Clutch cable installation tricks?

[hdhracerx]

Replacing the broken one in my 73 this morning I found it too difficult to get the cable end properly inserted into the pedal recess.

Very little access up in there and the distance in the gap at the very end seems too snug to easily drop it in. I am able to get it very close, but because there's no apparent way to pop it in from the top, it's not going to drop into place by itself.

After an hour and a half I gave up. Any tricks I should be aware of. HAVE to get it in this eve so I can catch a flight in the morning!

thanks!

hdh

[77SportSpider]

It's very difficult, I've done it a couple times now. So far I'm not aware of any tricks other than having small and flexible hands. Persistence and patience will help too.

[hdhracerx]

Appreciate the thought - ran out of time this morning... Will be getting some better light under there and going back at it this eve.

How about the pedal spring removal? I think perhaps if I could get that spring off the clutch pedal, I'd have the room I'd need to move. Seems too stiff to remove it so far...

hdh

[Baz]

As far as the spring goes, I received a great tip here some time ago. I could not get the spring fitted to the pedal. The tip was to put the spring in the vice and bend it over placing a 20c coin in each gap, then bend the spring the opposite way and do the same which will stretch the spring out. I then took it out of the vice with coins still attached and simply put it in place and pulled out the coins. Simple !!
You will be able to do this by pushing the pedal down and then put in the coins. At least that will get the spring out.


Good luck
Baz

[kmead]

First do not remove the spring. If the spring has broken replace it, but there is no reason to remove it to replace the cable.

This is one of those patience things. Its best to have a second person pushing in on the cable sheath from the engine compartment. Put some dishwasher soap or hand soap on the rubber grommet to get the cable sheath to stay in the hole. Then slide the cable itself as far into the pedal well as you can from inside the car (the threaded end by the transmission will limit the amount of cable you can pull in.

Put the cable end barrel down into the slot so the barrel is horizontal, making sure the cable itself is in the "fork". Using a screwdriver push the cable end barrel into the recess completely so the cable goes through the "fork". I was able to use a small pair of locking pliers (the long thin nosed small vice grip) to push/drive it into the recess. Once it is fully seated it can rotate to allow the cable to always face the opening in the firewall.

It is very easy to jam the barrel vertically into the fork, it needs to be horizontal (perpendicular to the opening of the fork).

[adrians]

Timely advice - I have to do my clutch cable on the weekend !

Also be aware that there are some 124 clutch cables that are shorter than others ( as I discovered ), these cables are for the 124 sedan and wagons with OHV engines - this is only applicaible for RHD cars.

[SLOSpider]

Its been too long since I have done one but my new one should be here tomorrow so Ill let you know. Maybe its easier to just remove the pedal then install it...

[Curly]

Its been too long since I have done one but my new one should be here tomorrow so Ill let you know. Maybe its easier to just remove the pedal then install it...

That's the route I took with the last one I installed
Somtimes the fork prongs at the top of the clutch pedal crack or bend, so i've reinforced the fork on both my 124s by welding in some additional gusseting. This unfortunately makes fitting new cables even more difficult, especially if the pedal in still in situ - but at least they are less prone to flexing and cracking.