Rookie with a 4-speed question

-
C

cptmoney

Member
Joined
Sep 11, 2013
Messages
12
Reaction score
0
Location
western slope, CO
So - I'm wrenchin' on a '74 Duster that's got a 4-speed in it. She's ROUGH - but hopefully not finished yet.

There's something wonky with my clutch; every time I fully depress the clutch pedal, it "sticks" all the way down. Not sure why - hoping that you'll have some suggestions.

I'm wondering if there's not an additional spring that's missing - can you tell from this photo?

[ame="http://s512.photobucket.com/user/cptmoney/media/Skitch_resized_zps80fcb836.png.html"]Skitch_resized_zps80fcb836.png Photo by cptmoney | Photobucket@@AMEPARAM@@http://i512.photobucket.com/albums/t326/cptmoney/Skitch_resized_zps80fcb836.p@@AMEPARAM@@512.photobucket.com/albums/t326/cptmoney/Skitch_resized_zps80fcb836.p[/ame]

See that highlighted silver thing? What is that? There's a spring-loaded clip looking sorta thing....is there supposed to be another spring on that guy?

Any ideas?

I'm grateful for all your input - one way of the other!
 
The arrow points to the remnants of the clutch safety switch which isn't the problem. The problem is most likely that someone put a diaphragm style clutch in you car at some point in time which requires the removal of that big beefy spring in the upper right of the picture, remove the spring and the clutch pedal wont stick to the floor anymore.
 
Thanks daliant!

You think that's it, then? Ditch that fatty spring and she'll clutch in/out just fine?

I'm not home right now, but should be within a day or so....then I can check on it. Definitely hope you're on to it with that. That would be an incredibly simple fix.

In the event that's NOT it - what should I look for next?

If I depress the clutch down to about 90-95%, the pedal comes back just fine. But if you go any further, she'll stick right to the firewall. I have to "edge" it past that locked position, and she'll pop right out where she belongs. Weird.

Hopefully that's it! I really appreciate your input. There's going to be lots more questions where this one came from...I can assure you of that.
 
daliant said:
The arrow points to the remnants of the clutch safety switch which isn't the problem. The problem is most likely that someone put a diaphragm style clutch in you car at some point in time which requires the removal of that big beefy spring in the upper right of the picture, remove the spring and the clutch pedal wont stick to the floor anymore.
Click to expand...


+1. That spring is a ***** to remove in car. Be careful.
 
85glht said:
+1. That spring is a ***** to remove in car. Be careful.
Click to expand...

Here's the easy way to deal with that spring, with the pedal in the up position fill the spaces between the coils with washers, then push the pedal to the floor and the spring will have enough slack in it to pull out without a whole bunch of effort. The washers will keep the spring from retracting all the way.
 
Man - I tried the washer trick this evening, but never got the spring to give it up. You guys weren't kidding....that thing is tough.

I'll get back in there tomorrow night and set if I can get it out. I'm anxious to see if this is the fix that I need!

I'll keep you posted....



daliant said:
Here's the easy way to deal with that spring, with the pedal in the up position fill the spaces between the coils with washers, then push the pedal to the floor and the spring will have enough slack in it to pull out without a whole bunch of effort. The washers will keep the spring from retracting all the way.
Click to expand...
 
Yes you could have a diaphram clutch but before you pull the spring you should pull the inspection cover and check the pressure plate. Do you know the difference between a diaphram and a Borg and Beck (3 fingered) clutch? tmm
 
No idea. I'll do a quick search and see what I can find.

Is there an easy way to tell? After messing with that thing, I sure don't want to have to reinstall it! Haha. That thing is tough to work with.



toolmanmike said:
Yes you could have a diaphram clutch but before you pull the spring you should pull the inspection cover and check the pressure plate. Do you know the difference between a diaphram and a Borg and Beck (3 fingered) clutch? tmm
Click to expand...
 
Poke around on Brewer's site. There's both kinds pictured there. The Borg and Beck has only 3 fingers that the throw out bearing contacts. The diaphram has many small fingers that the throw out pushes against. The bearing should just clear the fingers when the pedal is all the way up. tmm

http://www.brewersperformance.com/store.asp
 
I'll try and pop that inspection plate today and see what I find.

If possible, I'll snap a few pics to show you what I'm seeing -
 
So - first off - I'm not sure I ever found the "inspection cover".

The clutch arm just went through a nice, big opening on the driver's side of the tranny. No cover or anything - just wide open. Not sure if that's normal or not...but that's the way it was.

Here's what I could see:





Looks like a diaphragm pressure plate - correct? Simply based on the number of fingers that you can see?

Anyone confirm this?

SO - that means I need to ditch the "over the top" spring, as daliant originally suggested - right?
 
See the red arrow? what its pointing to is your inspection plate. its held on with 4 bolts.

and also, you are missing the clutch arm dust sleeve that is pictured.

Just trying to inform you for future referecce and so you can get that dust sleeve
 

Attachments

  • transin.jpg
    59.8 KB · Views: 239
Wahoo!

You guys are making my night, I tell ya....

Now if I can just figure out how to get that darn spring off. That thing is a monster!

I tried the washer trick - but haven't got it off just yet. I'll give it another go as soon as I can. Anxious to see if that clutch won't act better once that spring is outta there.
 
I've been doing this backwards, I believe...

Wouldn't it make more sense to put the washers in while the pedal was pushed IN? That would extend the spring, right? Then when you let the pedal back out, the spring would retract, but would tighten up on the washers.

Maybe that's why it didn't work like magic when I tried it the first time...


daliant said:
Here's the easy way to deal with that spring, with the pedal in the up position fill the spaces between the coils with washers, then push the pedal to the floor and the spring will have enough slack in it to pull out without a whole bunch of effort. The washers will keep the spring from retracting all the way.
Click to expand...
 
Yes, do it with the clutch pedal depressed.
You can also use quarters or change to put between the coils.
 
Wait - so put the washers/quarters into the spring with the pedal depressed? Pushed IN? That's the way I tried it the first time....and I think I was close....but when I re-read daliant's suggestion, I was doing it the exact opposite way.
 
If you push the pedal down slightly (an inch or so) the spring will be at it's maximum stretch, once the pedal gets past a certain point the spring will start to contract which helps push the pedal down. The washers go in the spring when the spring is stretched which is when the pedal is up but not resting against the up-stop.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
-

Back
Top