OEM Clutch Cable w/ Coyote and TKO600

[Traveller]

I am just not happy with how the clutch cable is on my Mk4 and I'm pretty sure I bought the wrong one.

Based on recommendations I've read here, I ordered the Ford OEM clutch cable to replace the FFR supplied on. The part number I ordered was "M-7553-C302" and I find the cable to be too long even with it adjusted at the clutch fork end all the way. I even added a firewall adjuster which takes out another 1.25" or so inches, and now it is OK but still adjusted all the way at the fork leaving NO room for future adjustment.

More reading on the forum tells me that I should have ordered part number "M-7553-E302" instead. Can someone please confirm that the E302 cable is in fact a few inches shorter than the C302? I cant find any online specs that say the actual length (even on the ford parts website).

By the way, the FFR supplied cable fits better but does make the clutch pedal harder to push.

Thanks!
Jason

[BradCraig]

I used the C302 and it was long, so did the following and it works great. I did not use a firewall adjuster $$$. The FF cable is HORRIBLE!..

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?36479-Ford-Performance-clutch-cable-spacer

Curious if that E302 is better though.

[egchewy79]

call mike forte. 2 cables for something around $50. keep the spare on your shelf or in your trunk.

[BEAR-AvHistory]

Thanks for sharing - had the same problem with the cable & TKO-600

[BradCraig]

call mike forte. 2 cables for something around $50. keep the spare on your shelf or in your trunk.

I'm pretty sure Mikes is the same Ford cable, I may be wrong.

[Al_C]

call mike forte. 2 cables for something around $50. keep the spare on your shelf or in your trunk.

I'm sorry that the FFR supplied cable is not working for you. I'm using it (the FFR cable) and it works fine. Doesn't seem that heavy. Nevertheless, I think egchewy's suggestion is a good alternative!

[Traveller]

I used the C302 and it was long, so did the following and it works great. I did not use a firewall adjuster $$$. The FF cable is HORRIBLE!..

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?36479-Ford-Performance-clutch-cable-spacer

Curious if that E302 is better though.

Clever solution - thanks!

[Traveller]

call mike forte. 2 cables for something around $50. keep the spare on your shelf or in your trunk.

I'm pretty sure Mikes is the same Ford cable, I may be wrong.
Thank you both. Having a spare is probably a good idea.


I'm sorry that the FFR supplied cable is not working for you. I'm using it (the FFR cable) and it works fine. Doesn't seem that heavy. Nevertheless, I think egchewy's suggestion is a good alternative!
Thanks. The FFR supplied cable does work, but there is a noticeable difference with the Ford part and I prefer the feel of that one.


I wasn't able to call Ford Performance Parts tech line during business hours today, but will do so tomorrow to try to find out the length difference between the C302 and E302 (if only for future reference).

Thanks all.

[GTBradley]

I had a terrible time with the FFR supplied cable until I removed and oiled it, then it was fine...until it snapped. To be fair, it was probably my fault as I put a nut on the engine side of the threaded shaft which prevented it from pivoting. I bought Mike Forte’s cables and it works perfectly and is thicker. It also fit just fine with his supplied firewall adjuster.

[BB767]

142867

Do not trust the cable from FFR. This is what happened after 300 miles, leaving me stranded, and causing my first, and only "ride of shame" on the back of a flatbed.

[Traveller]

142867

Do not trust the cable from FFR. This is what happened after 300 miles, leaving me stranded, and causing my first, and only "ride of shame" on the back of a flatbed.

Ouch. Yes I will be going with the Ford cable (either the C302 I have with a spacer or the E302 if it is in fact shorter) as yours isn't the first time I've heard of the FFR cables breaking. Just by looking at both cables you can see an obvious difference in quality. I'm sure the FFR cable can work just fine, but this seems like a cheap upgrade / insurance to me.

[Papa]

3000+ miles so far with the FFR cable and not a hint of an issue. I did add a Steeda firewall adjuster, but have not touched it since it was installed.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=84596&d=1524422938

At the end of my first driving season last fall, I checked the cable at the clutch fork and no signs of wear or damage.

[Traveller]

To close the loop - I did talk to Ford Performance tech support today and they did not have length information available. They did say that he was "90% sure" that the C302 cable is the shorter of the two.

[CraigS]

For others reading this I will add my recommendation for a FORD cable. Probably 12 yrs ago I talked to Mark at Breeze because he offered two cables. I asked which he thought was better. He said he prefers one over the other because he discovered it is manufactured in a country that is a democracy. So I got it and it took maybe 9 years to die and all those years I thought it worked fine. But by then I had heard about the Ford cables Forte sells so ordered and installed one. The difference was immediate. I would say it reduced pedal effort by 25%. The spare cable was carried in the trunk.

[BradCraig]

For others reading this I will add my recommendation for a FORD cable. Probably 12 yrs ago I talked to Mark at Breeze because he offered two cables. I asked which he thought was better. He said he prefers one over the other because he discovered it is manufactured in a country that is a democracy. So I got it and it took maybe 9 years to die and all those years I thought it worked fine. But by then I had heard about the Ford cables Forte sells so ordered and installed one. The difference was immediate. I would say it reduced pedal effort by 25%. The spare cable was carried in the trunk.

Right, you think your FF cable is OK until you try the ford cable. At least 25% less pedal effort and MUCH smoother.

[JETAV8R]

I too started with the FF supplied cable, but just didn't like the feel of it. I switched to the Ford cable and it is night and day. So much smoother and less friction.

[Papa]

I guess I'm an outlier, but the FFR cable feels smooth to me and I've had another FFR owner compare it to what they had and they commented that mine was much different. So, for now I'll stick with it. If it fails, I'll call Forte.

[jmsrx]

Reviving this thread because of my clutch cable issues. My FFR cable snapped at the pedal fork after about 2000 miles. I would hope that it was installed correctly since it was on the 2018 FFR SEMA coupe. I ordered another cable from FFR and greased this one pretty well prior to install. The pedal effort was significantly reduced and it worked well until the moment it snapped this morning at the pedal fork again. 3500 miles on this cable. No sign of increased pedal effort prior to the sudden break. At least it happened in my driveway this time. Last time required a flatbed ride. I called Mike Forte today and he said he can set me up if I give him a call back Monday. Hoping the cable on his part is much stronger than the one from FFR.