Clutch operating shaft ??

faustmb wrote:

When doing some maintenance on my 50 Pacemaker this weekend, I discovered that the clutch shaft on the outside of the transmission is not engaged into the trans as it should be. I haven't had a chance to tear it apart yet, but was hoping to get some advice here first. What should hold this shaft in place? The shop manual is vague on this point, and I can't see in there too well.

Thanks in advance,
Matt

Matt



Are your questions about the shaft that is connected to the clutch pedal linkage? If so the following pictures show the part you are asking about. The first picture shows the paddle shaft. The shaft shown has a worn heavy end as is the frame mounting point. This frame mount to cross shaft joint is metal on metal from the factory and after 50 years it can have significant wear. The wear causes the shaft to be out of round and creates problems when trying to adjust the clutch. The second picture depicts this wear on both original parts. The third picture is of a brass oil bushing installed in the cross shaft mount. It re-centers the big end of the cross shaft and creates a lubricated surface for movement. The last picture shows the smaller shaft end at the paddle end of the cross shaft. This smaller bearing point is mounted in RUBBER. As the legend on the picture states... the OD and ID center the shaft point and allow for movement while cushioning the cross shaft from vibrations. I used a piece of heater hose to replicate this bushing when re-installing the shaft. The rubber bushing deteriorates over time due to the petroleum products.


Hope this helps.

faustmb wrote:

Thats exactly it Ken. Your pictures and insight are very helpful. It looks like the mounting bracket may be bent on mine also, allowing the paddle shaft to move away from the bellhousing to the driver side of the car. I don't know if I'll have time to pull it out before the Pigeon forge meet this week...

Matt

Matt

Not being argumenative, I would suggest it would be very hard to bend that bracket... more likely the screws loosened and the shaft has pushed the bracket over. the interface for the shaft can wear as the strong counter spring keeps tension on the shaft all the time .... check for the mounting screws... make sure the shaft is centered in the bracket as it comes back in place if the screws are indeed loose. Good Luck.

Jon B wrote:

Somewhere in the last three months, someone advised me that something on this shaft (I think) is pinned to the shaft, and that the pin may ultimately shear off. So that when you step on the clutch, nothing happens. The part in question may be the "wingnut"-shaped thingie (with the rubber bumpers on it).



This may only be in the pre-war cars like mine, or perhaps the problem extends to the StepDown.



Anyway, if anyone else is aware of this problem, what is the "fix"? Can a new pin be obtained or must one simply weld the wingnut to the shaft?

Jon



The parts to which you refer are the tapered pins which locate the throw out bearing collar on the companion shaft within the bell housing. The companion shaft is moved by the linkage that is shown in the pictures presented in previous posts. When the pins shear the external shaft will move the companion shaft within the bell housing but the throw out bearing is not pushed so the pressure plate continues to hold pressure on the clutch plate. To repair a sheared pins one must remove the transmission and bell housing, remove the shaft from the bell housing drill out the pins, and replace. When reassembling the shaft bushings should also be replaced. Note the collar can wear too so it should be examined for wear before reuse.