Clutch Adjustment??

[bigvino]

i havent heard of anyone adjusting the clutch cable.. but im starting to have difficultly getting through the gears.. my foot is almost hitting the floor right before i can shift into a another gear.. i have a also have a aftermarket clutch quadrant.. any suggestions on getting an easier shift?? thanks!

 

[jrichker]

Clutch adjustment
Do the clutch adjustment first before considering any other problems. With the stock plastic quadrant and cable, pull up on the clutch pedal until it comes upward toward you. It will make a ratcheting sound as the self adjuster works. To release to tension of the stock quadrant, use a screwdriver to lift the ratchet paw up and out of engagement with the quadrant teeth.

A binding clutch cable will make the clutch very stiff. If the cable is misrouted or has gotten too close to the exhaust, it will definitely bind. The binding common to adjustable cables is often due to misplacement of the adjusting nuts on the fork end of the cable. This will also cause the cable to wear and fray. Both nuts should be on the back side of the fork so that the domed nut faces the fork and the other nut serves as jam or locknut to the domed nut.

Clutch pedal adjustment with aftermarket quadrant and cable: 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. When properly adjusted, there will not be any slack in the clutch cable. You will have 4-15 lbs preload on the clutch cable.

The quadrant needs to be replaced if you use any type of aftermarket cable or adjuster. My preference is a Ford Racing quadrant, adjustable cable and Steeda firewall adjuster. The adjustable Ford Racing cable is just as good as the stock OEM cable. It allows a greater range of adjustment than a stock cable with a aftermarket quadrant and firewall adjuster. Combined with the Steeda adjuster, it lets you set the initial cable preload and then fine tune the clutch engagement point to your liking without getting under the car.

Using a stock OEM cable, firewall adjuster and a single hook quadrant may result in not having any free pedal travel before the clutch starts to disengage. I found this out the hard way.
See Summit Racing - High Performance Car and Truck Parts l 800-230-3030 for the following parts.
Ford Racing M-7553-B302 - Ford Racing V-8 Mustang Adjustable Clutch Linkage Kits - Overview - SummitRacing.com Cable and quadrant assembly $90
Steeda Autosports 555-7021 - Steeda Autosports Firewall Cable Adjusters - Overview - SummitRacing.com Steeda firewall adjuster. $40

 

[bigvino]

thanks Jrichker!

 

[bigvino]

i didnt get a ratcheting sound/movement when i raised the clutch pedal??

 

[Gearbanger 101]

Did you hear, or feel a click? Does clutch engagement feel any different?

 

[bigvino]

when i pulled the clutch pedal up, it went pass the normal position, but no click or sound.. and the clutch engagement is still at the same distance..

 

[pearlnotchback]

Did you check to see if your car has an adjustable cable? I adjust mine right at the clutch fork.

 

[bigvino]

no i havent.. i thought it was an self-adjusting cable.

 

[jrichker]

Only the stock quadrant is adjustable by pulling up on the pedal.
All the non stock cables require a solid, non adjustable quadrant. They must use either a firewall adjuster or an adjustable cable.

Ford cable and quadrant. Note the solid quadrant and the threaded adjuster on the cable end.

Firewall adjuter - do not use with stock quadrant or single hook quadrant!

Multi-hook quadrant used with non adjustable cables and with a firewall adjuster It can be used with all cable types, including stock cable. Note: you must have an adjustable cable if you don't have a firewall adjuster.