clutch pedal and cable questions

[dailyptc]

I'm building an Mk3.1 complete kit with the Wilwood cast aluminum pedals and clutch cable included with the kit. My clutch feels very stiff, but I have no experience with another FF Coupe to compare it against. So it may be just right. I know Dave weighed in on the snapped clutch pedal question, but it still spooks me a little. I know it hasn't happened often, but I would sure hate to be the fourth snapped pedal after everything is closed up and nearly impossible to get at. So i'm trying to approach this problem from every angle to give myself the best shot at a long lasting clutch pedal and cable.

So, here are my two questions:

First: If I wanted to replace the pedal to the new forged style is it possible to replace just the pedal or do I need to replace the whole pedal box assembly?

And second: I have also heard that a genuine Ford clutch cable travels much smoother than the cables provided with the complete kit. Is the clutch cable provided in the complete kit a Ford factory part? And if not, is there any truth that the factory cable will result in an easier clutch action? I have read anywhere between 30%-40% smoother.

[Jason Lavigne]

We are finalizing being able to order just the pedals from Wilwood, so I do think that will be an option. As for your second question, do you have a stock clutch? We had a donor build Mk4 here that had all stock Ford parts (clutch, cable, pedal box, etc.), and it was the lightest clutch I've used in a Roadster. While smoothness is hard to quantify, some of that reduction in effort may have been due to the cable. If you have a chance, give me a call at (508)-291-3443 and we can discuss it, otherwise I'll come back to this thread with an update when I have any news on clutch pedal availability.

Jason @ FFR

[dailyptc]

Jason,

I am not using a stock clutch. I purchased the entire engine/clutch/transmission package for Fortes. What I have is a RAM 98794HD clutch mated to a Tremec TKO600 transmission. The clutch pedal action is smooth, but it's very stiff. This may, of course, be an expected result from a heavy duty clutch. And I'm fine if that's the answer, I just don't know. The stories of snapped clutch pedals has me spooked, so I'm just exploring every avenue (while it's easy to get into the foot box) to either bolster the strength of the pedal itself or reduce the pressure required a bit.

I have read on several posts that a genuine FORD clutch cable seems to operate more smoothly than the cable supplied with the complete kit. Whether it's true or not, some stated that it reduced effort by as much as 30%-40%. It seems that a pressure reduction that significant might ease some of the stresses on the pedal (and my left leg). Is the cable supplied with the complete kit a genuine FORD cable? If not, it may be worth my effort to get one and try it out. I don't mind exploring the issue, I just don't want to buy another cable if mine is already a Ford part.

[Brian Z]

The clutch cable we provide with the kit is not an oem ford cable. You can try using an oem cable, but I think most of the stiffness in the pedal is probably from your RAM clutch. It is a man's clutch. =)

Best regards,

Brian @ FFR