Clutch rod--safety check

[Lattimer]

Went to put some new rubber boots in to seal up my firewall today.

Unhooked the clutch rod from the pedal to the pivot to put the new boot on, and found that the end of the rod was nearly worn through. I guess 43 years will do that.

I have a feeling it would have broken on me in the near future. The steel the pivot is made from must be harder, because that appeared to have very little wear.

I took the rod out, welded it up, ground it back down, dressed it with a Dremel, and put it all back. Clutch action actually feels a lot better now.

Just a note for those with original clutch rods who may not have looked at them, this is something that should probably be inspected before it breaks and causes an accident. If mine was worn, many others probably are as well.

[terry b]

Like to know how many times the pedal got pushed down over all those years.

[ole dollor]

would not hurt for every one to check theirs, mine was worn really bad when it took it out to put the auto trans in...

[Rufton]

Clutch linkage wears on many 60's vehicles.
Not a fan of nylon bushings; fail quick if hole/shaft worn.
I'm ok w/ sintered bronze bushings; they last a good while if shaft/hole decent.
Sometimes I have to drill out to 1/2" to get a round hole and build up rod w/ weld.

For overkill I like roller bearings at clutch pedal and heim joints for linkages.

Simple linkage can be made from carriage bolt, round bar stock, all thread, etc.

[Lattimer]

Originally Posted by Rufton

Clutch linkage wears on many 60's vehicles.
Not a fan of nylon bushings; fail quick if hole/shaft worn.
I'm ok w/ sintered bronze bushings; they last a good while if shaft/hole decent.
Sometimes I have to drill out to 1/2" to get a round hole and build up rod w/ weld.

For overkill I like roller bearings at clutch pedal and heim joints for linkages.

Simple linkage can be made from carriage bolt, round bar stock, all thread, etc.

I'm a fan of heim joints myself. I may make a new clutch rod with them at some point.

Roller bearings on the clutch would make it really smooth.

Your pic of the worn rod is about half as bad as mine was.

[RHGuyettejr]

When they break they like to slice the oil filter wide open. Looks great pulled over on the side of the road with 5qts of oil under your truck. haha.

[Rufton]

Originally Posted by Lattimer

I'm a fan of heim joints myself. I may make a new clutch rod with them at some point.

Roller bearings on the clutch would make it really smooth.

Your pic of the worn rod is about half as bad as mine was.

My Dad said he is pretty sure truck only turned over once giving it a total of 198,000 miles. Do you know how many miles is on yours?

Roller bearings are sweet. Hope they last a lifetime.

[Lattimer]

Originally Posted by Rufton

My Dad said he is pretty sure truck only turned over once giving it a total of 198,000 miles. Do you know how many miles is on yours?

Roller bearings are sweet. Hope they last a lifetime.

I'm assuming its 110,000. Nothing looks worn enough to be 210,000

[ole dollor]

Originally Posted by Rufton

Clutch linkage wears on many 60's vehicles.
Not a fan of nylon bushings; fail quick if hole/shaft worn.
I'm ok w/ sintered bronze bushings; they last a good while if shaft/hole decent.
Sometimes I have to drill out to 1/2" to get a round hole and build up rod w/ weld.

For overkill I like roller bearings at clutch pedal and heim joints for linkages.

Simple linkage can be made from carriage bolt, round bar stock, all thread, etc.

now that is a great solution to the clutch rod problem....for both rods it would smooth up a lot of drag....thanks for posting....