Broken Clutch Rod

Clois Harlan · #1 (**permalink**) 06-03-2002, 04:42 AM

I need some advise on the way I have my McCloud Hyd clutch installed. This weekend I went racing and was turning some pretty good times at Mid-America Motorplex outside of Omaha when in one of the strait-a-ways I pushed down on my clutch to up shift and bent my clutch rod. At inspection I found that the rod that attaches to your clutch foot pedal and pushes the piston in the master cylinder (Wilwood) had bent a full 90 degrees. Disabling me on the track (called out the roll back).

My question is,what have I done wrong in the assembly of this hydraulic clutch?

I apear to be aligned horizontially with the master cylinder and clutch pedal. Should I have some kind of stop to limit the travel of my clutch pedal?

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Clois Harlan

Richard Hudgins · #2 (**permalink**) 06-03-2002, 07:50 PM

Clois,

If I understand correctly, you bent the pushrod between the clutch pedal and the MC.

Are you using the Wilwood pedal assembly?

Even if you are not, It is hard to believe that you can have enough misalignment to cause this problem and have the unit work at all.

If you are bottoming out the cylinder this may cause the problem, but you would have to "really push" on the pedal to bend the rod.

My guess is a bad input rod.

Clois Harlan · #3 (**permalink**) 06-04-2002, 05:41 AM

Yes, I am using a Wilwood 3/4" master cylinder pusher type. After getting back home to Tulsa and out of almost 100 degrees of pit temps in Omaha last weekend I believe I found the problem. The alignment apears to be ok but I bottomed out hard enough to bend the rod and break the piston spring. I think I was coming out of a turn at about 90+ mph and hit my clutch hard (very hard) shifting on the straight a way trying to catch the car in front of me. Rookie mistake...

I will pick up another master cylinder today and after installing and bleeding the unit I will install a stop pad behind my pedal. Hopefully, this won't happen again because I was having "too much fun" when I had to quit.

Just a side note: Mike Moss at HP Motorsports in Omaha took the time on Saturday afternoon (after his shop was supposed to be closed) to help me rebuild a master cylinder so I could get back on the track. Great people that do quality work. These guys can build anything and I hope if any of you are in need of quality work fairly priced you give them a call or check out their web site:

www.hpmotorsport.com

Thanks everyone,

Clois Harlan

Mr.Fixit · #4 (**permalink**) 06-07-2002, 04:21 PM

You probubly hurt your pressure plate assy. Check it out.

Clois Harlan · #5 (**permalink**) 06-17-2002, 07:17 AM

I went to the Tulsa Ford performance and Shelby Meet this weekend and ran at Hallett road course and then at the Tulsa Int. Drag Strip. But, before I took the car out I completely went through everything including the clutch and pressure plate.

I found no damage to my clutch, pressure plate or McLeod throw out bearing. The only problems were to the firewall master cylinder. I have replaced that and made some modifications to prevent this from happening again.
First I took some 16 ga flat steel and re-drilled the holes for the master cylinder. I then built two '"L"brackets from 1/8" X 1" flat steel that uses the horizontal holes in the master cylinder. Now I am attached to the firewall with the two vertical mounting holes as well as the two horizontal holes via an "L" bracket running along the side of the master cylinder on each side attached to the fire wall. The other modification I made was to limit the travel of my clutch pedal. After much deliberation and a few trial set ups I ended up using a piece of chain that attaches to the top of my pedal and the back of my cowl support (works great and is not in my way).

Didn't have any problems with anything this weekend but I did run off the track in one of the turns (no damage-just a little embarased). Had a great time racing just not enough track time for me.

Thanks for everyones input.

Clois Harlan