*This is for the mechanical linkage ('82-83) and as far as i know, does not apply to the hydraulic linkage ('84+)*


Well, I myself have never heard of this happening before (here or elsewere) but I solved my clutch problem. I am posting this incase anyone else may have the same problem.

About a week ago, for some reason the clutch just dumped on me, would not disengage at all. When i got it home, me and my dad looked around all through the linkage and everything looked fine, except for the rubber bushing on the clutch pedal. We replaced that and it didn't help at all.

So today, after me and my cousin oddly had the same idea at the same time, i dug into the linkage and systematically dismantled (read: tore apart) most of the linkage. I disconnected the rod on the clutch fork and the springs, then took out the 2 bolts holding the cross bar, the bar that goes from the body to that **** on the engine block, and took off the clip that holds it to the pushrod for the pedal. Well, this part turned out to be the problem...

Where the pedal pushrod connects is a flat lever that is perpendicular to the cross bar, i found a MASSIVE crack in it... it was about 3/4 inch long and was twisted upward about 1/4 inch.

Looks like i'm gonna have to take it to school tomorrow to weld it up, then probably beef it up a little just to be sure.

Has anyone heard of this happening before? I have never heard of or seen this before... is this a common problem?

 

Very common in all cars that use a "Z" bar. Especialy common, almost inevitable, in the old muscle cars when you put a real stiff clutch in them. I can only remember once that it happened to me, but it happened to various of my friends alot too.

You can weld it; it won't hold. Make the weld as strong as you want but the metal right next to it will simply break off next.

That's one of the reasons I got rid of the mechanical linkage in my car and put in hydraulics the minute I could get my hands on a set.

 

I've heard the 82-83 mechanical linkage is kinda lousy, but haven't seen it first hand.

Personally I've run 84-92 hydraulics in a g-body, and put a few miles on a friends 91 305 T5 Z28, and I've also driven a handful of mechanical linkage cars, plus used mechanical linkage in a g-body. I prefer the hydraulics.

Matthew

 

Yea, i got it welded up and it should work well for awhile (held up for 20 years, should last a few more months)

I'm hoping to find a good hydraulic clutch sometime though