clutch peddle modification using bearings
 

I took out the clutch / brake peddle assembly out today. I was just going to buy a new one... but I think instead my sons and i are going to rebuild it using bearings rather than bushings, change the pads out to something more the race peddle none slip none rubber pad type... should take 2 weeks... as my sons, they do the welding, are finishing finals. 1 week for that, lol...

The question is, has any one else done this? or something like this? it always helps to not have to invent the wheel all over again...

BTW, also purchased one of those new hime?? joints connecting rod kits for the peddle to the Z bar to the clutch fork from speed direct... hoping for a really nice clean tight leaner feel when done.


http://www.speeddirect.com/wp-conten...e-Tri-Five.pdf

awe, come on now...if you don't reinvent it to later find out someone else did it digging through thousands of threads, what fun is it?

I purchased a set of C5 pedals with the idea of doing some thing similar.
I even got an automatic brake pedal because I like to left foot brake.
Not a lot of width in the foot well it may or may not work out.
Only about 12 other things that need to get done first.

Any good ideas for a dead pedal?
I want that more than a new clutch and brake pedal.

what is a dead pedal?

A shelf or pad to the far left at pedal height.
Keeps your left foot off of the clutch pedal or from under the clutch pedal.

On the early C-3s, that is where the headlight dimmer switch is, so no dead pedal. My 308 had a dead pedal, worked well.

I have the speed direct rods and they solved my rattling clutch and loose rods. It tightened everything up. The bearings over the bushings sounds like a cool project

I have given this a lot of thought and I actually stopped on it due to the actual benefit of doing this modification is not that much of an increase for all of the time and effort I was putting into the modifications. I do agree about using the heim jointed rod ends for the other linkage rods.

I have dealt with so many Corvettes over the years that these bushings hold up and seem to be one of the areas where it is somewhat bulletproof and does not fail. YES...there is an occasional bushing that needs to be replaced or lubricated...but it is very few and far between. And with these cars getting older and older...often times when new bushing are installed it is ready for the next 40+ years of usage

I hope you can get it to the way you want it due to I did not want to change the shaft diameter at all.

Just be glad you took this out due to the wear on the pin that is attached to your clutch pedal where the clutch push rod goes. The red circle is circling it and the yellow arrow is pointing to the worn area. But I am sure you already know this.

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...401093929.jpeg


DUB

Paul, if you are thinking about needle bearings on the existing pedal pivot shaft, keep in mind that needle bearings need a very hard and smooth shaft surface, especially when it is traveling back and forth over the same small area. The needles will eat into the shaft. I would look more to delrin bushings with a grease zerk. It would still be low friction, would be easy to do and probably outlast you.

Mike

Interested in seeing what you come up with...

thx,,, I learned something...
don't know if I would want it though...

If you look at picture #3 I posted, it showed a crack in the mettle holding the pivot rod. I plan on replacing that with a bearing.. the bearing will have its own race, and the rod will be made to fit directly into that race...

As far as the cracks worn mettle and so on,,, yea, I know... total rework..

next week sometime I plan on starting this,,

I hope all goes well for you an I am due you will get it as you want it.

In the photo below if that is the crack you are commenting on. I have seen them do this and I have used a thick walled washer that I reamed out to slip fit over the end of the collar after I tapped it back together and welded it on to give it much more support so it can not split.

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...13bc0c129.jpeg
DUB.

yep, and that is where the bearings will be put.

Ok, ... back in the country,,, and starting this project...
Took a bit of a right, but I think I will like it better, and it was what I originally envisioned anyway.
I ordered these today.. I'll let you know what mods are needed along the way..
it does not use bearings like I wanted, but I am going to see if there is enough beef left if the peddle hole could be board out the accept a pin bearing.

https://www.jegs.com/i/Lokar/625/BCA-9513/10002/-1

Wonder if Turn 1 has something for you.

If the vette setups are antything like the A and F body setups they use cheesy plastic bushings that are supposed to tighten things up.
Got mine pretty good but after awhile the left pedal can get some play know what you mean. If you are OCD this chit matters lol.

You may have to drill out a housing and get some sized to press in?

ok... Doing the bearings... pictures to date:

Someone said a few months ago, that we done make anything??? lol..

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...7317432f23.jpg
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...33c8309d41.jpg
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...2fc135f3cd.jpg
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...b59f608b6c.jpg
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...d6a94d9f58.jpg
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...94d520b77c.jpg
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...28059a68e5.jpg
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...6cd67d79e5.jpg
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...f2d4f311b6.jpg
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...aa9340f18f.jpg