SAAC Forum

The Cars => 1967 Shelby GT350/500 => Topic started by: 67 GT350 on October 23, 2022, 07:50:34 PM

Title: Clutch bushings. How to stretch that spring above the left foot??
Post by: 67 GT350 on October 23, 2022, 07:50:34 PM
What is the best and easiest way to "deal" with the clutch spring under the dash? How do you actually unhook it and re-hook it? I have heard remove the whole assembly? I have heard somehow shoving coin in-between the spring thus enlarging it so you can take it out and put it back in?? Pair of pliers and using all you might to stretch it and remove it??? OR?
Title: Re: Clutch bushings. How to stretch that spring above the left foot??
Post by: CSX4781 on October 23, 2022, 08:12:45 PM
Disconnect the rod from the pedal, then put the pedal on the floor (the spring will hold it there). Then, unbolt and remove the clutch pedal stop that the pedal is up against at the top of its travel. After remove it, CAREFULLY pull the pedal up off the floor (I'd do it with my foot on the pedal). Once the pedal comes up past where that stop is, the spring relaxes and it can be removed. Reverse procedure to reinstall.

Dave
Title: Re: Clutch bushings. How to stretch that spring above the left foot??
Post by: tgilliam on October 24, 2022, 09:03:01 AM
A question I have is "why" do you want to do anything to that spring under the dash? What ever problem you are trying to address - there is a 90% chance that the spring IS NOT the problem. From past experience I would suggest doing some really good investigation before attacking the spring.
Most of the possible problems will require dealing with the spring but the spring is probably not the problem.

Tom Gilliam
tom@jtgil.com
Title: Re: Clutch bushings. How to stretch that spring above the left foot??
Post by: 67 GT350 on October 24, 2022, 11:00:59 AM
I need to rebuild the bushings, all pedals are wobbly. Clutch and Brake pedal.
Title: Re: Clutch bushings. How to stretch that spring above the left foot??
Post by: Bob Gaines on October 24, 2022, 01:41:19 PM
Quote from: 67 GT350 on October 24, 2022, 11:00:59 AM
I need to rebuild the bushings, all pedals are wobbly. Clutch and Brake pedal.
There is major work to be done if the pedal bushings have failed. Most of the time it is just the bushing. Other times the bushing is destroyed and the arm wears into the adjoining metal of the bracket. Not to say you couldn't finagle something with it still in the car but if is easier in the long run for the work to be done with entire bracket removed from the car. Rebuild kits are available or a replacement bracket with intact bushing is available (with slight modification ) from 100's of thousands of donor cars.
Title: Re: Clutch bushings. How to stretch that spring above the left foot??
Post by: JD on October 24, 2022, 02:21:59 PM
If the shaft needs replace and not worried about original there is a roller bearing replacement shaft kit that is very nice/smooth.  Removing the assembly is required.

Also, if rebuilding original, order all the pieces-parts, you may not know what is or isn't missing, it all works better with them.
Title: Re: Clutch bushings. How to stretch that spring above the left foot??
Post by: gt350bp on October 24, 2022, 06:08:22 PM
The roller bushings are the way to go if you intend to drive the car. This will be some of the best money spent, as it takes any wobble out of the pedals and allows smooth operation.

Don
gt350bp
Title: Re: Clutch bushings. How to stretch that spring above the left foot??
Post by: 67 GT350 on October 24, 2022, 09:59:21 PM
Where do you get that kit?
Title: Re: Clutch bushings. How to stretch that spring above the left foot??
Post by: silverton_ford on October 24, 2022, 10:23:45 PM
https://www.virginiaclassicmustang.com/65-70-BRAKE-AND-CLUTCH-PEDAL-SUPPORT-REPAIR-KIT-WITH-ROLLER-BEARINGS-P343.aspx (https://www.virginiaclassicmustang.com/65-70-BRAKE-AND-CLUTCH-PEDAL-SUPPORT-REPAIR-KIT-WITH-ROLLER-BEARINGS-P343.aspx)


How to... - https://www.virginiaclassicmustang.com/howto/instructions/64-70ClutchPedalBearingInstr.pdf (https://www.virginiaclassicmustang.com/howto/instructions/64-70ClutchPedalBearingInstr.pdf)
Title: Re: Clutch bushings. How to stretch that spring above the left foot??
Post by: T-Bone68 on November 11, 2022, 01:56:36 AM
To the original question, I found this video very helpful when I removed and rebuilt my pedal assembly.  He removes an automatic pedal set to install a manual set, but key pieces of this video that helped me:
-Definitely go ahead and remove the fresh air vent and drop the parking brake handle like he does.  Also removing the instrument cluster helped.
-I removed mine the same way he shows putting his in at about 8min 30sec.
-Putting the pedal assembly in the vice like he does to assemble the spring was very helpful.  It significantly reduces the flex working against you.  I bought a pair of rubber coated soft jaws for my vice to not mark up my pedal set lip.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8b37fLoIN8

Removing the spring:  I was able to get to the 3 screws holding the bracket on.  I removed 2 screws and loosened the 3rd so the bracket could swivel and let go the tension.  Wear safety glasses just in case, but mine let go without issue.  There are a number of posts on Mustang forums saying after you remove the retaining pin you can push the clutch pedal to the floor and then slide it out sideways enough to pass the pedal stop.  I don't know how they did it.  Couldn't get mine to budge that way.