I just bought a 1998 Cobra and the day I test drove it at the dealership, I noticed the clutch grabbing way up high. After a short test drive I returned to the dealer and explained the car needs a clutch. I beat him up for $1,400. When I went back for a second time I drove it further and became quite confused. As high as the pedal grabs, the clutch doesn't slip. I tried all the "make the clutch slip" tricks in the book. I tried the pull up on the pedal trick, nothing. I did see an aluminum green collar on the firewall the clutch cable passes through. I believe that can somehow adjust the clutch. And I believe I read factory cables don't have an adjustment at the fork. Brilliant, Ford engineering Dept.! I looked up under the dash and saw the factory Japanese steel (plastic) quadrant. So after that diatribe I'm asking "has anyone encountered a similiar situation?" How does that collar help with an adjustment? Should I spring for an aluminum quadrant/cable kit? I was going to replace the OEM quadrant eventually anyways. Just wondering if I'm in denial that the car does need a clutch. The clutch can be bad and still not slip, correct? Thanks in advance folks.

 

Buy an clutch quadrant & firewall adjuster... pretty simple to install .... will solve where the pedal grabs

http://www.americanmuscle.com/stficaad.html

http://www.americanmuscle.com/stqureclqu.html

 

It seems that the car already has a firewall adjuster equipped...

I have a steeda firewall adjuster. I am able to adjust where the clutch engages/disengages by loosening a small screw within the adjuster itself and then turning the adjuster clockwise or counter clockwise to where I prefer the clutch engages/disengages. In your case, I would try turning the adjuster clockwise so that the clutch engages closer to he floor.

 

As soon as the wall of snow allows, I'm trying the collar adjustment. Someone went a great length to install that, but left the plastic quadrant under the dash...Thanks Forumites for the tips!!

 

Need to get that plastic quadrant out of there.....

 

^^^^ exactly