'57 clutch spring attachment? - NCRS Discussion Boards

'57 clutch spring attachment?

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  • Timothy I.
    Infrequent User
    • August 31, 1984
    • 26

    '57 clutch spring attachment?

    OK, here's what is probably a really stupid question:

    The attachment of the clutch pedal return spring on the cross shaft in my recently-restored '57 looks wrong to me, and to the judges at our recent chapter meet. Unfortunately, there wasn't another '57 there with a manual transmission to compare it to, so I'm not exactly sure how the clip is supposed to fit in the bracket. The drawings in the shop manual don't show this in detail. I'll attach a picture of my set up. I would greatly appreciate it if someone could post a clear picture of how it's supposed to be.

    Thanks in advance!


    Tim
    Attached Files
  • David S.
    Very Frequent User
    • December 1, 1982
    • 310

    #2
    Re: '57 clutch spring attachment?

    DSC04177.jpgA.jpgDSC04182.jpgA.jpgDSC04183.jpgA.jpgDSC04195.jpgA.jpgTim check out the attached pictures they may help
    Dave

    Comment

    • Timothy I.
      Infrequent User
      • August 31, 1984
      • 26

      #3
      Re: '57 clutch spring attachment?

      Thank you Dave, that is exactly what I needed! It looks like my setup is basically right, but the clip just wasn't pushed all the way home.

      Thanks again. I really appreciate your help!

      Tim

      Comment

      • David S.
        Very Frequent User
        • December 1, 1982
        • 310

        #4
        Re: '57 clutch spring attachment?

        That's good Tim. Make note of my spring is going over the top of the pin unlike yours. This may not make much difference
        Dave

        Comment

        • Richard M.
          Super Moderator
          • August 31, 1988
          • 11302

          #5
          Re: '57 clutch spring attachment?

          The clothespin clip design is horrible. This was changed to a more robust design few years later.

          In order to correct that clip position, you'll have to remove the spring. However, the clip may just pull back again when reassembled. To correct this problem, I have found that a tack weld of the clip to the bar is what's needed. It can also be done on the lower inner area to hide it's appearance, but the top of the clip is prone to move so I typically tack weld it on the top. Minor deduct but a better holding repair.
          P6100046.jpgP6100051.jpgP6100047.jpgP6100048.jpgP6100052.jpg

          I also see another flaw that is not only a deduct, but a mechanical problem. Your pivot bushing is coming apart, actually on both pictured above. Tim, you can see yours is in pieces. The rubber is torn. Dave, yours appears badly worn. These bushings fail soon, and there are new poly bushings and also some folks have devised solid bushings.

          In order to replace the bushings, the entire clutch cross shaft assembly will need to be removed. Then the old bushing needs to be pressed out and a new one installed. This can be done using a pair of sockets in a vice or a hydraulic press.

          To remove and install the antiquated spring hardware, use a Crescent adjustable wrench.

          -Remove the cotter pin from the clevis at the clutch cross shaft to fork rod. Remove the clevis from the cross shaft arm. The pedal rod to pivot bolt will keep the cross shaft in position.

          -Attach the wrench to the top of the pivot bar. Make sure your wrench will swing free of the firewall with a 'practice swing' (unconnected).

          -While holding the wrench steady on the top bar, remove the pivot bolt attached to the pedal rod. The wrench is now holding the spring tension. Use caution.

          -Slowly release the tension of the spring rearward. Unhook the spring from it's upper clip. You can leave it attached to the lower clip.

          -Once the spring is released, you can take the cross shaft mechanism apart for repair. You will have to remove the 2 engine bracket bolts to free it from the frame pivot ball. With the cross shaft on the bench you could tack weld the upper clip to the bar lever.

          -Reassembly and spring installation is the reverse of the removal operation. It is sometimes necessary to loosen the 2 top bar pivot bolts to allow more swing to remove/install the spring. Scribe a line or place a piece of tape at the joint on the backside of the pivot bar to the cross shaft arm for reassembly.

          Note that I have found that reproduction clips are not as strong as original clips and don't stay put very well, which is why a tack weld seems needed to hold them in place.

          Rich

          Comment

          • Timothy I.
            Infrequent User
            • August 31, 1984
            • 26

            #6
            Re: '57 clutch spring attachment?

            Rich,

            Thanks for the additional insight. It looks like my task is larger than I had hoped! Odd that those bushings fail so quickly. My car only has about 700 miles on it since restoration.

            Tim

            Comment

            • David S.
              Very Frequent User
              • December 1, 1982
              • 310

              #7
              Re: '57 clutch spring attachment?

              Tim has something to do with the quality of the reproduction parts we have to deal with today. Pictures I show are of parts 57 years old an 60,000 miles.
              Dave

              Comment

              • Richard M.
                Super Moderator
                • August 31, 1988
                • 11302

                #8
                Re: '57 clutch spring attachment?

                Yes I agree, many reproduction parts today have marginal quality and do not last.

                However, in Tim's case it's possible the restorer didn't replace the bushing as it may have "looked good" at the time. Less than 700 miles later it failed. Rubber parts deteriorate with time and it may be that it just fell apart soon after other parts were restored or replaced. The one on Tim's car looks quite old to me.

                Rich

                Comment

                • Dan D.
                  Extremely Frequent Poster
                  • November 5, 2008
                  • 1323

                  #9
                  Re: '57 clutch spring attachment?

                  This problem, specific to repro bushings, was discussed a few years ago on CF. Apparently the repro rubber is not as hard as the original rubber was, and they would fail within a few hundred miles. Don't know if our supply houses fixed this or not. But on CF, not particularly interested in originality, told how they fixed the problem - brass bushings and all.

                  -Dan-

                  Comment

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