearing presses against. It has been known to cause some difficultity of shifting, etc.

The clutch discs in those cars hold up pretty well. Even the factory ones, if I remember this correctly, Mark N. in here under the member name of DRIVINHARD ran some gas (nitrous) fed 12.90 seconds passes which trapped within the range of 105-110 mph using a factory designed clutch disc in his old '89.

I have done a few SHO clutch jobs, and I could probably swear that over all of my clutch work, the pressure plate was worn every time. Yes, the wear varied among differently driven SHOs. From my experience; On normal driving, as low as 15,000 miles, however as high as 100,000 miles, the pressure plate can be worn. Mostly, it comes down to how the previous owner(s) drove the car, and currently you.

You can take it to a mechanic or a driver friend for some more opinions.

You may also want to browse through this site if you have not done so yet, www.ShoTimes.com, for its frequently asked questions section for more information.

Hope this helped a bit.

Later, Norm

1993 all black 5 speed SHO
1999 black SVT Mustang Cobra

Ex SHOs:

1989 black/tan 5 speed
1990 all black 5 speed