weird clutch fork issues

[m_m70]

So I've been having weird issues with my clutch.....it engages and releases fine but after a couple miles of freeway driving, if I push the clutch in, it feels like i's binding at the very top of the stroke. It still releases when pushed to the floor just fine. The only time it does this is after constant freeway speeds after five/ten minutes. No slippage. Just this weird binding.

So today I figured I'd mess with the adjustment starting with the adjustable push rod at the pedal. Moved underneath to adjust the bullet and while I had that removed to grease, I noticed I could move the clutch fork in and out toward the TO bearing a good half inch. This can't be normal as the position effects the adjustment of the bullet.........

Curious if any of you have had this problem before.

Any help would be appreciated!

 

[73azbronco]

You need to get a flashlight and pop out that rubber boot and make sure fingers of arm engage throwout bearing clips.

 

[DirtDonk]

What do you mean by the fork moves in and out? Is it pivoting on the mechanism and just has play/clearance that needs taking up? Or are you able to slide the fork itself forward and rearward without it pivoting on anything?

The Ford fork pivot is a very common failure point, especially on vehicles with aftermarket clutches with stiffer springs.
Either the rivets fail, or the bracket itself fails at the 90° bend. If you can move the fork without it being held in place and pivoting cleanly, then either this pivot bracket has failed, or the spring on the back of the fork has failed.

If you're talking about the fork pivoting that amount, that's the normal travel of the throwout bearing on the transmission bearing retainer (snout). This is part of the adjustment and the spring keeps the fork from moving out of that range.

You should adjust the pedal and mechanism by the book rather than moving it around. once you get the basic settings done to factory specs, you can move stuff around a little bit from that starting point.

paul