Unsullied_Spy

A few months ago, I fell asleep at the wheel and ran off the road at ~65 MPH and totalled my '02 GT. I got it all fixed up now, but I am having issues with the clutch not fully disengaging. On the drive back from the body shop I noticed that it was very difficult to get into gear and had to double-clutch it or else it wouldn't shift at all. Once I got it home I would put it in the gear I needed (either 1st or reverse) before starting it just to move it around and noticed that the clutch is catching even with the starter motor (the car is already moving once the engine starts). The pedal still feels as stiff as it was before the crash, I'm thinking something must have gotten bent. Any ideas?

cliffyk

Is there any free-play in the pedal?

Press on the pedal with your hand, there should be 1-1/4" or so movement before you feel the throwout bearing contact the clutch spring fingers and start to disengage the clutch.

nascrchi

right off the bat, I truly think it's the clutch fork! I had the same prob. I would try to put it in first and felt is if I was gonna break the shifter handle. I'm almost 100% sure you need a clutch fork.


https://mustangforums.com/forum/4-6l...e-damaged.html
turned out to be my clutch fork...

Unsullied_Spy

Yeah, probably the clutch fork....drat. It's been too cold in the last few months to even lift it up to take a look but it sure sounds like I bent it. I haven't put in much wrench time on this car, would it be worthwhile to take it to my mechanic to have the work done or is it something I can do at home in my spare time? I'm already planning on having him do rear gears (ditch the 3.07:1s) so having him do the clutch fork at the same time would be convenient enough.

nascrchi

Most definitely! $130 with the clutch fork from the Ford dealer and labor for me. The shifts will be much smoother! GOOD LUCK.

Unsullied_Spy

Thanks for the help! I am really looking forward to the roads drying up so I can drive her again!

Unsullied_Spy

I took the cover off the clutch fork and it all looks fine, but about 2 pounds of caked-in dirt fell out. I sat there going back and forth between 1st and reverse and it works occasionally but still hangs a bit. I think I've probably got a bunch of crap jammed up in the bell-housing that's messing with my clutch so I'm going to pull the tranny and replace the clutch, pressure plate, throwout bearing, etc.