Clutch pedal ratchet problem

[pictishpunkgirl]

This isn't a big problem (yet!) but our 94 2.5di's clutch was replaced in June & periodically (only when i've been driving), the plastic ratchet at the top of the clutch pedal clunks as if it's slipping it's teeth. It's hard to change gear for a minute then it's OK. Is it self adjusting or are the plastic teeth worn? On my Granada, wear in the pedal bearing made it chew the teeth until it was unusable(same ratchet).

Thanks

morag

[rover]

It is self adjusting and it may or may not chew any more teeth, mine does exactly the same, it doesnt go altogether, just drops one tooth for a few minutes...then picks it back up again, its been doing it for about four years! When it first happened I went straight out and bought a new ratchet set for it, its still sitting in the drawers in the back of the van

Now you have mentioned it it will probably strip all its teeth next time I go out in it

[wheelerstyres]

mine used to do this its a self adjuster
so what i did because i nearly run into a car
at the back of the ajuster is a flapn of metal which lifts the plastic thing that grips the teeth on the half moon thing
any how just bent this away and ajust the clutch manualy
and it will never do it again

[pictishpunkgirl]

Thanks to you both, that's re-assuring - also that it's not just me - it happened to my other half on Saturday. I'll take a look at the metal thingy today.

Morag

[Nighthawk]

The clutch ratchet adjusting system should not make loud banging noises and allow the pedal to touch the bottom of it's stroke without actuating the clutch.

Have a look at the teeth and the condition of the quadrant bushes.

If any of the teeth look flat or they are missing the ratchet needs replacing.

Top tip..........add a plastic sump bung washer between the clutch cable and the transmission bell housing, it has the effect of lengthening the cable's outer casing and will move the ratchet onto the next tooth.

Or you could go all the way and retro fit the later pedal from manualy adjusted transit.

[bazw]

the quadrant cams set(the plastic bits) is only a £5 or so from a parts shop and is not hard to change

[pictishpunkgirl]

Yes, we've changed one on a Granada but without being able to get the seat off, it's a tough job & our Transit seat's rusted on!

[Nighthawk]

you don't need to take the seat of a transit to do it, the labour time schedule dealers use only allowed them 18 minutes to do the job. (0.3rs)

plenty of room in the footwell.

******************Nighthawks TOP TIP*********************

disconnet the cable at the ratchet end by pushing back the quadrant.
undo the end spring clip and slide the pedal off the cross shaft with the pedal return spring still ON.

with the pedal in your left handgrab the spring with your right and hook it ontop of the bracket on the pedal box for later.

Then as you build it up, attatch the spring back to the pedal before putting the pedal on the crosss shaft.


This method reduces the chance of the spring slippng and digging in your finger before shooting off underneath the floormat.


Sounds complicated, but with the pedal in your hand it's very self apparent.


P.s the clutch ratchet on cortina/sierra/P100 and granada was supposed to be done with the pedal box mounted in a vice.....it was much easier

[pictishpunkgirl]

Thanks for all that info - having seen the bits I can kind of picture it and if there is wear I suspect it's worn pedal bushes allowing too much movement. Many thanks for the tips.

Morag