Clutch cable freeplay mod (LDC MOD) Do it Yourself.

02GT · Jun 6, 2013

I had to bite the bullet and buy a kit from dagostino racing(only place who sells the kit anymore) for 17 shipped. I did some reading and getting the right spring is really important, it not only has to be the right size and length but also the right compression. So to avoid any stupid mistakes on my end or multiple trips to lowes I found that kit. Here is the link to the kit if anybody else wants it.

http://dagostinoracing.com/ford-96-04-mustang-clutch-freeplay-correction-kit.html

walkingdisaster · Jun 19, 2013

I was driving on a squeaky TOB for over a year and was about to replace the whole clutch (even though it only had 20,000 miles on it max). I found this article and my squeak is gone and my pedal feels much easier to push and much smoother shifting.
http://www.corral.net/tech/drivetrain/clutcha.htm

GMUSSTN · Jun 19, 2013

What size reducers did you use? Thinking of trying this tonight on my T5.

Mustanger · Jun 19, 2013

GMUSSTN said:
What size reducers did you use? Thinking of trying this tonight on my T5.

"But I saw a DIY thread for the clutch free play mod on the net...here is all you need...Go to Lowes or Home Depot etc. pick up a 4" spring 3/4" in diameter and 2 copper tubing reducers to fit into each end...under the car unhook the cable from the clutch fork, put the spring on the cable then hook it back to the fork. The extra spring pressure will push the fork to the end & take off any pressure to spin the TOB. Works like a charm on mine for a couple years now. This is for those that have an aftermarket quadrant & firewall adjuster " probably 3/4"x 1/2" reducers

Slykin · Jun 19, 2013

I can't find right damn spring anywhere.

97tbird · Jun 20, 2013

Slykin said:
I can't find right damn spring anywhere.

same, except I can't find a copper reducer either... Looked at ACE, menards, home depot and there isn't a lowes by me

GMUSSTN · Jun 20, 2013

I went last night. I got the copper reducer in the plumbing section--if you're at Home Depot ask and any guy should know.

The springs I found by the screen door stuff...mine wasn't exactly 3/4...I think it was like 11/16 but it was 4" long and came in a pack with a couple other sizes.

Sadly I didn't get a chance to put this on the car since I realized why my clutch was squeaking is because my practically new throwout bearing is split down the side

So I gotta drop the trans this weekend and replace but I'm gonna install the spring when I'm puttin' things back together.

ttocs · Jun 20, 2013

I need too do this but I am not really sure where this gets mounted to be honest.

Mustanger · Jun 20, 2013

Disconnect your cable under the car & fit it over the cable then just hook it back up...it will be self explanatory when you see it. It pushes the clutch fork to the end of travel.

02GT · Jun 20, 2013

It works really well, totally stopped my TOB noise and my clutch feels much better. If you're having trouble finding the parts check out the link I posted above.

96laseredcobra · Apr 28, 2017

Are the springs strong enough for this to last awhile?

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Mustanger · Apr 28, 2017

Yes no worries there! Mine has been used for over 15 years...

96laseredcobra · May 5, 2017

Mustanger said:
Yes no worries there! Mine has been used for over 15 years...

Sweet. Thanks. My phone didn't notify me. Got mine in today

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Mustanger · May 7, 2017

96laseredcobra said:
Sweet. Thanks. My phone didn't notify me. Got mine in today

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There you go! Congrats it should solve your problems for a long time to come. Thanks for the pic!

96laseredcobra · May 7, 2017

Mustanger said:
There you go! Congrats it should solve your problems for a long time to come. Thanks for the pic!

Thanks an no problem about pics, i have plenty. so far so good. No noise at all and shifts more firm. So now it's new exedy mach 350 clutch, maximum motor sports clutch cable kit, and the freeplay mod. Plus all my other mods lol.

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Silversn95 · Mar 27, 2020

It has been awhile since I've posted and I know this post is on the old side as well but for those that did this mod, is it still working fine? Reason I ask is that my TOB is chirping like bird and would be nice if the fix is as simple as this for now until I get into bigger mods which require the trans to be removed. I don't think I have seen it stated anywhere but is there a particular spring rate that is required?

Werecow · Mar 27, 2020

I'm curious about the free play at the clutch fork end.. mine was converted over from an AOD to a T-5 (hacked) and my clutch cable is threaded on the end. When I first got it, the pedal cought right off the bottom of the floor. I checked the plastic adjustment quadrant under the dash and it's all the way adjusted. The cable at the fork had almost 1/2 inch of slop in it.. I've never fooled with a cable adjustment on one of these so I just took the slack out of the cable thinking that any more will put too much load on the TOB, the pedal feels somewhat better, it now catches about 1 1/2 inches off the floor.. do I need to toss the whole mess and start over or is this something I can adjust out with the quadrant by rehooking the cable back at the start of the adjustment on it and trying to get the pedal feel back in it? Like I said I've never fooled with this type of setup before.. posted this here since the discussion was about free play on the clutch..

white95 · Oct 25, 2020

Silversn95 said:
It has been awhile since I've posted and I know this post is on the old side as well but for those that did this mod, is it still working fine? Reason I ask is that my TOB is chirping like bird and would be nice if the fix is as simple as this for now until I get into bigger mods which require the trans to be removed. I don't think I have seen it stated anywhere but is there a particular spring rate that is required?

Found this over on a different forum and he lists the parts used.

http://www.mach1registry.org/forums/showthread.php?t=125153

white95 · Oct 25, 2020

Werecow said:
I'm curious about the free play at the clutch fork end.. mine was converted over from an AOD to a T-5 (hacked) and my clutch cable is threaded on the end. When I first got it, the pedal cought right off the bottom of the floor. I checked the plastic adjustment quadrant under the dash and it's all the way adjusted. The cable at the fork had almost 1/2 inch of slop in it.. I've never fooled with a cable adjustment on one of these so I just took the slack out of the cable thinking that any more will put too much load on the TOB, the pedal feels somewhat better, it now catches about 1 1/2 inches off the floor.. do I need to toss the whole mess and start over or is this something I can adjust out with the quadrant by rehooking the cable back at the start of the adjustment on it and trying to get the pedal feel back in it? Like I said I've never fooled with this type of setup before.. posted this here since the discussion was about free play on the clutch..

Did you solve this already? If you still have a stock, plastic quadrant it should be self adjusting. Simply pull up in the pedal until it stops and return the pedal to the ready position.

Silversn95 · Oct 26, 2020

I did the mod back in April/May. I did not like the way it felt as it increased pedal effort and felt very springy. I put it back to stock and to my surprise, the chirping went away. I drove it all summer with no issues but in the last week the chirping has come back. I think I am just going to accept the fact I need to change it out so in the spring I will plan to do the clutch and fix my leaking rear main. Will also upgrade the clutch cable and quadrant at the same time.