WARNING: Think twice about getting a new stock clutch

sgwinn · 11-11-2003, 12:29 PM

I had been thinking about a new clutch for weeks. However, I was forced into making a quick change and decided to go with the stock clutch replacement for my 90 LX 5.0. (I am completely stock) Dealer installed it for me and said it should be just like the original. Well, it STINKS. The pedal pressure is whimpy as heck and the engagement point now is about a foot from the floor and previously it was a few inches from the floor. Needless to say, I'm going back to fight them. At least about the adjustment for the engagement point. Feels like i'm driving a four cylinder clutch. I may fight for me buying the King Cobra and them installing it free.

QuantumMotorsports · 11-11-2003, 12:45 PM

The adjustment is not a big deal man. And why do you want the pedal to be harder to push? Seriously man, that's like complaining about your food tasting good. If the clutch holds and doesn't slip or chatter, quit griping. Get it adjusted and drive it. The engagement point should be halfway between the pedal being completely extended and completely to the floor. If the pedal is adjusted to that point, it should hold well and the pedal feel should be fine. Trust me, you could have much worse problems. Maybe part of your problem is that you trusted a dealership to do work on your car. Learn to do it yourself. Only way to get something done right is to do it yourself.

Dark_5.0 · 11-11-2003, 02:06 PM

Good advice

Anyways anytime a stock part breaks I always upgrade.

Sounds like it just need adjusted.

11-11-2003, 03:11 PM

Simply pull upwards on your clutch with your hand. If your stock rachet mechanism is working properly, it should adjust your clucth to the correct position.

BLACK85GT · 11-11-2003, 08:25 PM

The kink cobra clutch has even lighter pedal pressure than the stock one. I think by 10%.

tmoss · 11-12-2003, 08:44 AM

It may feel wimpy becasue it's not getting engage completely, if it takes that far out to engage. Do the adjustment "pull" and see if that helps. Personally, I'd put an aluminum quadrant and fire wall adjuster in there - the set is only like $60.

QuantumMotorsports · 11-12-2003, 04:16 PM

If it is engaging that high, the adjustment on the stock quadrant won't work. Probably, the dealer adjusted it too tight. If it is engaging far away from the floor it is too tight or the cable has been adjusted too short. If it engages near the floor, it is too loose or too long. If it is too long, the ratchet will work, for the other condition, you must reach under the dash and reset the rachet mechanism. It's kind of tough to explain how. Since you took it to the dealer in the first place, i'd go and tell them to readjust it, and make sure you get in the car after they are done and make sure it is in the right place. Like I said, it should be in the middle of the travel.

VeNuM · 11-12-2003, 05:40 PM

Just a little note, the King Cobra clutch in the 95 is harder to push in then the stock on in the 89. Could this be because it's a 80k clutch and the springs are gone? I don't know, just a little something to think about.

88workcar · 11-13-2003, 09:49 PM

my last "STOCK" clutch lasted 2 days. I spilt the disc in half. A good clutch is worth every penny.

sgwinn · 11-14-2003, 12:28 PM

thanks for the tips guys. I've called the dealer and told him I will bring the car for him to test drive. I'll try the other fixes before i go in. I actually looked at the original 1990 stock disk when it was out and it looked worn, but not terrible. It's all the pressure plate in these new ones that is so wimpy. If I start building up the motor (it's completely stock now) will the extra HP require a stronger pressure plate? One way or the other, I'm getting a different one. thanks again for the tips.

11-11-2003, 12:29 PM	#1
sgwinn Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 84	WARNING: Think twice about getting a new stock clutch I had been thinking about a new clutch for weeks. However, I was forced into making a quick change and decided to go with the stock clutch replacement for my 90 LX 5.0. (I am completely stock) Dealer installed it for me and said it should be just like the original. Well, it STINKS. The pedal pressure is whimpy as heck and the engagement point now is about a foot from the floor and previously it was a few inches from the floor. Needless to say, I'm going back to fight them. At least about the adjustment for the engagement point. Feels like i'm driving a four cylinder clutch. I may fight for me buying the King Cobra and them installing it free. __________________ 1990 LX 5.0 Cobra Intake K&N filter ET 15.0 Yokohama ES 100. Cobra R 17's DynoMax SS's Pro 5.0 More to come

11-11-2003, 12:45 PM	#2
QuantumMotorsports Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Norman, Oklahoma, USA Posts: 597	The adjustment is not a big deal man. And why do you want the pedal to be harder to push? Seriously man, that's like complaining about your food tasting good. If the clutch holds and doesn't slip or chatter, quit griping. Get it adjusted and drive it. The engagement point should be halfway between the pedal being completely extended and completely to the floor. If the pedal is adjusted to that point, it should hold well and the pedal feel should be fine. Trust me, you could have much worse problems. Maybe part of your problem is that you trusted a dealership to do work on your car. Learn to do it yourself. Only way to get something done right is to do it yourself. __________________ Michael Black QuantumMotorsports Norman, OK 1984 LX Hatch 306 w/ TRW forged flat toppers, Comp Cams Magnum 292H, GT40P heads w/ 3 angle valve job, .550 lift springs, Angus Racing Roller Rockers, Weiand Stealth Intake, Holley 4150 650cfm carb, MAC 1 5/8 Long Tubes, Single Chamber Flowmasters, 91' T5 w/ Pro 5.0 shifter, Turbo Coupe 8.8 Rear w/ 3.55 gears, QA1 Motorsports tubular K member, no interior except steering wheel and seat. Coming soon: 6 or 8 point cage, Fuel Cell, Weld Draglites

