My four speed car has a rattle under the dash. I thought it was a piece of fuse glass up in the lip of the metal part of the dash, but I realized that it has something to do with the clutch pedal. I am a little big to get in there without removing the seat, so I thought I'd ask here before I did that, hoping it is a common problem.


The sound is only present if I don't have my foot on the clutch pedal. I got the car used with a mystery aftermarket clutch, and the action is good on it- it does not drag and goes into gear easily when pressed, and it has a comfortable friction point when coming off the clutch. I am including these facts to explain why I never re-adjusted the free play to 1"- it is more like 3" or a little more and if I press the clutch in an inch or two but not enough to slip under power the rattle stops.

The sound seems to be coming from the inside of the cabin, not the zbar, but I'm not sure. Is there a rubber washer or anything in the linkage that could have gone away? I think the big spring stays tight no matter where the pedal is, so that was the only thing I could think of...

any ideas?

thanks
rdr

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madam im adam

I believe your describing classic throw-bearing noise.

Somebody here can give you specific-- parts/adjustments --(if any).

Search this site-- it probably has been covered, Lawrence

I don't think it is in the bellhousing if that is what you are saying- I do think that there is something in the bell that does make noise- like at idle I can hear the trans making some gentle noises that disappear when I press the clutch. In that case the noise does not go away until I get into the clutch pack's springs with the bearing- in other words if I make the clutch slip.

The sound I am experiencing is not present at idle- it is a sympathetic vibration that rattles something by my left knee, up in the clutch pedal area/ emergency brake area. It only rattles at certain rpms, around 2-3000. It is a little tight in there to rev the motor while parked and keep touching stuff to dampen the vibration until I find it, so I was hoping that there was something simple that maybe everybody but me knows about? I only have to move the clutch pedal into the free play area to stop it, not actually hard enough to move the throwout bearing in the bell.

Thanks anyway, and Im still open to other ideas- I'll be rebuilding my suspension before I take the seat out to find a rattle!

rdr

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madam im adam

With that much free play in it, the pedal itself or the linkage is rattling. I would check for missing clips on the rod from the pedal to the z-bar.

It is also possible the PO took out the over center spring. That will make the pedal rattle around too.

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Official Cookie and Mater Tormentor.

If this is correct you're taking up the 'slack' in the linkage by moving the pedal a bit/ also you're putting some pressure on the throwout bearing also by moving the clutch pedal in a bit... time to pull out a wrench and adjust the fork rod and see if:

1) the rubber bushing that dampens the rod adjustment screw to the hole in the fork is 'gone'/pulled through the hole/ or you're using the 80's truck metal ball/problem solver bushing and no rubber bushing (in which case, you need to adjust the fork rod properly and apply some oil to the ball face).

2) Make sure the linkage clips are all in good order and make sure there isn't any flex in the z-bar (you installed the fender/frame reinforcement plate, right?? and inserted a nice fingerfull of grease in the tube to keep the bushings lubed?)

3) Did you use an all metal construction throwout bearing or an aftermarket one that used a nylon sleeve?

-D.Idiot