Clutch and Brake Pedal Bracket Rebuild

[Bill B.]

I recently had a clutch cross shaft break and it is now repaired and I'm back on the road. However, on inspection of all the components I have what I consider to be excessive play in the clutch pedal where it mounts to the clutch/brake bracket. Are there any tutorials or articles about rebuilding the bracket assembly and parts required? I plan on making it a winter project when I can take my time. Also, the fires here in Northern Ca. are very close and I don't want the car apart where I couldn't move it if I had to get it out of the garage. Thanks.

Bill B.

[Frank D.]

Re: Clutch and Brake Pedal Bracket Rebuild

First off, I hope those fires stay away from you!

A lot depends on the definition of "repaired" and "excessive" I'm thinking. If the repair was the original pedal and the job well done by a competent welder then we can move on, if it was a so-so repair or one of the crappy repro pedals then there might be some issues. The repros are tacked in two places at the cross shaft with no real weld penetration (see pics) and if you get a year out of them count yourself lucky. First pic is repro pedal weld and second after some light grinding to reweld properly - NO real penetration.

Now, IF the repair was done well then there may be other issues, did you replace the nylon bushings and secure the end of the pedal cross shaft with the right clip ? These are the same bushing used on the headlight bucket shafts and the clip is designed to keep lateral tension on the shaft.

I would try to look (or take a movie) of the weld at the top of the pedal as you work the pedal back and forth to see if its holding, if so, then do the same thing on the other end (at the clip) and see if the end of the shaft is moving.

Is the movement side to side or you think there is too much free play (possibly adjustment)?
I assume you assembled the clutch pedal in the "normal" position and not the "fast" position (which will give the pedal operation an entirely different feel).

[Bill B.]

Re: Clutch and Brake Pedal Bracket Rebuild

Thank you, Frank. Your help is much appreciated.

Bill B.

[Duke W.]

Re: Clutch and Brake Pedal Bracket Rebuild

Do you have all the service manuals and AIM for your model year?

Duke

[Leif A.]

Re: Clutch and Brake Pedal Bracket Rebuild

I recently had a clutch cross shaft break and it is now repaired and I'm back on the road. However, on inspection of all the components I have what I consider to be excessive play in the clutch pedal where it mounts to the clutch/brake bracket. Are there any tutorials or articles about rebuilding the bracket assembly and parts required? I plan on making it a winter project when I can take my time. Also, the fires here in Northern Ca. are very close and I don't want the car apart where I couldn't move it if I had to get it out of the garage. Thanks.

Bill B.

Bill,
Is the excessive play in the pedal bracket, or the clutch rod and pin? Could it be elsewhere? Is the rubber bumper in place and good condition? There are so many moving parts in the linkage from the clutch pedal all the way down the the throw-out bearing. If any or many of those parts are not the correct part and installed correctly, you're going to have what you're describing as "excessive play". You need to start at the cluch pedal assembly and work your way through the firewall and down to the bellhousing, checking everything for part correctness, installation correctness and tightness.

[Bill B.]

Re: Clutch and Brake Pedal Bracket Rebuild

Bill,
Is the excessive play in the pedal bracket, or the clutch rod and pin? Could it be elsewhere? Is the rubber bumper in place and good condition? There are so many moving parts in the linkage from the clutch pedal all the way down the the throw-out bearing. If any or many of those parts are not the correct part and installed correctly, you're going to have what you're describing as "excessive play". You need to start at the cluch pedal assembly and work your way through the firewall and down to the bellhousing, checking everything for part correctness, installation correctness and tightness.

Clutch rod and pin look good. Last week I installed a new clutch cross shaft, ball studs and clutch pedal rod. I can see movement where the clutch pedal mounts to the bracket and I want to take care of it before it decides to fail on a drive. The car rarely leaves the garage in the winter so it's a good winter project and will give me peace of mind.

Bill B.

[Bill B.]

Re: Clutch and Brake Pedal Bracket Rebuild

Do you have all the service manuals and AIM for your model year?

Duke

I have the AIM and 63 service manual with the 65 supplement. In my search thru the archive's I can't find a tutorial or article but the further I research the subject the more I think I'll be ok. It doesn't appear to be too complicated. Hope I don't regret that statement, lol.

Bill B.

[Frank D.]

Re: Clutch and Brake Pedal Bracket Rebuild

Sure you meant the 64 supplement ... Its easy enough to disconnect the clutch rod at the pedal and isolate the underhood mechanicals from the cockpit mechanicals. But I'll say if you've done the checks at each end of the pedal cross shaft I suggested above you prob have normal play.
Just check the pedal every so often like this (my broken 63 pedal) and you will know for sure.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bt8qgKqN5lc