96 RT/10 Clutch Pedal "falls off"

[jimmyp11]

has anybody had this issue and a fix. This has happened twice to me. The clutch pedal comes disconnected from the rod that engages the clutch. This connection is made under the dash on the clutch pedal. It "hooks" into the rod that engages the clutch.

What happens to me is somehow the rod that engages the clutch comes out of the clutch pedal and the pedal just falls to the floor since its no longer connected. Now there is no way to shift of course. I have to crawl under the dash and push the rod back into the clutch pedal. This works fine but eventually it comes off again.

Any ideas or help is greatly appreciated

 

[hou99gts]

There is a plastic bushing nicknamed the "birdcage" that connects the clutch pedal arm to the rod, it sounds like yours has broken off. Mine has broken off twice in my 1999 GTS. I finally decided I had enough of that, and with the help of Tom here on the board, I put a plain plastic bushing in place of the birdcage, then drilled a hole thru the clutch pedal mount and used a washer/cotter pin assembly to prevent it from happening again. It was not a fun project, replacing the birdcage is much easier, but I wanted the piece of mind after being stranded twice.

 

[jimmyp11]

Yeah I just took the birdcage off. Its cracked. Not a good way to "fasten" the clutch rod. It tight under there. I assume you took everything apart to drill the hole. Funny thing though I dont read much about this. Is it common??? Where did you get the plastic bushing? I found one of those horseshoe shaped fasteners that appears to be doing the trick.

 

[jimmyp11]

There is a plastic bushing nicknamed the "birdcage" that connects the clutch pedal arm to the rod, it sounds like yours has broken off. Mine has broken off twice in my 1999 GTS. I finally decided I had enough of that, and with the help of Tom here on the board, I put a plain plastic bushing in place of the birdcage, then drilled a hole thru the clutch pedal mount and used a washer/cotter pin assembly to prevent it from happening again. It was not a fun project, replacing the birdcage is much easier, but I wanted the piece of mind after being stranded twice.

BTW: If I decide to take it apart and drill a hole for a pin - any likes to how that clutch pedal arm comes out

Thanks
jim

 

[hou99gts]

Yeah I just took the birdcage off. Its cracked. Not a good way to "fasten" the clutch rod. It tight under there. I assume you took everything apart to drill the hole. Funny thing though I dont read much about this. Is it common??? Where did you get the plastic bushing? I found one of those horseshoe shaped fasteners that appears to be doing the trick.

I didn't like the design either, that is why I changed it. You can change the birdcage with the pedal assembly in, but I would suggest removing the front seat to make it easier to access everything (it is just 4 bolts). If you want to drill a hole, you will have to remove the entire pedal assembly, drill and test outside the car, then reassemble everything inside the car, and access is difficult to get the pin in the hole you drilled. It happens occasionally, I wouldn't say it is a widespread problem. I got the plastic bushing from Tom here on the forum, I'm not sure where he sourced it from. Your horseshoe fastener might work if it is large enough and stiff enough to stand the forces over time.

 

[hou99gts]

BTW: If I decide to take it apart and drill a hole for a pin - any likes to how that clutch pedal arm comes out

Thanks
jim

Since you have a gen I, I think your pedal assembly is different than my Gen II. On my gen II, I had to remove the entire 3 pedal assembly since they are on a common shaft. I think yours is different if I rememeber right (I searched this forum for a while to find answers when I had my problem). A search here might help ya a little if yours if different from mine.

 

[jimmyp11]

Thanks for the advice. The horseshoe clip (for a lack of better term ) is rigid, but like you said the test of time is the problem.

I'll do some searches on the pedal removal. They do seem to be seperate assemblies

Thanks
jim