Clutch Pedal Geometry? (Page 1/2)
Anthony196 MAR 27, 06:30 PM
The slave cylinder was frozen when I bought my car, and apparently someone was trying their best to get it unstuck. I replaced the clutch master and slave, bled the system, and was still barely getting the clutch to disengage. After searching around the forum a bit, I poked my head under the dash and realized the clutch pedal was actually resting slightly lower than the brake, so I figured a bent pedal was the culprit. I just accomplished the joyous task of getting the thing out and wanted to share a couple of pics and confirm what it should look like before I start bending things...

Should the centerline of the 'U' shaped bracket basically follow the centerline of the pivot bushing?



And should it be square to the pedal arm?
1985 Fiero GT MAR 27, 09:24 PM

quote
Originally posted by Anthony196:

The slave cylinder was frozen when I bought my car, and apparently someone was trying their best to get it unstuck. I replaced the clutch master and slave, bled the system, and was still barely getting the clutch to disengage. After searching around the forum a bit, I poked my head under the dash and realized the clutch pedal was actually resting slightly lower than the brake, so I figured a bent pedal was the culprit. I just accomplished the joyous task of getting the thing out and wanted to share a couple of pics and confirm what it should look like before I start bending things...

Should the centerline of the 'U' shaped bracket basically follow the centerline of the pivot bushing?



And should it be square to the pedal arm?




Yup, classic bent pedal! I think Rodney sells a kit to fix that, and maybe the Fiero store sells a new pedal.
Patrick MAR 27, 09:37 PM

quote
Originally posted by Patrick Here:

I know the older style is always referred to as the "aluminum" pedal. The weird thing is though, the part that bends on the older style pedal is STEEL. Yes indeed. It's not the aluminum arm of the older style pedal that bends, it's the steel bracket that the banjo attaches to.

Here's a picture of a bent aluminum pedal beside a newer style steel one. Notice it's NOT the aluminum arm that's bent (any more than it should be).



Following are two images of the same pedals pictured above, this time from the side. These images clearly show that the bracket also bends in a second direction away from the master cylinder.
jelly2m8 MAR 28, 12:31 AM

quote
Originally posted by Anthony196:





Yes you have it right, seeing you have it out you can straighten it back, pretty much what your diagrams show everything should be ' squared up'
buddycraigg MAR 28, 03:55 AM
Didn't I cover this like 20 years ago or something when me and Rodney had a pissing match?
longjonsilver MAR 28, 05:47 AM
Dont forget the double seal slave piston and adjustable banjo that Rodney sells. i have both on my car. i still have the original aluminum pedal and it has never bent.

------------------
Astronomy says we will find a coded signal from outer space. Then we'll KNOW that life exists there, for coded signals aren't by chance.

Biology says there are coded genetic signals in every cell, but we KNOW that no intelligence created life.

I'm the original owner of a white ' 84 2M4 purchased Dec 10, 1983 from Pontiac. Always garaged, no rust, 3800SC, 4-wheel drifts are fun!

1985 Fiero GT MAR 28, 07:02 AM

quote
Originally posted by buddycraigg:

Didn't I cover this like 20 years ago or something when me and Rodney had a pissing match?



I don't know, I wasn't even alive 20 years ago, and the OP just bought the car, enlighten me!
Anthony196 MAR 28, 12:18 PM

quote
Originally posted by longjonsilver:

Dont forget the double seal slave piston and adjustable banjo that Rodney sells. i have both on my car. i still have the original aluminum pedal and it has never bent.




Thanks - I did upgrade the slave I purchased with Rodney's piston. Didn't buy the adjustable banjo though...
Anthony196 MAR 28, 12:26 PM
Appreciate the replies - I'm still learning the forum. Once I realized the search function allows you to search the archives, I did find some of those older posts!
stevep914 MAR 28, 12:26 PM
Also remember when you get that all,straightened out, the last step of your bleeding procedure is to get the last air out of the system, by pushing the slave rod all the way back into the cylinder with the slave bleed screw open or out! ( from personal experience) Close the bleed screw and you should be good to go.