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Clutch pedal went completely limp!?

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Old Jan 16, 2010 | 05:02 PM
  #1  
86Trans350's Avatar
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Car: 86 Trans am
Engine: (LM1) 350 GM Goodwrench Engine
Transmission: T5
Clutch pedal went completely limp!?

I was driving home and pushed the clutch in @ a intersection, heard a little pop from somewhere near the firewall and now the clutch pedal just dangles on its hinge with no pressure what so ever. I looked for leaks & see nothing, the clutch master cylinder is full. the clutch is 2 years old and a beefy aftermarket one. I pulled the cover off from around the pedals and don't see anything unusual although I don't know what I should be looking for anyway. Any Idears???
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Old Jan 16, 2010 | 06:38 PM
  #2  
plasmeh's Avatar
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From: Binghamton, NY
Car: 1986 IROC-Z
Engine: 360cu @ 10.5:1
Transmission: T56 - Pro 5.0
Axle/Gears: 4.10 - Zexel Torsen - Moser Axles
Re: Clutch pedal went completely limp!?

Sounds like what happened with me as well, but no one has responded to me yet. There is a small bushing that holds the clutch pedal arm to the master cylinder push rod. If that bushing breaks, the push rod can slip off the clutch pedal arm, thus making the clutch inoperable. I need to figure out the name of the exact part...
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Old Jan 16, 2010 | 09:45 PM
  #3  
John in RI's Avatar
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Car: 1984 Camaro Berlinetta
Engine: LT1
Transmission: T56 6-speed
Axle/Gears: 4.11 LS1 Rear End
Re: Clutch pedal went completely limp!?

I've had ZIP ties holding my clutch rod to the pedal for about 8 years now. If your not noticing a loss of fluid - checking that rod is a good place start. If the rod is intact and still no fluid loss - the problem could possibly a blown internal seal in the hydraulic system.

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Old Jan 17, 2010 | 06:16 AM
  #4  
plasmeh's Avatar
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From: Binghamton, NY
Car: 1986 IROC-Z
Engine: 360cu @ 10.5:1
Transmission: T56 - Pro 5.0
Axle/Gears: 4.10 - Zexel Torsen - Moser Axles
Re: Clutch pedal went completely limp!?

Zip ties eh? Why didn't I think of that, lol! I'll see what I can rig up.
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Old Jan 17, 2010 | 08:21 AM
  #5  
91RS5speed's Avatar
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From: Duluth, Ga
Car: 91 RS
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: Auburn Pro / 3.42
Re: Clutch pedal went completely limp!?

Ether the peg on the pedal has wore or the eye hole on the clutch setup has. Possibly both.
Attached Thumbnails Clutch pedal went completely limp!?-8292clutchpedalassm.jpg   Clutch pedal went completely limp!?-9397lt1t56slavecyl.jpg  
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Old Jan 17, 2010 | 12:29 PM
  #6  
plasmeh's Avatar
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From: Binghamton, NY
Car: 1986 IROC-Z
Engine: 360cu @ 10.5:1
Transmission: T56 - Pro 5.0
Axle/Gears: 4.10 - Zexel Torsen - Moser Axles
Re: Clutch pedal went completely limp!?

What is the best way to make sure those two stay connected? I'm kind of confused how a zip-tie would work here.
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Old Jan 17, 2010 | 03:35 PM
  #7  
alloy's Avatar
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From: Vancouver, WA
Car: 87 IROC-Z28
Engine: 305 TPI-New 355 on the engine stand
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 3.73 Eaton posi-Soon a 9" Ford!
Re: Clutch pedal went completely limp!?

If it was the plastic bushing that broke you can get a new one from GM. The busing has 3 small catches on it and they break and the rod falls off. If you look on the pin the rod goes on it has a groove in it for a snap ring.

I didn't want my bushing to break again and have to drive another 7 miles in first gear, so I bought a new bushing and snap ring from GM. I discovered you can't use the bushing with the snap ring unless you break the little catches off. I felt that a snap ring would be safer than the little plastic catches, so I cut the catches off and slipped it on and used the snap ring. That was years ago and it's still working great.

