clutch problems

[cb84capri]

my friends 85 capri 5.0/5spd is having some clutch issues. it doesn't want to disengage the clutch. the pedal felt as if there was no cable tension on it. we thought it was the factory quadrant, so we replaced it with the entire steeda adjustable cable and firewall adjuster setup. well that wasn't the problem. the problem is actually at the clutch fork.

the clutch fork came off its ball pivot somehow, or so i think. i was able to pop it back on, but as soon as you try to put tension on it to disengage the clutch it pops off again. is it the clutch fork? could it be the bell housing pivot? anything common you guys have seen? this is all strange to me, i've never had an issue with my capri doing anything like this, an he's using a factory clutch. any help is appreciated!

also, is the clutch smaller in the 85, as opposed to the setup in my car from a 90 stang? any differences in the forks?

thanks
cale

[cb84capri]

we dropped the transmission today, and the clutch fork is actually broken at the ball end. it cracked and bent the fork. does anyone know specifics on this clutch fork? is it different then those found in later foxes? it looked very thin in comparison to the one in my capri. any info is greatly appreciated.

also, while we're in there, we are going to replace the bearing retainer, throwout bearing, transmission mount. any other suggestions? and this transmission has gear oil in it. is this ok? i was under the impression that t5's took atf.

thanks,
cale

[v8only]

if it's a t5, you need to put atf in it, or that gear oil is gonna destroy it.

indeed 85's had smaller clutches than the 86+ cars. Only thing you need to upgrade is the 86+ flywheel, the 86+ clutch, and the 86+ pressure plate bolts, that's it.

as well, I do believe the 86+ cars had a heavier duty clutch fork.

while you're in there, replace the rear main seal and pilot bearing.

also, be sure to get a good bearing retainer. I'm using now on my t5's an all iron bearing retainer. Unlike the 2 piece steal units that can seperate, it's one piece, all of it, and it's stronger than steel. If you do go with steal, buy the ford one, or a good aftermarket one as they have tendencies to seperate and destroy your input shaft and sometimes the trans too.

[82mustang]

and it's stronger than steel.

Cast steel is still steel...and i believe all steel was cast/molten at some point, what makes it so strong?

[v8only]

**** if I know. I asked the shop I buy them from, which is a LARGE manual trans shop that sell AND rebuild trannies AND parts for much of OC. It was his opinion that they were better all around, including strength.

In the end, I think strength is negligeable. It's the one piece design that sold me.

[82mustang]

yeah thats true, we all know steel is stronger than aluminum and 1 piece wont separate like is possible with a 2 piece design, depending on the fit and stress on the part. I was just giving you a hard time :P
EDIT: i need(well, as a spare) some T5 parts, a whole V8 mainshaft loaded with gears, V8 input shaft and main countershaft..got any of those? i can handle a box of parts also, it doesn't have to be assembled as long as all the parts are there

[v8only]

I've picked up several trannies last week to rebuild, and they ALL have either exploded gears, or cluster shafts or both :( I may use them to upgrade to the super high alloy package. For that reason, my parts are in short demand.

I do have, a contact locally who just called, and says he'll sell me up to 10 t5's at $100 a piece. I'm not sure if I'm gonna do it or not. If you wanted, I could contact him, and maybe send you one.

[cb84capri]

what is the best way to get the gear oil out? is just draining it and refilling it with atf sufficient? his lower tranny drain plug is not coming out for us. is varsol good? we will be putting mobil 1 atf in it.

2.78L the correct amount of fluid?

thanks again you guys

cale

[v8only]

that lower drain plug has got to come out, or you're gonna have to yank the trans. It takes just under 3 quarts

[cb84capri]

ummmm the transmission is out of the car. any ideas?


cale

[anthonydalrymple]

Yes. You can balance the trans very well on 2 jack stands, thus giving you the room beneath to put a drip pan. Please do loosen both the "check \ fill" and "drain" plugs before putting the trans on the stands IMHO.....