Replacement Clutch Cable

[Kpt112]

Hello All,

I recently snapped the clutch cable that came with my FFR back in 2015. I replaced the cable from Summit with a genuine Ford Cable, "Ford Performance Parts M-7553-C302". The cable installed okay but I am unsure as far as adjustments goes.i placed the cable in and got it just tight so the cable would not fall off the quadrant in the pedal box. Then I tightened the cable up with the adjustment nut on the clutch fork. Basically making sure the cable is not engaged when the pedal is in the up position. The new cable feels really stiff and I just want to make sure I do not mis-adjust and burn my clutch up. I did drive the car up to the end of my driveway, then i decided to ask before I take it out on the open road. Does what I did sound right? Any insight is appreciated.


Thanks
Kevin

[RoadRacer]

Pics? Do you have an adjuster fitted? This sort of thing..

149048

[Kpt112]

Pics? Do you have an adjuster fitted? This sort of thing..

149048

The only adjustment I have is on the long bolt that goes into the clutch fork.

[AC Bill]

What pedal box does the car have. Is it using the donor box & pedals, and the original OEM cable self-adjuster?

[michael everson]

Make sure both nuts are on the back side of the clutch fork. I tighten it enough that the fork does not move back. The stock quadrant always put a small amount of tension on it.

Mike

[skullandbones]

I have a Mklll but installed the Forte quadrant with Willwood MCs. So the location of cable and geometry are similar to yours although my setup is a little stiffer than other cobras I have driven. Anyway, I suggest strongly that you invest in a cable adjuster like RoadRacer showed you in his post. When I added that adjuster, it allowed me to adjust the clutch "on the fly" like when getting gas or pulled over to the side of the road. Don't even have to do it visually. Just reach under the fender and turn. It is very sensitive so just a 1/4 turn usually does it. I can tell when it is time to adjust as the shifting becomes just slightly more difficult (so you can tell the clutch is rubbing a little on the flywheel/PP). I would rather do it that way than over adjust and have clutch fork ridding with pressure on the throw out bearing. That is not good. When you have mechanical linkage, the issue is usually easier to sort out. But with that stretchy cable, it is more on the subtle side. However, once you get the feel for it, if you have the micro adjuster, you should never get too far out of adjustment again. I'm all for quick and easy and this is one of the best add ons I have done. Good luck.

WEK

[AC Bill]

In my opinion, the best clutch cable produced was the original OEM one, that 87-93 Mustangs came with. The material it was made of was superior, Multi layer outer housing, with Teflon lined inner, tightly braided cable, just overall better quality then the aftermarket cables. It seems to work smoothly, and with lighter pressure.They rarely broke, unless it was rubbing against the inner firewall. It depended completely on the self-adjuster on the factory pedal box, so you had to add a firewall adjuster if you used an aftermarket quadrant.

The adjustable one Ford Performance sells, is not it. The original did not have a threaded, adjuster at the clutch fork end. That adjustable type is typical of the aftermarket, universal clutch cables. I'm not even sure if you can buy the old school cables anymore, which would suck, as that's what I would use again.

https://www.maximummotorsports.com/tech_drivetrn_clutch_clutch_cable.aspx

[rich grsc]

In my opinion, the best clutch cable produced was the original OEM one, that 87-93 Mustangs came with. The material it was made of was superior, Multi layer outer housing, with Teflon lined inner, tightly braided cable, just overall better quality then the aftermarket cables. It seems to work smoothly, and with lighter pressure.They rarely broke, unless it was rubbing against the inner firewall. It depended completely on the self-adjuster on the factory pedal box, so you had to add a firewall adjuster if you used an aftermarket quadrant.

The adjustable one Ford Performance sells, is not it. The original did not have a threaded, adjuster at the clutch fork end. That adjustable type is typical of the aftermarket, universal clutch cables. I'm not even sure if you can buy the old school cables anymore, which would suck, as that's what I would use again.

https://www.maximummotorsports.com/tech_drivetrn_clutch_clutch_cable.aspx
Both are made by Ford, both the same quality in my opinion. Last time I looked Summit had both

[Kpt112]

Thanks for the great advise. I took the car for a longer drive tonight and it feels good and i did not smell a burning clutch which is a good thing.

This is the spacer that is currently on the car.


149066

All the adjustment is on the clutch fork like i mentioned. The picture in the manual only has the cable which is not adjustable.

149067

My last cable lasted 5 years so i use I can't complain. If the new cable lasts another 5 years I think i am good.


I have the Factory Five space in the firewall so I am not sure the spacer mentioned above would work with what the setup I have.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=149048&d=1499625060

[michael everson]

If you have the cantilevered clutch quadrant yon your wildwood pedal box, it might be the problem. The ones that a bolted directly to the pedal work much better. I have seen some really bad damage to the pedal box with the cantilevered design
Mike