Clutch fork push rod bushing

[methcat]

Does anyone know if a bushing is supposed to go in this eye? The Chilton seems to show two washers, but I dont really see a bushing. I've been googling for an hour and have yet to see a push rod bushing with a flat on one side.

I did find a bronze one at wild horses, but its round, an I assume you have to drill out the rod. There was also a thread on cb where someone asked the same back in 2009, but no answer. This has to be moderately common?

Or is it maybe supposed to be sloppy in one direction but not the other?

 

[DirtDonk]

No bushing.
Because the force (a pretty fair amount) is against the flat point the slop does not make much of a performance issue.
That said, I added a rubber thingy to mine and drove it that way for about ten years. Never fell out...

I think I split open a simple rubber grommet and used that. Just to reduce slop and wobble.
Never heard any noise before that, never had any clutch adjustment issues, just didn't like the design fit.

If there ever was supposed to be a bushing there, I don't think I've ever seen one and so would not know what it looks like.

Paul

 

[methcat]

Thanks. While I think thatd be fine for a while, the movement has eventually got to wear down the pin on the bell crank. I guess I'll check my wear and decide if I want to put a bronze bushing in there or not.

 

[DirtDonk]

Smart. While thinking about it, I seem to remember a slight variation between my original pushrod and the one I installed.
I don't actually remember the full reasoning behind the swap, but I think it was due to the tip having worn pretty badly where it pushes against the release arm/lever.
Just happened to notice at the same time that Dorman had one on their HELP rack that looked like it would work. But I do remember thinking that it wasn't shaped exactly the same, which might also be why I added the spacer/bushing/thingy.

Paul

 

[Crush]

I believe my old comet and some mustangs i had, have had a plastic bushing that is shaped like a hat in there but they dont last long. I have always just used the two washers and a good cotter pin to secure it. Cotter pins break occasionally and that rod falls out so if you hear a din-ding-dong while driving stop and check clutch operation then go lookin for the rod. Lol. Happened to me al least three times when i was younger

 

[blubuckaroo]

I used little heim joints on all my clutch linkage joints. It makes a really smooth pedal.
They're available at Fastenal.