heat and bend Clutch pedal?

[smbundy13]

so, when i was working on the cj this weekend I noticed that when I push the clutch pedal all the way in.. the arm of the pedal hits the clutch rod.. I feel like I need to bend the clutch pedal arm so that it doesnt hit the rod.. would yall agree?

how would I go about bending it? I figured heat is the only way but there is a lot of stuff under there to set on fire..

is it difficult to just remove the pedal? so that I can heat in a vise and bend?

thanks.

 

[Hedgehog]

I suppose it could be a bent pedal arm, but those things are fairly hard and stiff. I.E. not easy to bend with normal usage.

Sounds to me like you've got some wear at the clutch pivot pin. Possibly nothing more than a worn out neoprene (I think it's neoprene/plastic anyways) sleeve/shim in the pedal pivot hole. I would check that and if possible put a washer behind the pedal/pin bracket to shim it out.

You could also have some wear on the bell crank bushings allowing the crank and clutch rod to travel a little towards the pedal arm.

All relatively simple normal maintenance fixes. Especially in our 40 year old CJ's

 

[smbundy13]

I suppose it could be a bent pedal arm, but those things are fairly hard and stiff. I.E. not easy to bend with normal usage.

Sounds to me like you've got some wear at the clutch pivot pin. Possibly nothing more than a worn out neoprene (I think it's neoprene/plastic anyways) sleeve/shim in the pedal pivot hole. I would check that and if possible put a washer behind the pedal/pin bracket to shim it out.

You could also have some wear on the bell crank bushings allowing the crank and clutch rod to travel a little towards the pedal arm.

All relatively simple normal maintenance fixes. Especially in our 40 year old CJ's

thanks. I will take a look.. I dont remember there being much side to side play in the pedal. it just looks like the pedal arm is bent..

 

[Hedgehog]

Could very well be. But, a little movement here and there can add up in the long run.

 

[Torxhead]

Interesting post, so I went and looked at mine. On my '86 the clutch rod hole has more of a oval shape to it. This allows for the rod to be mounted further forward than what is shown. When my clutch pedal is depressed it is in the same position as pictured also. So, along with what Hedge suggested, you might also want to check for worn motor mounts as they can cause the engine to move to the rear forcing that bell crank to move with it. I think the pedal arm itself is fine.

 

[smbundy13]

Interesting post, so I went and looked at mine. On my '86 the clutch rod hole has more of a oval shape to it. This allows for the rod to be mounted further forward than what is shown. When my clutch pedal is depressed it is in the same position as pictured also. So, along with what Hedge suggested, you might also want to check for worn motor mounts as they can cause the engine to move to the rear forcing that bell crank to move with it. I think the pedal arm itself is fine.

hmm.. i will have to take a look..

 

[Lumpy Grits]

I would first be looking at the clutch bellcrank bushings and general condition of the BC bracket and pivot points of the main rod.

LG

 

[smbundy13]

I would first be looking at the clutch bellcrank bushings and general condition of the BC bracket and pivot points of the main rod.

LG

any diagrams for the inexperienced ?

 

[Lumpy Grits]

GOOGLE, is your friend
http://www.cj-jeep.com/cj5-6/images/clutchlinkage.jpg

https://www.amazon.com/Omix-Ada-16919-01-Clutch-Bellcrank-Kit/dp/B000FQ7QSS

You should find a copy of the REAL factory service manual(FSM).
LG

 

[smbundy13]

GOOGLE, is your friend
http://www.cj-jeep.com/cj5-6/images/clutchlinkage.jpg

https://www.amazon.com/Omix-Ada-16919-01-Clutch-Bellcrank-Kit/dp/B000FQ7QSS

You should find a copy of the REAL factory service manual(FSM).
LG

Thanks. I will take a look.

 

[tarry99]

Have you tried moving the pedal from left to right? Up in the pedal bracket above there is a cross shaft that has a threaded nut on one end and acts as fulcrum point where both the clutch & brake pedal swing from.........I believe there is a pair of bronze bushings in that housing that could be worn out.......seems they now replace that with a bearing.......easy to take apart once the spring tension is removed from the clutch pedal..........watch for wavy tension washers on the shaft between the parts.

If you need to bend the clutch pedal take it out and clamp it in a vise or if you have a hydraulic press there use it to bend it cold back into shape.

 

[smbundy13]

Have you tried moving the pedal from left to right? Up in the pedal bracket above there is a cross shaft that has a threaded nut on one end and acts as fulcrum point where both the clutch & brake pedal swing from.........I believe there is a pair of bronze bushings in that housing that could be worn out.......seems they now replace that with a bearing.......easy to take apart once the spring tension is removed from the clutch pedal..........watch for wavy tension washers on the shaft between the parts.

If you need to bend the clutch pedal take it out and clamp it in a vise or if you have a hydraulic press there use it to bend it cold back into shape.

I havent tried to do anything yet. I will look at it next time i am in the shop.

thanks for the information!

 

[Hedgehog]

The clutch linkage Lumpy linked to is stock for some years, possibly yours, but in my never humble opinion, it's a horrible design. The bent rod end pivot joints are prone to wear. I've seen several with the rob warn 1/2 way through with it's corresponding hole egg shaped. My '75 came stock with a ball in socket knuckle arrangement that is better, but the best solution is a heim Joint conversion. This conversion is not terribly expensive and worth every penny.

 

[smbundy13]

The clutch linkage Lumpy linked to is stock for some years, possibly yours, but in my never humble opinion, it's a horrible design. The bent rod end pivot joints are prone to wear. I've seen several with the rob warn 1/2 way through with it's corresponding hole egg shaped. My '75 came stock with a ball in socket knuckle arrangement that is better, but the best solution is a heim Joint conversion. This conversion is not terribly expensive and worth every penny.

interesting, i will look into that.. my last CJ had the hydraulic clutch so the mechanical stuff is new to me.