How much feel is typical?

[Terrorist 5.0]

Hi everyone, finished putting a new clutch and associated parts in the car and have been driving it for about a week now. Apart from a couple issues like bucking in 4th gear (I found a small vacuum leak (HVAC line) that I fixed and am going to reset the computer soon to clear any KAM), I am pretty happy. I only have a small gripe.

The clutch pedal rattles a little a little at idle, and vibrates some when disengaged with some RPM. No clutch chatter. Now, I’ve driven some standard cars before, quite a few actually, but this car is the first one I have driven that was cable actuated. I would say by design, you are going to feel a little bit, but how much is normal?

Just some background, the parts in question are:

1. SVE flywheel with 50oz imbalance

2. McLeod street level clutch kit (rated for 300HP)

3. New clutch fork and pivot stud

4. FRPP pilot bearing

5. Ford OEM throw out bearing

On top of this slight vibration, I can hear some slight rattle of the throw out bearing in the transmission with my foot off the clutch. I have a good understanding on how this stuff works, and right now I am taking off the dust cover to see if my fork is vibrating excessively. My TOB preload is at 7 and a half pounds, clutch grabs fairly close to the floor and my free play measures about half an inch at the pedal.

My thought process right now is that I can up the preload on the throw out bearing and quiet the noise down, but I’m not sure how much I can do so without putting the bearing and clutch at risk of rapid wear. Also, McLeod instructs to have an air gap, which is obviously incorrect which also makes me think maybe the tolerances in the pressure plate don’t warrant constant TOB contact and smooth operation.

 

[Terrorist 5.0]

Just checked, clutch fork is vibrating at idle with clutch out, but a very small amount, dust cover shows no marks from being hit from clutch fork. Clutch fork is pushed into pivot stud properly.

 

[ttocs]

Ideally there should be no vibrations in the clutch. If there is then something is not perfect but it is hard to tell over the net.

 

[Terrorist 5.0]

Ideally there should be no vibrations in the clutch. If there is then something is not perfect but it is hard to tell over the net.

I was thinking the same thing, but being as I have no experience with a cable clutch, and that nothing is ever really perfect, does anybody here (including you ttocs) have ANY vibrations what so ever? Mine are minor if I say so myself, but then again I don’t know exactly what normal is. I should correct myself, does anybody have any feedback through the pedal? Hydraulic setups are just numb, but I’m sure with a cable (a preloaded one as well) you would feel something, right?

 

[ttocs]

I have been driving the car since it was new in 94, and since switched to a t56 magnum a few years back. The only time I ever noticed anything in the clutch was when the throw out bearing was on its way out. A vibration tells me something is out of alignment or is not balanced correctly but the other guys on here know far more about trannys than me

 

[96blak54]

A firewall adjuster helps with cable slack. The cable slack allows the pedel to dangle and giggle.

 

[Terrorist 5.0]

I have been driving the car since it was new in 94, and since switched to a t56 magnum a few years back. The only time I ever noticed anything in the clutch was when the throw out bearing was on its way out. A vibration tells me something is out of alignment or is not balanced correctly but the other guys on here know far more about trannys than me

That would make perfect sense. Thank you for the input.

 

[Terrorist 5.0]

A firewall adjuster helps with cable slack. The cable slack allows the pedel to dangle and giggle.

I have a firewall adjuster and aluminum quadrant, I have the preload adjusted to between 7 and 8 pounds. Supposedly Ford recommends 5 pounds (1992 Foxbody service manual), I upped it a bit because this pressure plate has a slightly higher clamping load than stock. I like the firm pedal.

 

[Joeminnesota]

My 2004 GT has the same issue and you’ll find all kinds of discussion on rattling clutch pedals on the 1990’s to early 2000 Mustangs. I am running a McCleod Super Sreet Pro and same issue - the Q@A from McCleod actually says that some chatter is normal with these clutches - and mine with new flywheel & everything balanced. Some say replace the quadrant near your pedal (which I have) or firewall adjuster (which I have) and still pedal vibration. Comes with the territory.

Another solution I have read was to add tape or sealant around the quadrant shaft to cushion gap where it vibrates. Anyhow a lot of cars have the issue. I would probably NOT pre-load your throwout to try and avoid the rattle.