Clutch pedal/bushing swap - thanks Nick!

[m3f_drtwofish]

Hey all,

Haven't posted in a while - been a crazy summer with work and kids - but I finally got a few hours to do my clutch pedal and bushings (UUC) this weekend. I want to give a big thanks to Nick/fiveeightandten for his video

video












- I played it on my phone while I was under the dash, and it all made so much more sense than the previous dozen times I'd watched it.


The whole thing took me about 2.5 hours, including seat removal (deep-cleaning opportunity!) with the big hangup being uncertainty about how to reconstruct the spring since it all came flying apart when I removed the master cylinder circlip. The retrospectively obvious part that really got me was that I didn't realize the two half-moon shaped spring perch rods, for lack of a better term, fit *together* instead of end-to-end. I spent way too much time trying to get that damn spring to fit with them stacked on-end against each other instead of nicely nested. I even tried the zip-tie method, which Nick is totally right about - not only was it unnecessary, it was counterproductive since I couldn't seat those perch rods with the zip ties in. After that it was a piece of cake, more or less. I could probably do it in an hour now.


Bottom line: the clutch feels incredibly better now. It wasn't bad before, exactly, but there was an annoying "click" and the occasional squeak and vagueness. FWIW I used both shims that came with the kit and I'm glad I did. It's tight as a button now. Now, on to the trunk wiring harness!


Before/After

http://i.imgur.com/AdUwE4Ch.jpg


Edit - I have no idea why pic links don't work for me lately, so I just shortened to the link.

[m3f_M_Parallel]

Nice. My pedal is also like your before. I have new upgraded bushings waiting, but I need a new pedal as well, as I presume the pedal bushing hole is worn out as well.


It must be hard to have that stupid piece of metal there, which seems to be a US thing, limiting the already limited space.


I hate working in the footwell at 6'4''. Guarenteed backaches the next couple of days after.

[m3f_drtwofish]

Nice. My pedal is also like your before. I have new upgraded bushings waiting, but I need a new pedal as well, as I presume the pedal bushing hole is worn out as well.



It must be hard to have that stupid piece of metal there, which seems to be a US thing, limiting the already limited space.



I hate working in the footwell at 6'4''. Guarenteed backaches the next couple of days after.

Do you mean the knee bolster thing in the pic? It's only 3 bolts to remove, but it's not really in the way for this job. Definitely get a new pedal, and lube the crap out of everything (I used shin-etsu white grease since I had it sitting around, but the UUC guys say pretty much anything should work). It's not a bad job once you get the hang of it, but it's so convoluted up in there it's hard to explain/video.



My back/neck is definitely feeling it today, and I'm only 5'9"

[m3f_M_Parallel]

You're not talking about the plastic cover? I know that has 3 screws to remove.


I mean the metal piece on the dashframe/support visible in your pic. Unless you mean that piece a as well. I thought that was welded to the dash support.

[m3f_drtwofish]

I'm not 100% sure what you mean, but the big ugly tan thing is made of some sort of pressed fiberboard stuff and is easily removable. There may be a metal bracket under there I'm not remembering, but it's not in the way.

[m3f_pbonsalb]

The metal section behind the plastic is just 3 bolts and makes it easier to see what you are doing. No need to remove the seat.

[m3f_drtwofish]

The metal section behind the plastic is just 3 bolts and makes it easier to see what you are doing. No need to remove the seat.

Maybe for your young bones, but I was happy to have it out of the way and just lay on my back, protruding seat studs notwithstanding. Plus it gave me a chance to clean out accumulated detritus from previous owners (not like *I* ever eat in my car! )

[m3f_pbonsalb]

I am 51.

[m3f_M_Parallel]

The metal section behind the plastic is just 3 bolts and makes it easier to see what you are doing. No need to remove the seat.

Ok.



Maybe the similar piece behind the glovebox is part of the dash support?

[m3f_Slagdemon]

I did this a couple weeks ago and am going to replace the pedal with a new one. The old one is way out of whack and doesn't look right due to how far left it leans.

[m3f_drtwofish]

I am 51.

Whippersnapper - I'm 73! (or do I have that backwards...)



Actually, my dad wants this done in his car, so I may try it again with the seat installed now that I know what I'm doing.

[m3f_drtwofish]

I did this a couple weeks ago and am going to replace the pedal with a new one. The old one is way out of whack and doesn't look right due to how far left it leans.

I have heard that some pedals are just that way, but it seems that in most cases if the bushings are shot, so's the pedal arm itself.

[m3f_fiveightandten]

Glad the video helped. I had forgotten all about it. Haha.


You coupe guys can definitely benefit from removing the seat. But for us sedan owners, it's more trouble than it's worth, IMO. The smaller door opening makes seat removal a chore.

[m3f_Evtron]

Glad the video helped. I had forgotten all about it. Haha.



You coupe guys can definitely benefit from removing the seat. But for us sedan owners, it's more trouble than it's worth, IMO. The smaller door opening makes seat removal a chore.

Agreed. After removing the seats once before, I decided to just deal with it when I tackled this. Next time will be a piece o' cake.

[m3f_drtwofish]

Huh. I didn't think the seat removal was that bad, though I'm kicking myself I didn't put a towel over the steering wheel - gave myself a little gouge on the leather. But after unbolting I just angled the seat base through the door and out it came. I'll probably try with seats in next time though.