Clutch Rod bushings

Im dealing with mine now on my Classic. When yours was bad did it make all kinds of rattling noise that resonated through the clutch pedal? Assuming that where my noise is coming from as my isolator is shot

 

Yes that rattling from under the dash. I used an axle bolt from aco, grinding it down some. Best to just pay the few bucks at Dealer. Get the right bolt, rod with bushings. I think mines rattling now, because of a weak spring. Dealer lists spring for a crazy $$$$ price. Something wrong in their system. Be sure to check the ball joint on other end at Transmission. When changing these parts, especially the bottom ball joint on trans lever, be sure to check and properly adjust clutch if necessary first to spec. Adjust linkage afterwards. Don’t try to adjust clutch to match linkage afterwards. You’ll get it all out of whack, and possibly over adjusted. I did anyway. If your linkage is sloppy, chances are the clutch needs adjustment. The freeplay you have isn’t real freeplay, just sloppy linkage. Might want to check cab bushings on the front corners to frame. If they’re shot, it will affect the distance of the linkage also. New Cab bushings, rod bushings, including ball joint at trans end. Adjust clutch, adjust linkage. Like new for years. Return spring, if needed. I’m still looking for one. Don’t want it too strong. But factory one is weak. I think it lets everything rattle, especially when it’s sloppy.

 

Thanks a bunch, exactly what I'm dealing with. Like a dunce I paid the $53 for the clutch return spring. You can imagine how bad I wanted my money back after that annoying as hell rattle was still there. Then I got looking at that bushing and its shot. They're original so Id imagine the cab mounts are toast as well throwing out of adjustment. Lately I've noticed when I start out from a stop I get a quick little grunt, best way I can describe it when the clutch engages. Maybe the disc is getting a little thin but not slipping any.

 

I went through hell with mine.I actually broke the shift rod on trans twice. They’re expensive, both times on the weekends. Had to get it welded. Now it’s reinforced. Lol. Due to hitting a big bump, with bad Cab and Motor mounts. I should have mentioned the motor mounts. If they bad, it affects the adjustment ( distance ) also. Chances are you need them too. If you need any help, let Me know. I just went through all of it last year. There’s a few tricks I learned the hard way, doing them, to avoid losing a finger.

 

This rattling noise in dash.
I hear the noise also in my FLD. When I lightly push the clutch pedal it will stop. Also during acceleration it goes away. According to your post. This is caused by the linkage in Rideandrepair's post?
Thanks

 

Exact same here, push in on freeplay just a bit, running down the road, it goes away. That’s why I suspect it’s the spring. It’s worse if the linkage bushings bad, everything rattles. I also used to hear the spring going wawawawawa, Lol, after hitting a big bump, when motor mounts, and cab mount bushings were bad. I had made my own with bushing with rubber hose and had wood shims jammed into the cab bushings. Lol. Took a while to figure it out. I’m tempted to just shorten it up, but not sure if it will then break. I think an identical spring, just a bit heavier will work better. Or a new original type, but eventually it would probably come back. It’s a very common problem. It had all but gone away, forgotten. After I replaced everything. Lately I’ve noticed its back and getting worse, especially when Lugging. Ideally no play in linkage or bushings, and motor mounts. I’m going to check mine again. Make sure the bolts tight enough, but not too tight, as it needs to swivel. Also going to get the proper bolt like Dino soar did, eventually another spring. Just got to find the right one. Bottom line motor mounts, cab mounts all affect the length of linkage, if they get bad enough, a big bump in the road, can cause the arm on transmission to snap. Leaving you with no way of disengaging clutch. Then you have to run very carefully, Lol. Slipping it into neutral before stopping, then slipping it into creeper as you turn key off. Starting in creeper gear to get going again. Fun Fun. I ran from Louisville to Baton Rouge, made 3 deliveries like that in rush hour traffic. Best to avoid all that. Check cab and motor mounts.

 

I've run without the clutch working before. Not fun. That sounds exactly like my noise. Thanks

 

I hit mine every time but I know what you mean, they're a common spot that gets missed along with the upper u joint in the steering column