Sagging/Low clutch pedal

[aevansgatech]

I don't know if it was always like this or I'm just now noticing it but the clutch pedal rests fairly low compared to the brake pedal. I don't notice any issues with the transmission as far as popping out of gear or anything, and the clutch always engages, but the pedal has a very short travel and doesn't fully return

Is this a sign of a problem to come? I was thinking clutch pedal return spring but the connection looks ok

Ideas?

[bradartigue]

Check the slack in the cable (under the car) and adjust. It should neither sag nor be low, the engagement point is within an inch of the top position (rest).

[fiatfactory]

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[aevansgatech]

The firewall pass through looked ok to me, no noticeable cracks, but the bottom cable attachment to the pressure plate? looked like it could be tighter.

It looks like I can just adjust the nut on the cable which attaches to the same 'lever' as the gold spring. Correct?

The big black clutch pedal spring also looks like it could be stretched out. Should there be any space between the coils of a good clutch pedal spring?

[fiatfactory]

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[76was124]

When properly adjusted, the throw-out bearing will be approx. 1/8" from contacting the fingers on the pressure plate. That will equate to roughly 1" of clutch pedal travel before you feel pressure on the pedal. Did you confirm the fork holding the clutch cable top of the pedal is not bent?

Good post by Tim of a good pedal and a bad at:

Re: clutch cable stretching?
Postby timspider on Sun May 17, 2015 9:53 am

that's a good video- had not seen it in my video tour a few months back.
update- just got the pedal off this morning and the bend, although not possible to detect while the pedal was in, is pretty prominent as expected (thankfully).
I'm wondering if there is some reason I shouldn't flip the bolt around on installation. Seems like it would fit better that way. I may have broken a bushing as this took some big prying- still have to get that spring a little more stretched out to get it re installed.

http://s867.photobucket.com/user/timspi ... 3.jpg.html

Tim Krueger
1978 Fiat Spider 124
Lexus GX470 with a zillion miles
Timberland Boots

[aevansgatech]

Bingo Kevin!

Good news and bad news. I found the problem and the fork on the clutch pedal itself has bent arms. Now the cable popped out of the pedal fork and I can't get it back in

Is there a tip for bending those pedal fork fingers back properly or am I looking at a whole new pedal assembly? I tried bending them slightly but can't get the cable to stay in reliably.

[narfire]

there was a small plastic clip that went on the cable behind the fork. Is that thing still present?

[aevansgatech]

Good question.. I don't think so but I"ll have to confirm

By the way, in that picture is everything out of the car or is there a better way to access the pedal fork? (my back hurts today )

[76was124]

I just sent you a PM.

[aevansgatech]

Big update on this topic!

In my diagnosis i had looked purely at the pedal connection, firewall (under dash inside), and the clutch fork connection. I had an experienced set of eyes take a look and the actual firewall support was conpletely cracked in half, bent back, and useless. Combine that with an aged, stiff cable and its no wonder i started to have a problem.

The good news is he installed a new cable for me, realigned, welded, and reinforced the firewall with a new plate (and cutouts) and now it shifts easily, smoothly, and 1 inch from the top of pedal travel. Im back in business!

While we were at it we fixed my handbrake too

[fiatfactory]

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[aevansgatech]

Yep, you and Kevin both had it nailed down!