Clutch questions

[machm1969]

I'm having issues with my '96 GT. The factory clutch started slipping yesterday. I could smell it too, luckily I was close to home. The car has 91k miles, factory clutch, quadrant, etc and has been babied most of it's life. The clutch pedal has always been stiff and engages towards the top of the pedals travel (like top 1/10th of total travel.) I have lifted back on the pedal til it clicks, but everything remains the same. I'm planning on keeping the car stock. Do I need an adjustable cable and quadrant kit? Or do I need a new clutch as well? How do I tell the difference?

Thanks,

Matt

 

[robb15033]

If it's a problem of you give it gas but it doesn't go (slips) then its probably the clutch disk. Possibly the flywheel. Unfortunately it would have to be disassembled. And that is a huge job in my book. I would keep getting opinions. If you have to disassemble it, then plan on at least replacing throw out bearing and pilot bearing. Someone at your Mustang shop may be able to maybe test drive it and make a confidant diagnosis. Google it a bunch too. Sorry not much help, clutches are tricky.

 

[MustangChris]

get under the dash and compress your clutch petal. If the quadrant flexes, you need a new one. if you you plan on keeping the car stock, replace it wil stock. if the quadrant doesnt flex (isnt flexible, isnt cracked, isnt broken) check your cable. have a friend press your clutch pedal in while you check the travel on the clutch fork. (go under car, remove 1 bolt holding dust cover on, have friend press clutch).

if you quadrant is fine, and you calbe isnt stretched, and no one has messed with the clutch recently (no chance of a greasy hand touching your flywheel) chances are its time for a new clutch.

you can drop a T45 in 2 hours. obviously things go wrong and it will take longer than that, but i wouldnt hesitate to get in there and inspect it....

if its got 91,000 miles, its probably time.

 

[Musturd]

Clutch is dying

 

[Nacho98]

FTR the clutch on my '98 engages right around the halfway point I'd say, and is nice and firm, needing moderate pressure--also had a full inspection done on my car at the dealer the other day and they said the clutch was perfect. If yours is engaging way up at the top of the pedal's travel then I'd say you've definitely got a problem, could just be an adjustment but as said, at 91k miles it's probably about time anyway.

 

[Musturd]

Yea that sounds about right some people adjust there's to engage closer to the firewall sometimes there can still be friction if adjusted to much. This can fry ur clutch quickly

 

[machm1969]

I had insomnia last night and did some thinking. I jacked up the car and removed the cover to expose the clutch fork, then I placed a piece of masking tape along side it and marked where the clutch fork sat, then I removed the cable and marked where the clutch fork is when the throwout bearing makes contact with the pressure plate. The measurement was 1/2"! So the pressure plate is being depressed 1/2" when the pedal isn't depressed. I orderd out and cable and quadrant kit from MM, I'm hoping that will fix it and the clutch didn't get damaged. Thanks for your replies and suggestions!

Matt

 

[robb15033]

I have that same quadrant w/Ford cable. Good news & good luck with it!

 

[machm1969]

Problem solved. I got under the car and noticed the fork and throw out bearing were depressing the pressure plate 1/2" when the clutch pedal wasn't being pressed. I removed the clutch cable and it's shot, it hardly moves in the sheath. I ordered a new cable, quadrant and adjuster from MM. Parts replaced, everything working great! Glad I didn't have to drop the tranny!