[Ophitoxaemia]

my crazy mustang friend took my car out for one run and busted the clutch cable clear off. it was probably fraying for some time though.

any tips to fix this? its really tight in there and im not exactly sure where the rest of the cable is. it seems to wind from the pedal up back under the dash.

thanks,

-james

 

[John Phillips]

James, the quadrant that the clutch cable runs over before exiting through the firewall is almost directly above the accelerator pedal, WAY up inside the footbox. Best viewed laying on your back, butt in the driver seat, head inserted into the floor of the footbox, legs extending up from the seat and hooked over the roll bar. You're gonna love fixing this thing. I bet the cable broke somewhere near where the tit at the end of the cable hooks onto the quadrant. My footbox top is off now, if needed I can send ya some pics. Let me know if I can help...except for the getting upside down inside the footbox, you're on your own with that one!

Caution: if it's an aluminum quadrant, be sure it's lined up properly with the cable. If misaligned, the alum. quadrant side wall can eventually cut through the woven metal cable. I did it with #1152. Fix was to shim the quadrant on it's mount to the proper position.

 

[forrest1]

James,

Since you didn't build, here's a photo that may help. This is looking straight down onto the clutch quadrant with the top of the drivers footbox removed. The quadrant and adjuster are in red (Forte's adjustable).

You can probably stick the new cable in and hook it over the quadrant from the engine side, then attach it at the bellhousing end, IF you have an adjustable quadrant. If you have the stock plastic one, you may need to de-adjust it first--I really know nothing about the stock quadrants.

HTH

Forrest

 

[Larry N. Johnson]

The stock one is pretty much similar to the one above except it self-adjusts with a built-in ratchet on the quadrant.

Does this situation make a case for some removable cover over the clutch quadrant?

 

[Ophitoxaemia]

thanks! i crawled under there at the autocross and could see the quadrant (theres no need for a cover), but the picture and description helped me see where it connects to the outside. the quadrant is white, and so i assume it is plastic.

but i want to make sure it doesnt fray again- there's only 24K miles on the car and thats embarassing for my car to break.

one part i couldnt see is how it connects to the pedal itself- there is some plastic stuff sticking out of the box thing on the pedal- where does the cable attach?

thx,

-james

 

[Tim Cronin]

The cable attachs pretty much in the same location on the OEM quadrant. There is a release lever in the front of the quadrant that will let the quadrant swing forward making it easier to attach the new cable.
TEC

 

[John Baker]

James,
Here's a picture of the stock quadrant. The cable rests in a groove on the top edge of the quadrant and passes over the hinged pawl at the front of the quadrant.

[ November 25, 2002, 12:43 AM: Message edited by: John Baker ]

 

[Gary Evans]

just FYI but you probably allready know those plastic quadrants break often, particularily if you have a heavier then stock clutch.

 

[Ophitoxaemia]

one last thing, is the cable the same as the stock mustang clutch cable? i.e. i need to know how to buy a replacement.

the quadrant appeared to be in good condition... and ive driven for many hours in stop and go traffic (enough to make my foot very sore!)

-james

 

[Gary Evans]

yup mines the stock donor mustang part.

 

[Dior55]

I think I paid $16 for my replacement clutch cable at AutoZone. Not very hard to change. Just remember, if you have stock plastic quadrant, it is spring loaded, so after you hook the cable onto the quadrant you have to really pull on the cable from underneath the car to hook the other end onto the clutch fork.

Oh, and don't blame your buddy, these cables snap all the time!

Wait till your POS plastic quadrant breaks and you have to change that!!! Been there, done that, not a happy camper!!!

 

[bill32]

James, don't bother trying to fix it. You can buy a brand new clutch cable assembly an most auto parts stores for about $39 to $45. Your old one was probably frayed, causing the break.

 

[Jim Smith]

Dior55 What was involved with the quardrant change.This winters project is a tranny upgrade(3550) and while I'm there I was going to replace the stock cable and do an adjuster and aluminum quadrant.But it does look like a Fun job.Just wondering how many beers this job is going to take .

 

[weendoggy]

James, you may also want to check how the cable moves through the front bulkhead when you're done. I moved my pivot on my aluminum quadrant so the cable would not rub on the housing going through the bulkhead. Be sure to check it throughout the full travel range. I agree with others, buy a new one. It'll be a lot less headaches than trying to "Murphy" fix that one, and that's even IF you could fix it.