PSA: Firewall ripped apart by clutch cable!!!

Topic: PSA: Firewall ripped apart by clutch cable!!! (Read 8487 times) previous topic - next topic

PSA: Firewall ripped apart by clutch cable!!!

Reply #15 – January 26, 2012, 08:07:28 PM

So just to clarify; is this is only a concern when running an upgraded clutch and Steeda quick release quadrant?

PSA: Firewall ripped apart by clutch cable!!!

Reply #16 – January 26, 2012, 09:01:02 PM

Quote from: 50tbrd88;378946

So just to clarify; is this is only a concern when running an upgraded clutch and Steeda quick release quadrant?

Yes....and no. If the installation is done correctly and there is no binding at any point, it will work for a long time. If the quadrant is offset, the cable binds or is misaligned and especially if the throw out brg is starting to gall on the stock aluminum input shaft housing (which is a main cause I forgot to mention eariler) then yes it's a concern.

PSA: Firewall ripped apart by clutch cable!!!

Reply #17 – January 26, 2012, 11:25:15 PM

You would have to literally re-design/custom modify the pedal assembly so that the horizontal shaft, basically the whole thing sits lower so that the bigger arc of the Steeda quadrant doesn't make the cable angle upward as it comes through the firewall. I think they're the only one that makes a quadrant like that. I would be careful even with a stiffer pressure plate. Have someone watch the firewall closely as you step on the pedal. If that thing doesn't stay perfectly motionless...I'd say it's only a matter of time before it rips along that pinch seam. Or from the hole outward, as that guy's photo shows. The firewall seems pretty solid, I thought it was, but I guess it's a lesson in the force that's involved moving a clutch.

PSA: Firewall ripped apart by clutch cable!!!

Reply #18 – January 27, 2012, 10:04:01 AM

I have the steeda double hook quadrant, stock style clutch, and steeda adjustable clutch cable. I'm going to lose sleep worrying that my firewall will be destroyed now. Thanks guys, lol.

PSA: Firewall ripped apart by clutch cable!!!

Reply #19 – January 27, 2012, 11:36:56 AM

My silver car was built like it is almost ten years ago. He put about 20k on it. So bear that in mind, you still have time on your side :D

PSA: Firewall ripped apart by clutch cable!!!

Reply #20 – January 27, 2012, 12:16:15 PM

No more than I drive my car, it will be a long time before I have issues!

PSA: Firewall ripped apart by clutch cable!!!

Reply #21 – January 27, 2012, 01:21:55 PM

Quote from: 50tbrd88;378996

I have the steeda double hook quadrant, stock style clutch, and steeda adjustable clutch cable. I'm going to lose sleep worrying that my firewall will be destroyed now. Thanks guys, lol.

No need to worry with your set up, that cable will expire before your firewall will.

PSA: Firewall ripped apart by clutch cable!!!

Reply #22 – January 27, 2012, 03:33:19 PM

You are probably right...

PSA: Firewall ripped apart by clutch cable!!!

Reply #23 – February 21, 2012, 11:30:43 PM

My cougar did the same thing, it started to crack and would not fully disengage the clutch. I got together a 87 turbo coupe clutch master with the plastic line, a slave cylinder from a 1972 datsun pickup, fab'd up a bracket to bolt the slave to the side of the T-5 and a JIC to clutch master fitting, and now it's hydraulic. want to buy a setup?

PSA: Firewall ripped apart by clutch cable!!!

Reply #24 – February 22, 2012, 07:48:45 AM

Turbo coupe master?

Shows my lack of knowledge of TC's:rollin: Had no idea those were hydraulic. Wow. My friend's dad said that on his immediate reaction. I could definitely make up bracketry and linkage, etc. I found a couple old datsun slaves on ebay, and a repop TC master is clearly readily available as well. Do you have "spare sets" of this setup already made?

PSA: Firewall ripped apart by clutch cable!!!

Reply #25 – February 22, 2012, 04:36:41 PM

there's some thing's you need to scout out or make, If you have the plastic line to the master, you can cut the line off of it and tig a -4 JIC to the metal fitting (what I did) or you can purchase a fitting from russel (part number 641001). I made the -4 to -4 JIC hose like 8 or 10" long cause I have access to fittings and a machine, but you could use field service fittings. the slave is a 30620B5000T from a 72-73 nissan / datsun 620 Pick Up 1.6L Carb Engine From 3 of 1972, it matches the displacement of the TC Master perfectly. as for the bracketry, it's tricky, a few obstacles and a few angles need to be dead on. if you have a bandsaw, plasma cutter, or if youre decent with oxy/fuel you could probably make one pretty easy. I included a few pics. I also included a pic of the russel fitting you you would have an idea of how to make one if you decided to. The pedal box also needs to come from a TC unless you feel up to tackeling that hurdle, on a cable pedal box the shaft goes toward the center of the car, and on the TC / hydraulic setup it comes out closer to the left side of the box, im sure it's possible, but it was easier and cheaper for me to use a TC box.

PSA: Firewall ripped apart by clutch cable!!!

Reply #26 – October 21, 2012, 02:02:03 PM

Hi - I had to revive an old thread. I was having some issues with my adjuster and just noticed that I have the same problem - my firewall is ripped all around the adjuster. Do you have any pics of the fix you did for this? I need to take it to a shop to have it welded and I am trying to figure out the best way to strenghten it without having to pull the dash. It doesn't have to look pretty - it just has to work.

PSA: Firewall ripped apart by clutch cable!!!

Reply #27 – October 21, 2012, 05:11:34 PM

It looks like you TC'd your car out quite a bit already, why not build the bracket to put a hydraulic slave on your T5? From there you just use the pedals and master out of a TC.

PSA: Firewall ripped apart by clutch cable!!!

Reply #28 – October 21, 2012, 05:12:48 PM

BTW, I used to use the datsun slave, but have since switched over to a slave from a 2004 Miata, works better IMHO.

PSA: Firewall ripped apart by clutch cable!!!

Reply #29 – October 21, 2012, 08:38:10 PM

The Mustang set up worked pretty good for years. I really don't want to get into swapping out clutch pedals again. I would still have to find all the parts. I guess as I get older, projects don't intrigue me as much anymore. I just want to get it welded back together hopefully, with a few extra pieces of metal to make it stronger. I was hoping someone had done this repair already so I could get an idea of what it takes to weld some extra metal in there.