Clutch / Brake Pivot bolt snapped

[Skip]

The shaft in the clutch / brake pivot assay broke so the clutch and brake pedals are limp.

The clutch has been getting progressively harder and harder to push in. The clutch was engaging the final 2 or 3 inches when the pedal was pressed to the floor. It took a good amount of pressure to push it. I assume this pressure broke the shaft.

Before it broke, I tried to fix it, I checked the clutch cable from the firewall which was at its fullest extension. I replaced the tension spring under the car with a lighter gage (the other one looked a little big) and it seemed to help a little for a couple weeks. I also had a lot of trouble loosening the 8mm nut on the bell housing. I made sure I used an 8mm box wrench vs. a socked per the words of a member who posted to an issue someone else had. But I couldn’t adjust the arm.

I realize the issue is deeper than the pivot bolt; however I need to get one to address the underlying problem. All the parts cars available to me are automatic – Can anyone point me to a pivot bolt? Does anyone have advice on this matter? Thanks in advance!

[Gary]

Chris - Do you need the entire pedal assembly or just the shaft?

[Anonymous D]

A hard clutch could develop from a number of causes:

Clutch cable improperly adjusted at firewall
Clutch cable improperly adjusted at bellhousing
Clutch cable stretched internally
Clutch arm in bellhousing is bending
Clutch release bearing wearing out
Clutch disc or pressure plate wearing out

Another factor is stress on the pivot bolt. If the car is a 1968-1971 GT, this could
be alleviated, with installation of the pedal pivot bolt bracket to the firewall (as installed originally in 1972-1973 GT's).

[Skip]

Hey Gary - I just need the shaft ( i think). Everything else appears to be ok. I will know if other components of the assembly were damaged when I try to get the replacement shaft. Thanks!

[Skip]

I will run down the list. How do I tell if the cable has been stretched? As for the pedal pivot bracket, Thanks for the heads up. I will look for one. Thanks for the help!

[Gary]

Originally Posted by Skip Hey Gary - I just need the shaft ( i think). Everything else appears to be ok. I will know if other components of the assembly were damaged when I try to get the replacement shaft. Thanks!

Alright, I'm going out to my shed to search. If I am not back online in 2 hours, send out a search party........

[Gary]

Found everything but the GT pedal assembly. Got one for an automatic, one from an Ascona, but could not get to the right box where I think it is....

Did manage to find 4 pair of GT door handles that I was looking for last March. Several distributor caps that I needed. A good 012 distributor and a SSD manifold that I had completely forgotten about.

[PROPEL]

I think Skip's problem lies in the throwout bearing or clutch. The clutch fork was incredibly hard to move back and forth from underneath. And if he was able to break the pedal by applying so much force, there's also a chance that the cable will be stretched, too.

Skip, are you going to be able to make German Car Day?

[kwilford]

Originally Posted by PROPEL I think Skip's problem lies in the throwout bearing or clutch. The clutch fork was incredibly hard to move back and forth from underneath. And if he was able to break the pedal by applying so much force, there's also a chance that the cable will be stretched, too.

On a couple of occasions, I have had the release bearing seize onto the guide tube. On one, I had to remove the guide tube (held in place on the bell-housing with a circlip at the rear IIRC) and then use a torch to heat it up and then lots of penetrant and even the hot wax trick, then my hydraulic press to VIGOROUSLY press the bearing off the tube. Ruined the release bearing but I was able to salvage the bell housing. The inner diameter of the release bearing was just slightly larger than the tub OD. and with a bit of corrosion, the release bearing became "one" with the tube.

HTH

[Skip]

I'm glad you made it back in one piece Gary! Are you able to use the parts you just found that you needed last March? Hey, you could put together a tag sale/BBQ and kill a few birds with one stone!

Thanks for risking life and limb to find the part. I appreciate the help. I really wanted to get the car going for next week. Maybe I can steel away for a minute and run up to Bugaboo Creek to bug tonight. Thanks again Gary!

[Skip]

Originally Posted by kwilford On a couple of occasions, I have had the release bearing seize onto the guide tube. HTH

Thanks kwilford - I really hope that isnt it but I will check. Skip