Why do I have to be so picky?

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spidernut
Posts: 1906
Joined: Wed Jan 25, 2006 12:20 am
Your car is a: 1979 Fiat Spider Automatic
Location: Lincoln, CA

Why do I have to be so picky?

Post by spidernut »

I think I'm too picky and torture myself too much. I had a creak in my clutch pedal and realized it was the bushings on the shaft that holds the clutch and brake pedal in place. As always, I have to fix it right. So, I removed it and lubricated everything and put it back together. It works fantastic! The problem is that I now have a pinched nerve in my shoulder, a numb spot in my arm and a stiff neck from contorting myself underneath the dashboard. :cry:
John G.
1979 Spider (Owned since 2000)
1971 124 Sport Spider (Owned since 2017)
1977 Spider (Sold 2017)
1979 Spider (Disposed of in 2017)
1979 Spider (Sold 2015)
1980 Spider (Sold in 2013)
1981 Spider (Sold in 1985)
2017 Spider (Owned since 2019)
NJFIAT1981
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Your car is a: 1970 SPIDER AND A 1976 SPIDER
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Re: Why do I have to be so picky?

Post by NJFIAT1981 »

The costs of a job well done.
dmwhiteoak
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Your car is a: 1972 Fiat 124 spider
Location: White Oak Tx

Re: Why do I have to be so picky?

Post by dmwhiteoak »

I had a creak in my clutch pedal and while I was contimplating fixing it, it quit. Maybe your just not patient enough. :lol:
Dennis Modisette

1972 124 Spider
2003 Chevrolet Z71
2007 GMC Yucon
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engineerted
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Your car is a: 1974 124 spider
Location: Farmington Hills, MI

Re: Why do I have to be so picky?

Post by engineerted »

It's bitch getting old!
Ted
1978 124 Spider, Complete Restoration
1974 Fiat 124 F Production Race car
baltobernie
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Your car is a: 1973 Spider [sold]
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Re: Why do I have to be so picky?

Post by baltobernie »

I'da given it a shot of White Lithuanian Grease and turned off my hearing aids for the next coupla drives. :lol:
georgeramos
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Joined: Wed Nov 02, 2011 11:11 am
Your car is a: 1971 124 Spider 1608

Re: Why do I have to be so picky?

Post by georgeramos »

white lithuanian grease sounds kinda gross...
Gunsmith

Re: Why do I have to be so picky?

Post by Gunsmith »

You guys are killin me!.. :lol:
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JammerX19
Posts: 169
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Your car is a: 1974 124 Spider

Re: Why do I have to be so picky?

Post by JammerX19 »

I have a similar problem. Can you outline the process you went through to fix this?
Jody Farr
'74 124 Spider
'12 Fiat 500 Prima Edizione #13
Exit98

Re: Why do I have to be so picky?

Post by Exit98 »

OK Jammer,

Here you go, first, find a Lithuanian.....
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JammerX19
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Re: Why do I have to be so picky?

Post by JammerX19 »

Exit98 wrote:OK Jammer,

Here you go, first, find a Lithuanian.....
Does it have to be a Lithuanian or will a citizen of any former eastern bloc country suffice?
Jody Farr
'74 124 Spider
'12 Fiat 500 Prima Edizione #13
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tartan18
Posts: 505
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Your car is a: 1975 Fiat 124 Spider
Location: Lebanon, Oregon

Re: Why do I have to be so picky?

Post by tartan18 »

I think he means a Lithuanian living in Greece
Jim MacKenzie
1975 Fiat Spider
Finest Italian Automotive Technology
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spidernut
Posts: 1906
Joined: Wed Jan 25, 2006 12:20 am
Your car is a: 1979 Fiat Spider Automatic
Location: Lincoln, CA

Re: Why do I have to be so picky?

Post by spidernut »

Whew! Well....here goes....and I'm part Lithuanian so this comes from the source:

1. Push driver's seat back as far as it will go.
2. Prepare yourself to contort into a pretzel (or find a small Greek Lithuanian to do the work)
3. Question your sanity
4. Take a deep breath
5. Remove the nut on the right side of the pivot shaft for the brake and clutch pedal mechanism.
6. Remove the clutch assist spring (it is easier if you use a stick or other method of depressing the clutch pedal first)
7. Remove the brake pedal return spring.
8. Remove the clip holding the brake to the brake booster see image

Image

9. Take another deep breath and question your sanity again
10. Hire a second Lithuanian because the first one will have quit by now.
11. Slide the bolt that goes through the pedal mechanism as far to the left as possible.
12. Remove the white bushing on the right side first
13. The goal is to remove all the plastic bushings and metal sleeves and grease them up
14. The bolt will not come out easily unless you remove the entire pedal mechanism, but it can come out without removing it.
15. One piece at a time either slide the bushings and sleeves to the right and grease them, or be an insane fool like me and remove all of the parts by wiggling the bolt every angle possible and removing both pedals then grease them up.
16. Now the fun begins...because you'll now need to reconnect the clutch cable and put it all back together again.
17. When re-assembled, go for psychological counseling and get physical therapy on your shoulders and arms

The creaking (and in my case clicking from being so dry) was caused by the bushings and sleeves being bone dry. Once back together again, it is smooth as silk and works perfectly!

Speaking as a part Lithuanian...the Greece will make all the difference.
John G.
1979 Spider (Owned since 2000)
1971 124 Sport Spider (Owned since 2017)
1977 Spider (Sold 2017)
1979 Spider (Disposed of in 2017)
1979 Spider (Sold 2015)
1980 Spider (Sold in 2013)
1981 Spider (Sold in 1985)
2017 Spider (Owned since 2019)
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JammerX19
Posts: 169
Joined: Mon Mar 08, 2010 9:46 am
Your car is a: 1974 124 Spider

Re: Why do I have to be so picky?

Post by JammerX19 »

Thanks. I'm not sure my mental health coverage is adequate to the task but I will place the ads in the paper for the Lithuanians.
Jody Farr
'74 124 Spider
'12 Fiat 500 Prima Edizione #13
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johndemar
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Your car is a: 1976 Fiat 124 Spider
Location: Phoenix

Re: Why do I have to be so picky?

Post by johndemar »

I'll just add that it's worth the extra effort for me to just remove the drivers seat before attempting anything under the dash.
Your back will thank you for it.
76 Fiat 124 Spider
One owner since July 20, 1976
Amadio Motor, Jeannette, PA
Gunsmith

Re: Why do I have to be so picky?

Post by Gunsmith »

But if you remove the seat where do you put the Lithuanian? The back seat is probably too small unless of course we have been talking about a little Lithuanian in that case I understand the whole process a bit better. :roll:
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