Clutch Free Play Question

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clarkedj
Posts: 143
Joined: Wed Aug 20, 2008 7:05 pm
Your car is a: 1978 Fiat 124

Clutch Free Play Question

Post by clarkedj »

I know this is gonna sound stupid but in the forum you guys refer to the free play in the clutch. Am I coorect this is the amount of pedal play there is before the bearings touch the pressure plate. AS you guys know and have been very helpful with I replaced the clutch in my sons 78 124. The clutch works fine but I have to put the clutch all the way to the floor to get a smooth engagement. The clutch cable is new did that when I replaced the clutch and the clutch cable tightening screw is about 2/3 of the way down the clutch cable adjustment shaft. So I have 2 questions:

1. Is my definition of Free Ply correct and how do I adjust the free play.

2. Should the clutch cable adjustment screw be tightened down further provide a quicker engagment of the clutch.

Thanks
edjclark
404-234-7366
Thanks

Ed Clark
404-234-7366
narfire
Posts: 3959
Joined: Sat Dec 27, 2008 2:14 am
Your car is a: 1980 124 spider
Location: Naramata B.C.

Re: Clutch Free Play Question

Post by narfire »

From what was explained to me is try to get the release bearing as close to the plate fingers without touching. When the car was up on the hoist I could see in the fork hole and kinda see the bearing get close to the fingers as I tightened the adjustment screw. Got it close and tried the clutch and was close to the top ,about 1 inch of pedal before contact. The screw was 3/4 the way down. Is there any play on the fire wall? Perhaps have a look behind the brake resevoir and see if there is any movement when someone is pushing on the clutch.
80 FI spider
72 work in progress
2017 Golf R ( APR Stg. 1)
2018 F350 crew long box
clarkedj
Posts: 143
Joined: Wed Aug 20, 2008 7:05 pm
Your car is a: 1978 Fiat 124

Re: Clutch Free Play Question

Post by clarkedj »

Narfire,

Appreciate the input. I already braced the firewall with .25 inch steel. Had a pretty serious crack. Not going anywhere now.
I have some shift work to do from underneath. I will pull the cap of the tranny and adjust as you suggest. Did not realize that it had to be screwed down so far.

Thanks

edjclark@gmail.com
404-234-7366
Thanks

Ed Clark
404-234-7366
djape1977
Posts: 985
Joined: Sat Apr 21, 2012 6:08 pm
Your car is a: 1970 fiat 124bc
Location: Belgrade, Serbia, eastern Europe

Re: Clutch Free Play Question

Post by djape1977 »

clutch fork may be worn
clarkedj
Posts: 143
Joined: Wed Aug 20, 2008 7:05 pm
Your car is a: 1978 Fiat 124

Re: Clutch Free Play Question

Post by clarkedj »

Dj,

Thanks for the input. Put a new fork in when I changeds the clutch 6 months ago. I hope it would not wear down that quick.

Thanks

clarkedj
404-234-7366
Thanks

Ed Clark
404-234-7366
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azruss
Posts: 3659
Joined: Sun May 30, 2010 12:24 pm
Your car is a: 80 Fiat 2000 FI

Re: Clutch Free Play Question

Post by azruss »

i have alway adjusted my clutch so it starts to engage half way in the pedal travel. This is adjusted with the nut on the clutch end of the cable. the tighter the nut, the higher the engagement point. I think you will only have a problem if you run out of threads.
clarkedj
Posts: 143
Joined: Wed Aug 20, 2008 7:05 pm
Your car is a: 1978 Fiat 124

Re: Clutch Free Play Question

Post by clarkedj »

Guys,

Thanks for all the input. Finally got down to making the adjustments yesterday. The clutch engages much better.

Thanks
Ed Clark
404-234-7366
Thanks

Ed Clark
404-234-7366
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