11-11-2003, 02:06 PM	#3
Dark_5.0 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Staging lane Posts: 4,337	Good advice Anyways anytime a stock part breaks I always upgrade. Sounds like it just need adjusted. __________________ 92' LX-Big brakes, Lots and lots of suspension, GT40X heads, Ported cobra intake, stock cam, Vortech SC trim. 00' Lightning-Stock 88'CRX-13 second ego killer

11-11-2003, 03:11 PM	#4
Simi Stang Guest Posts: n/a	adjust it Simply pull upwards on your clutch with your hand. If your stock rachet mechanism is working properly, it should adjust your clucth to the correct position.

11-11-2003, 08:25 PM	#5
BLACK85GT Registered Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Tampa,FLORIDA Posts: 340	The kink cobra clutch has even lighter pedal pressure than the stock one. I think by 10%. __________________ 5.0, Holley heads, 1.7 Scorp Rockers, Stealth intake, Holley 600 carb, Holley Mech. Fuel pump, MSD 6Digital, MSD distributor, Hotchkis upper/lower rear control arms, FMS B Springs, 3:73 (8.8) rear. Production # 9,377

11-12-2003, 08:44 AM	#6
tmoss Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Saint Louis, MO Posts: 634	It may feel wimpy becasue it's not getting engage completely, if it takes that far out to engage. Do the adjustment "pull" and see if that helps. Personally, I'd put an aluminum quadrant and fire wall adjuster in there - the set is only like $60. __________________ Tom (Torque) Moss 88Gt 5spd Vert, FLowmaster Catbacks, stock cam advanced 4° @ 108.5° ICL, NMRA prepped GT40P heads 1.85/1.55 valves and 1.7 rockers, MAC P headers Jet-Hot coated, 97 Exlporer intake (ported lower), TB and injectors. 277RWHP/330RWTQ (SAE). http://www.fastlanecars.com/

11-12-2003, 04:16 PM	#7
QuantumMotorsports Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Norman, Oklahoma, USA Posts: 597	If it is engaging that high, the adjustment on the stock quadrant won't work. Probably, the dealer adjusted it too tight. If it is engaging far away from the floor it is too tight or the cable has been adjusted too short. If it engages near the floor, it is too loose or too long. If it is too long, the ratchet will work, for the other condition, you must reach under the dash and reset the rachet mechanism. It's kind of tough to explain how. Since you took it to the dealer in the first place, i'd go and tell them to readjust it, and make sure you get in the car after they are done and make sure it is in the right place. Like I said, it should be in the middle of the travel. __________________ Michael Black QuantumMotorsports Norman, OK 1984 LX Hatch 306 w/ TRW forged flat toppers, Comp Cams Magnum 292H, GT40P heads w/ 3 angle valve job, .550 lift springs, Angus Racing Roller Rockers, Weiand Stealth Intake, Holley 4150 650cfm carb, MAC 1 5/8 Long Tubes, Single Chamber Flowmasters, 91' T5 w/ Pro 5.0 shifter, Turbo Coupe 8.8 Rear w/ 3.55 gears, QA1 Motorsports tubular K member, no interior except steering wheel and seat. Coming soon: 6 or 8 point cage, Fuel Cell, Weld Draglites

11-12-2003, 05:40 PM	#8
VeNuM Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Downers Grove, IL Posts: 464	Just a little note, the King Cobra clutch in the 95 is harder to push in then the stock on in the 89. Could this be because it's a 80k clutch and the springs are gone? I don't know, just a little something to think about. __________________ 1989 Black Mustang GT Hatchback, Underdrive Pulles, Electric Fan, Cold Air Intake, Headers, Offroad H-Pipe, Magnaflow catback, Steeda Tri-Ax, Fluidyne Aluminum Radiator, Timing at 14*, 3.73's Coming not so soon: 408w Ricer Hater's Club Member #59

11-13-2003, 09:49 PM	#9
88workcar Registered Member Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Pierre Part, La. U.S.A. Posts: 1,850	my last "STOCK" clutch lasted 2 days. I spilt the disc in half. A good clutch is worth every penny. __________________ 88workcar 1988 Mustang LX 342. 417rwhp @ 6800. 28 X 10 ET Drag, 4.30s, 10.69 @ 126.43 1.42 60ft. 11.13 @ 127.7 on BFGs 1.72 60ft Rice Hater # 42 To be old and wise, You must first be young and stupid I'm somewhere in tthe middle.

11-14-2003, 12:28 PM	#10
sgwinn Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 84	thanks for the tips guys. I've called the dealer and told him I will bring the car for him to test drive. I'll try the other fixes before i go in. I actually looked at the original 1990 stock disk when it was out and it looked worn, but not terrible. It's all the pressure plate in these new ones that is so wimpy. If I start building up the motor (it's completely stock now) will the extra HP require a stronger pressure plate? One way or the other, I'm getting a different one. thanks again for the tips. __________________ 1990 LX 5.0 Cobra Intake K&N filter ET 15.0 Yokohama ES 100. Cobra R 17's DynoMax SS's Pro 5.0 More to come

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