View Full Version : Clutch pedal hitting frame
I've been avoiding this one for a while however the engine is poised and ready to be installed. The clutch pedal is hitting one of the 1" x 1" tubes before fully extending to the floor. Its a Mk4 complete kit utilizing the Wilwood pedal box. There is also a thread on the coupe forum discussing the same issue.
http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?3395-Wilwood-clutch-pedal-vs-frame.....
Your thoughts?
-Fred
Brian Z
09-13-2011, 07:28 AM
The clutch pedal should not hit the frame. However, your engine and transmission should be installed so you can check if the clutch pedal is engaging fully before you cut or re-weld anything.
No frame cutting or welding in my future. I'll send you a few pictures.
-Fred
41584159
Take a look. Please tell me I did something wrong.
-Fred
CDXXVII
09-20-2011, 10:58 PM
Same issue with my Mk4. The Pedal hits the frame when the pad is still about quite a ways from the rear of the footbox. Not sure how far the pedal needs to travel with the cable clutch. I know that this setup will not work with a hydraulic clutch without notching the frame tube. I am planning on sticking with the cable setup and hoping for the best.
I talked with Brian Z at Factory Five last week and he was going to speak with engineering and get back to me. Probably a good idea for me to call him back because as it stands today, its unusable without some modification.
-Fred
cobrajj
09-21-2011, 07:39 AM
Will this also be a problem on my MK 3.1, if I change to the forged clutch pedal? Just wondering if they modified the tubes on the MK 4. Jim
I have the Mark 4 complete with Wilwood box and have no clearance issue. Don't know what the difference is. I'll look mine over next time I'm at the shop.
Dean
I stand corrected! Mine touches but way deep in the stroke. Haven't fired it yet so I don't know for sure but it appears the clutch will fully disengage. May know more this weekend.
Dean
Old style Wilwood pedal box or new one with the adjustable pedals.?
-Fred
Good morning Jason,
What's the plan?
-Fred
knuclebuster
10-03-2011, 11:52 AM
Fred,
Did you ever get an answer on this issue of the pedal hitting the frame? Im having the same problem with my MK4. Let me know.
Todd
Hoov65
10-05-2011, 12:10 AM
Hi All,
I talked with Jason last week regarding the clutch pedal hitting the frame issue and he said they were working to resolve the problem and would hopefully have a solution within the next week or so. Today I called Factory Five on another issue and spoke with Brian, while I had him on the phone I inquired if
they had made any progress on the clutch pedal hitting the frame problem and his response was to trim the clutch pedal to make it work. At this point, I
am not very comfortable trimming the clutch pedal! It has been over three weeks that Factory Five has been aware of this design problem and from the
discussion I had today, I could be wrong, but I did not have a warm and fuzzy feeling that a solution was imminent.
Harold
CDXXVII
10-05-2011, 12:28 AM
I am very surprised to here that the fix is to trim the pedal. On the other forum there has already been a couple of the new style clutch pedal arms breaking above the pivot due to the clutch quadrant attachment method. These pedal arms appear to not be a strong as one might think and I would be very leary about trimming or modifying the pedal arm.
Brian Z
10-05-2011, 07:02 AM
Harold,
I said that is what "I" would do. We are still waiting for an official solution from our engineers. Trimming a little off the forged pedal should still be stronger than using the other style pedal.
You also could just run the pedals. Even if the pedal hits the frame, you should have enough throw to fully engage the clutch.
Best regards,
Brian,
I'm beginning to think you guys haven't looked at this. Leaving it as is, or cutting/notching the frame or pedal is not a viable option.
-Fred
Jason Lavigne
10-05-2011, 08:55 AM
Hi guys,
After discussing with Jesper and Jim in Engineering, I have a couple of options. The primary option, if you have a clutch pedal that is contacting the chassis, is to contact one of the guys here by phone, and through Wilwood we can switch it over to the earlier style pedal. Here are the differences between the two clutch pedal designs:
Earlier Wilwood Clutch Pedal:
- Cast aluminum construction
- Narrower width (clears through full travel of clutch)
- Fixed pedal surface
Current Wilwood Clutch Pedal:
- Forged aluminum construction
- Wider (causing clearance issue far into clutch travel)
- Adjustable, bolt-on pedal surface
If you prefer to keep the existing pedal, I'd suggest creating a stop that the pedal will contact in a perpendicular fashion, to avoid any possibility of binding. The compromise here is that you don't have as much clutch travel, but in our experience, it's unlikely you'd need that much travel anyway.
If you prefer to swap to the earlier style pedal, you will be giving up the benefits of the newer one, but gaining the full travel.
Of course some people have modified the pedal or the chassis to create the conditions they're after, but that's not recommended.
If you need to swap your pedal, or if you have any other questions, just call (508) 291-3443 or email tech@factoryfive.com.
Thanks!
Jason @ FFR
Jason,
Wilwood part numbers for the brake and clutch pedals are 330-3343 and 330-3345. Should I just order them myself?
-Fred
Surprise, surprise, the pedals arrived at my door today.
Thank you.