Clutch Problem

[Bill Strobel]

Here's a problem and solution from the iATN message boards:

1992 Ford Taurus, Clutch
By: Gary PundtBy: Gary from TexasMay 14, 2009 8:47:49 AM9 Replies
we have just finished the second clutch replacement on the this jewel. after the first clutch was replaced the vehicle has what i would call a violent shudder only in reverse. we went back in and replaced the clutch assy again and also ordered a new flywheel from ford to make sure the old flywheel was not the problem, we also replace the passenger side rear mount. we did that the first time around. we also replaced the clutch cable. after completing the second clutch replacement the car shudders just as bad. this only happens in reverse. we can start the car apply the parking brake and start to release the clutch as if to check the mounts and the car will not shudder, and the mounts do move but no more than you would expect to see, but when you put it on the street to test drive it is fine going forward, but when you back up it will shake your teeth out of your head. it shakes so bad it actually broke the exhaust ****** at the converter.

anybody have any ideas i would greatly appreciate.

FIX posted on May 25, 2009 6:32:44 AM
We finaly got this vehicle fixed. After we looked at everything we touched on this vehicle and decided we would remove the new clutch cable we installed and reinstall the old cable and the clutch works perfectly. I am not sure why the replacement cable would cause the problem, and why it did it only in reverse I have no idea. We looked at all sugestions that we recieved from you guy's and I thank you all very much.

 

[SHO GoDz 89]

Doesn't make sense.
But if it works, no sense in complaining.

 

[Bill Strobel]

Trying to find out if anyone else installed a stock clutch and replacement cable and experienced severe clutch chatter in reverse. Any ideas why this worked? If the replacement cable was too short could it have kept the clutch partially disengaged?

 

[93rev2sev]

Sounds like incorrect cable installation. If the grommet that was going through the eye in the trans was installed backwards, I could see it...

 

[1993BlackSHO]

My SHO does that exact thing ever since I swapped the tranny. I have just had to back up carefully. The shudder is horrible if I try to back up too quickly. Forward is great with no slipping. Maybe I will have to try the clutch cable. Think i noticed some fraying on it anyhow.

 

[marv]

reverse shutter

Check to make sure y pipe and rod shifter tight, I had nasty reverse shutter....it was simply the y pipe....magnaflow pipe.

 

[Off Road SHO]

My educated guess is that the new cable is a different length. Probably shorter.

Let me see if I can explain this properly. In cable actuated clutch systems, the cable attachment point has to be in sync with the transaxle housing. If it isn't, every little movement of the transaxle will result in a corresponding loosening or tightening of the clutch cable.

How do I know this? In the early VW buggy days, (when your parents were just getting out of high school) where people would transplant air cooled VW motors and transaxles into tube framed rails, if we mounted the clutch cable pivot to the frame, we would get this tremendous clutch chatter. It was solved by using a Bowden tube, which guided the cable in an arc that aligned with the natural rotation of the engine during torque roll.

This doesn't apply in hydraulic clutch systems, only cable operated.

Tom

 

[F-22 Raptor SHO]

Why do all of Tom's answers start with "Back when your parents were kids...."

 

[Off Road SHO]

Why do all of Tom's answers start with "Back when your parents were kids...."

Because I was around when the Grand Canyon was only the Great Canyon.

Tom

 

[AREA 91]

Because I was around when the Grand Canyon was only the Great Canyon.

Tom

Larty The Cable Guy "I don't care who you are, that's funny right there!"




The 2 times I ran into this type of clutch problem on a SHO was:
1. Customer did NOT want the flywheel turned.
2. Motor Mounts were garbage. Especially the rear.