Clutch Pedal Sticky?

Night Hawk · Jan 25, 2025

Hi All,
When my 4 Spd Top Loader warms up the clutch pedal does not come all the way up after pressed in. It's comes to about 80% then it sticks there. I can move it the remaining with my foot. Has anyone seen this before? Also when I depress the clutch it sounds like an old man with squeaking spring movement, do I need to add some grease somewhere? Besides this the transmission shifts amazing and the clutch works great. Thanks in advance.

A picture from the cars and coffee I took it to this morning....

MikeGriese · Jan 25, 2025

Sounds like you have a bunch of bushings failing. The clutch mechanism is completely mechanical, consisting of rods, a z-bar, pivots and springs. The z-bar in particular is susceptible to pivot hole bushes wearing out and the holes egging over time. You will want to start at the clutch pedal itself and then work your way out into the engine compartment and under the car and look for slop in the mechanism. Remove and replace as warranted.

Hemikiller · Jan 25, 2025

Like Mike said, it could be a stacking of tolerances with worn bushings and other components. You can temporarily "fix" it by re-setting the free play at the clutch fork pushrod to factory spec.

Stanglover · Jan 25, 2025

My first question is; did you replace the clutch with a newer style diaphragm? If you did and did not remove the original assist spring mounted at the top of the pedal arm, it will stick part way up.
Other than that, it could be as mentioned, a stack up of worn parts.

Night Hawk · Jan 25, 2025

Thanks for the responses. The car did get a new clutch decades ago with little miles put on. I was having issues with the linkages and found the bolt holding the rod cluster had come completely loose. This pedal stick did not happen decades ago but has gotten worse over time. Even though the car has very little miles since being restored time seems to take a toll. I will check under the dash - my most hated spot to check - and also back under the car.

Stanglover · Jan 26, 2025

This picture from the manual is, like many, pretty poor quality, but shows where the assist spring is located. I sketched in where I installed oillite bronze bushes and that made a huge difference to clutch operation.
When I removed the one in my car, I used a Dremel and cut the spring, but this may not have been the best way to do it. There is considerable pressure on it, so be careful.

Cleveland Crush · Jan 26, 2025

Another simple thing to check Night Hawk: Get a flashlight and verify the clutch rod (from clutch pedal to zbar) is not bent and rubbing on the steering column or fire wall area while being depressed and release.

Bill Perkins · Jan 26, 2025

Night Hawk said:
Hi All,
When my 4 Spd Top Loader warms up the clutch pedal does not come all the way up after pressed in. It's comes to about 80% then it sticks there. I can move it the remaining with my foot. Has anyone seen this before? Also when I depress the clutch it sounds like an old man with squeaking spring movement, do I need to add some grease somewhere? Besides this the transmission shifts amazing and the clutch works great. Thanks in advance.

A picture from the cars and coffee I took it to this morning....

View attachment 97047

Beautiful Ride, very nice

Night Hawk · Feb 7, 2025

Ok I think I found the culprit. This bushing below seems worn. Does anyone know what it’s called and where I can find it? Thank you.

Cleveland Crush · Feb 7, 2025

Night Hawk said:
Ok I think I found the culprit. This bushing below seems worn. Does anyone know what it’s called and where I can find it? Thank you.

View attachment 97453

Replace BOTH sides (frame side & bell housing side). Also Inspect/replace the wear bushings at the top and bottom of the clutch rod. Many of us upgraded to bronze bushings at the top and bottom of the clutch rod. Keep everything well lubed.

https://autokrafters.com/clutch-equ...-torino-1971-77-maverick-z-bar-c5az-7543ckit/

Night Hawk · Feb 7, 2025

Cleveland Crush said:
Replace BOTH sides (frame side & bell housing side). Also Inspect/replace the wear bushings at the top and bottom of the clutch rod. Many of us upgraded to bronze bushings at the top and bottom of the clutch rod. Keep everything well lubed.

https://autokrafters.com/clutch-equ...-torino-1971-77-maverick-z-bar-c5az-7543ckit/

Thank you very much. I ordered the kit and some other parts on that website. Where did you find the bronze bushings for the clutch rod? Thanks again.

Cleveland Crush · Feb 7, 2025

Night Hawk said:
Thank you very much. I ordered the kit and some other parts on that website. Where did you find the bronze bushings for the clutch rod? Thanks again.

Here's one of several sources:
Some members machined their own (that's you @Stanglover !) I used bronze car door bushings available at any car parts store and fit perfectly.

https://www.kentuckymustang.com/clu...l8_acJMF2zFu03-FbItQaizBwipkDUZ4aAu6OEALw_wcB

Stanglover · Feb 8, 2025

Cleveland Crush said:
Here's one of several sources:
Some members machined their own (that's you @Stanglover !) I used bronze car door bushings available at any car parts store and fit perfectly.

https://www.kentuckymustang.com/clu...l8_acJMF2zFu03-FbItQaizBwipkDUZ4aAu6OEALw_wcB

I did my clutch rod bushings many years ago because plastic bushings wear out too fast and the obvious choice was bronze. At the time, I didn't even think about looking for ready made and besides, I bought mine at wholesale cost! Were they available back then, I don't know, but obviously someone was thinking the same thing.
I would highly recommend anyone doing a clutch refurbish, add these bronze bushings. Also at the clutch fork pivot...... if you can find one that fits. Mine was so worn, I made a special bush just for that.

Cleveland Crush · Feb 8, 2025

Stanglover said:
I did my clutch rod bushings many years ago because plastic bushings wear out too fast and the obvious choice was bronze. At the time, I didn't even think about looking for ready made and besides, I bought mine at wholesale cost! Were they available back then, I don't know, but obviously someone was thinking the same thing.
I would highly recommend anyone doing a clutch refurbish, add these bronze bushings. Also at the clutch fork pivot...... if you can find one that fits. Mine was so worn, I made a special bush just for that.

Clutch fork pivot bushing? Tell me more please.

Stanglover · Feb 8, 2025

Cleveland Crush said:
Clutch fork pivot bushing? Tell me more please.

Yeah could have explained that better. Clutch push rod pivot bushing on the Z bar. Go back and look at my first pdf.

Clutch Pedal Sticky?

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