Clutch pedal play.

[Bob Booth #33372]

Hello again,

On my '72, the clutch pedal works fine except that when you release it and it comes to where the top of the travel should be, I can just keep pulling it up until it almost touches the dash. If I release it easy, it comes to a natural rest at about 1" higher than the brake pedal. Beside the fact that it looks bad, it's really annoying as sometimes when I go for the clutch, my foot hits the side of the pedal and I have to lift my leg way up to get my foot on it. It seems that there should be some kind of stop for it but I can't see where. When I had the car all apart I looked at every square inch of the pedal/linkage mechanism and could see no way of fixing this short of rigging some kind of stop on the linkage near the clutch fork on the transmission. I know there has got to be a reasonable solution to this but it escapes me. Is there a piece missing off the linkage/pedal assy. that I don't know about? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks, Bob Booth

[Wayne M.]

Re: Clutch pedal play.

Bob --- If the '72 clutch linkage set-up is anything like the mid-years, yes, there is a square rubber bumper pushed into a hole in the large bracket that mounts the clutch/brake/steering column apparata.

Also (if like mid-years) you have 2 adjusting position choices for the clutch pedal; low (short [quick] action/more leg force required) and high (relative to brake pedal). They come from the factory set at the high position. Shop manual should show how to convert to low. I remember taking delivery of my new '72, after trading in a '65 with quick clutch pedal setting and short throw shifter. I got used to the high clutch (relative to the low power brake pedal) but had to convert the shifter setting within a week.

[Jim R.]

Re: Clutch pedal play.

Bob:

I have the same problem with my '69 clutch pedal resting about 1" above the brake pedal. With my 6'4" size and size 13 shoes, I have a heck of a time working the clutch. I have never experienced the pedal coming up any higher however.

In my '69 Assembly manual, page J221, it shows that the clutch pedal height above the floorboard should be 7.00" (+ or - 0.25")and the free play should be 1.5" (+ or - 0.25").

I had a mechanic adjust the clutch to catch a little quicker and lower the pedal. I soon found out that this was not a good idea because unless you are standing on the pedal -i.e. have it fully against the floorboard, you'll grind the gears. The Assembly Manual shows the adjustment for this on the ckutch lever and shaft assembly and I reset it.

Good luck.......Jim

[Bill Braun]

Re: Clutch pedal play.

My '67 has the same. The clutch pedal rides not quite an inch above the brake pedal. During my test drive, I also had problems clutching (long legs and big feet seem to be a common affliction these days), until I realised the tele wheel would allow me to drive the car safely with the stock steering wheel. I toyed with the idea of resetting the pedal height, but I think I'll let it go.

Bill Braun 33186

[Bob Booth #33372]

Re: Clutch pedal play.

Thanks for the info guys,

Wayne, I'm not sure if the assembly is the same as yours but I'll check it out. Also, I dont recall seeing adjustment settings for high or low but I will look for this too. If they're not there, I'll have to come up with another solution. Do you think the AIM would have this info?

Regards,

Bob Booth

[Wayne M.]

Re: Clutch pedal play.

Bob --- Looks like I was mistaken about the adjustability of '68 up clutch linkages to a "low-pedal / fast release" setting. This feature started in '59 (?) and continued to '66 for sure. I don't think '67s had it as the bracket on the clutch pedal was welded on, and not adjustable to two positions ('67 afficionados please correct if I err). The AIM should show the details, but looking at the Corvette parts supply cataloges, I don't think adjustment is possible, due to lack of 2-position bracket. However, there is a pedal return bumper/stop, and the clutch return spring, from bellcrank to firewall, should be strong enough to ensure the pedal returns to the rubber bumper, automatically. To get a lower pedal, you might be able to play around with a thicker bumper, but be careful to maintain enough free travel, so that you are not engaging the throw-out bearing (effectively "riding" the clutch). You might have to adjust the push rod clevis so the clutch begins to engage closer to the floor. This is a VERY sensitive adjustment. Just turning 2 "flats" on the clevis lock nuts can make a difference. Good luck.

[Tom B.]

Re: Clutch pedal play.

Wayne,

I think you have some valid information, but it quite possibly will not all apply to the 68-on-up situation.

Since I had recently messed around with the pedal assembly in my 67 I took another look at what you had mentioned. There is a two hole "setting adjustment" for the clutch pedal pushrod near the top of the 67 clutch pedal, but as you mentioned (and when compared to my 68 pedal assembly) there is a difference. The two-hole setting adjustment does not appear and the single attachment for the push rod is welded in place. The near-identical pedal return bumper / stop is present on each. The 67 bumper / stop appears to be very slightly thicker, maybe by 1/8" or 1/4". TBarr #24014

[Bob Booth #33372]

Re: Clutch pedal play.

Hello again,

I crawled under the dash to look for the rubber bumper and there is one behind all those wires and hoses but it's comletely shot. I guess I know what my next move is.

The pedal doesn't have as much upward play as I remember. It has about a total of two inches 'till it hits the metal bracket where the rubber is that the pedals connect to. Still way too much.

Anyway, thanks for the help getting to the bottom of this.

Regards,

Bob Booth