I'll take a look but I think I have a spare bushing and ring. If I do I'll take a pic and post it for you.
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Old Jan 17, 2010 | 07:46 PM
  #8  
86Trans350's Avatar
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Car: 86 Trans am
Engine: (LM1) 350 GM Goodwrench Engine
Transmission: T5
Re: Clutch pedal went completely limp!?

Thanks for the responses, you guys are the $hit. I'll look more in depth once the rain stops.

Last edited by 86Trans350; Jan 17, 2010 at 07:59 PM.
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Old May 23, 2013 | 04:25 PM
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Re: Clutch pedal went completely limp!?

So, here's my deal. Same problem but I already replaced the bushing and it went bad three says later. Dealership didn't even look at it and said its my throwout bearing. I don't see how
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Old Dec 26, 2013 | 04:23 PM
  #10  
W.E.G.'s Avatar
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From: northern VA
Car: 88 Sport Coupe Camaro
Engine: V6 2.8
Transmission: Borg-Warner T-5
Axle/Gears: RPO/GU6: 3.42
Re: Clutch pedal went completely limp!?

cross-reference this thread for info on the bushing that connects the clutch pedal and the clutch cylinder rod:
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/tran...re-1988-a.html
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Old Dec 26, 2013 | 05:21 PM
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From: Macon, GA
Car: 1992 Camaro RS
Engine: Vortec headed 355, xe262
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 9-bolt 3.70
Re: Clutch pedal went completely limp!?

Sounds like the pedal popped off the master cylinder rod. Should be a little plastic clip. Check under the dash and see if they're connected. If they're not, pull what's left of the clip off the peg on the pedal and order a new one. You may be able to pop it back on and try to hold it there with a zip tie until the new clip you order arrives.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/83-92-CAMARO-FIREBIRD-5-SPEED-CLUTCH-PEDAL-ARM-BRACKET-RETAINER-CLIP-BUSHING-/390616351540?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Model%3ACamaro&hash=item5af28c8334&vxp=mtr
That seems awfully expensive, but that's probably the part you need. Obviously you need to check down there to see what's actually happened for yourself.
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Old Dec 27, 2013 | 10:02 AM
  #12  
W.E.G.'s Avatar
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From: northern VA
Car: 88 Sport Coupe Camaro
Engine: V6 2.8
Transmission: Borg-Warner T-5
Axle/Gears: RPO/GU6: 3.42
Re: Clutch pedal went completely limp!?

Originally Posted by InfernalVortex
That seems awfully expensive, but that's probably the part you need. Obviously you need to check down there to see what's actually happened for yourself.
$15 shipped on eBay is cheaper than GMpartsdirect.com.

GMpartsdirect.com is charging $15 just for shipping.
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Old Mar 16, 2017 | 01:16 PM
  #13  
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Re: Clutch pedal went completely limp!?

Originally Posted by John in RI
I've had ZIP ties holding my clutch rod to the pedal for about 8 years now. If your not noticing a loss of fluid - checking that rod is a good place start. If the rod is intact and still no fluid loss - the problem could possibly a blown internal seal in the hydraulic system.

Thanks for the tip. I just replaced my clutch master cylinder on my 84 trans am. The new MC came with the plastic clip, and I just went with that. I was barely able to get the metal clip off the original clutch. There is simply no room under the dash! GM must have switched from metal retainers to plastic snap ons for that reason. I ran a good size zip tie around the MC rod and clutch pedal. My first attempt didn't work, because the zip tie was too tight. The clutch pedal wouldn't go up all the way. I didn't tighten so hard on my next attempt, and it seems to work. Ghetto peace of mind, I guess.
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Old Jun 26, 2017 | 01:11 PM
  #14  
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From: Harrisburg PA
Car: 86 Trans Am
Engine: 305 H Caode
Transmission: 5 Speed
Axle/Gears: probably 308
Re: Clutch pedal went completely limp!?

I've had zip ties holding it in for months. It broke on the way to Carlisle Saturday, but no big deal, I keep a stash of zip ties in the car.
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