Heavy Clutch Pedal?

[misteramx]

I have consulted with the previous owner of my '89 SHO. The current motor was installed in November 2000, and had only 23000 miles on it at that time. At that time, they took the opportunity to update the clutch,flywheel,pressure plate and throwout bearing (not to mention put on a new timing belt and a/c compressor). At any rate, the car has been driven a total of maybe 15000 additional miles since the new clutch set was installed, a factory Ford unit. Problem is, the clutch pedal is heavy. VERY heavy. And last week, while stopped on a hill at a traffic light, I had to feather the clutch to keep from rolling into the guy behind me. The distinct odor of clutch could be smelled.

So, do I really need a new clutch set, or is there something else that could be wrong? The previous owner also noted that the pedal was heavy as well, but thought that it was normal. I don't believe this is normal at all, as it requires significant effort to engage the pedal, enough that I have to be firmly planted in my seat to make the pedal go to the floor?

Any suggestions?

On the plus side, talking to the previous owner revealed that he installed new front struts (1999) as well as new catalytic converters (2000 when the engine was done). He also was planning on doing a brake job on the rear, and bought new brake pads, but never got to it. He hid them in the cubby hole above the rear deck (I didn't even know that was there). Not Performance Friction mind you, but hey, they're free! And every little bit saves!

Phil
89 Currant Red

 

[Brian685]

Phil, that heavy clutch pedal does sound like a worn clutch. After my new clutch was installed it was MUCH easier to operate the clutch, although it was never terribly difficult beforehand.

I sure hope this isn't the case, however, considering I just had a full clutch job done on -my- '89 with all factory parts.

Let us know if you have any other symptoms, and by the way... you picked a real winner for year / color combo

- Brian

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Currant Red '89
98k miles
Flowmasters, Slicers, CD Player

 

[misteramx]

Hmmm...other symtoms. How about a very faint whining noise when the pedal is in? Not when it's out, but when it's on the floor and I'm moving?

Hey, nice car! Maybe mine will be that nice looking...as soon as I get that stupid tint out of the back window and some real wheels on it.

 

[Shoman94]

Originally posted by misteramx:
Hmmm...other symtoms. How about a very faint whining noise when the pedal is in? Not when it's out, but when it's on the floor and I'm moving?

Hey, nice car! Maybe mine will be that nice looking...as soon as I get that stupid tint out of the back window and some real wheels on it.

Are you saying that when you have the pedal to the floor your car moves?


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'94 MTX Silver
Tokico Struts, Eibach Springs, Spmotorsports SubFrame Conn. 29mm ShoShop Rear sway bar, Shohop Cat back, Gutted box with K&N, '96 Brake Upgrade, White Face Guages.

 

[misteramx]

Hehe, okay some clarification. While shifting, say from 1st to 2nd, or 2nd to 3rd, when I push in the clutch to shift, the car still moving, I will hear this fainting whining noise until the clutch pedal is released. It will do this when I pull up to intersections and push in the clutch the last few feet before coming to a complete stop as well.

 

[Rob94]

I'm gonna take a shot in the dark here and say throw out bearing.

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Rob
White 94MTX
K&N Filter otherwise stock