clutch cable or something else?

[x182dan]

Ok guys I think my car might be f'ed up. I was out cruising around for about 1hour today. Just on the highway. I was getting on it occasionally but not beating the car stupid. I then had a biker on my ass so I downshifted to 3rd and got on it. It felt fine until I went to go for 5th. Now I didn't even quick shift 5th one bit because I know 5th is a bad gear to quick shift. As soon as I pushed in the clutch I felt a difference. I have no pedal at all until the last inch off the floor. I barely got home. It was so bad I couldn't even take off without slipping the hell out of the clutch. I did the best I could on getting it home without destroying the clutch. I'm pretty confident that the clutch should be fine. Now as soon as I got home I checked the cable, adjustable quadrant and all seemed well. Since I had all this new slack in the cable I loosened my quadrant which made the clutch tighter. Now here comes the thing that really is confusing to me. I had the clutch pushed in and revved the motor. Now I have ZERO clutch pedal feel. I lost all pedal feel after I revved the motor with the clutch on the floor. Does that mean my clutch fork is stuck? I'm really hoping I don't have to remove the tranny again. The clutch is only a year old. I still have the original clutch cable with 120k on it and fiore firewall adjuster and quadrant. Any ideas on what went on? The clutch has never made any noise before and worked awesome until today.
Dan

 

[CC'S95GT]

sounds like the cable to me. if you still have the oem cable I think you can reuse it and the FWA and the quad.

 

[x182dan]

This was the OEM cable with 120k on it that broke. I actually have a brand new ford cable in my basement that I bought a while back but never put on the car.

 

[CC'S95GT]

sorry dude. I misunderstood I still think it's the cable

 

[x182dan]

I'm figuring its something with the cable/fork. Either the cable stretched/broke or something is not letting the clutch fork release causing the cable to be loose

 

[GDTrumbo]

I have the same cable/adj./quad set-up. Cable has 160K+ on it. No issues even now.
Get a helper and check the clutch fork function while they are pressing the pedal. Any unusual noises?

GT

 

[x182dan]

I'm just gonna have to remove the clutch fork cover and take a look. I didn't notice any weird noises at all. Even when it first happened I didn't hear anything but I was going 70mph on the highway. Clutch worked perfectly ever since I installed it.

 

[JDwhite98gt]

check the operation of the fork and while you're down there put in the new cable since you have one, takes all but an hour or less if your mechanically inclined. You dont want to use any other cable other than Ford anyway.

 

[x182dan]

I'm hoping to hell its just the cable. I mean what else could cause the fork to not release all of a sudden?

 

[x182dan]

well this sucks, I pulled the cover off of the clutch fork. Theres lots of play in the fork and I can push the fork forward with my hand. This sucks I didn't want to have to pull the tranny out but it looks like I am. So anyone know of a good street clutch?

 

[CC'S95GT]

that sucks big time sorry man

 

[x182dan]

Heres the damage:

 

[CC'S95GT]

ouch

 

[GDTrumbo]

OK. Looks like the diaphram spring has cracked/collapsed. What brand clutch kit might that be?

GT

 

[x182dan]

Centerforce Dual Friction

 

[GDTrumbo]

Are you going to replace it with another Centerforce? Zoom? King Cobra?

GT

 

[x182dan]

I want a nice street clutch that will hold the power which the centerforce was. I really don't wanna get another one but I don't see another clutch with the same street manners that will hold up to the power. This clutch broke because it was defective not because it couldn't handle the abuse.

 

[24hrlemons]

FYI, I had a turbo shadow and the trans seal went out under warrenty, so I had them put in the centerforce clutch somewhat similar to yours. After a few years of use, it also self-destructed and there were parts rolling round in there it was horrible, the trans guy I used had never seen one where the clutch plate springs had broken loose. Told me that the "HP" ones were not always as good as their marketing and that he'd use a conventional style pressure plate and clutch any day. Get something else.

 

[x182dan]

FYI, I had a turbo shadow and the trans seal went out under warrenty, so I had them put in the centerforce clutch somewhat similar to yours. After a few years of use, it also self-destructed and there were parts rolling round in there it was horrible, the trans guy I used had never seen one where the clutch plate springs had broken loose. Told me that the "HP" ones were not always as good as their marketing and that he'd use a conventional style pressure plate and clutch any day. Get something else.

I am managing to get another under warranted. Maybe I can sell it and buy another brand. Any recommendations for good pedal feel with something that will hold the power? Theres so many clutches out there and everyone has people that love them and hate them.