in cab pedals loose

[1972hiboy]

Hey guys, Ive got one for you. in my 72 the clutch and brake pedal were loose since I bought the pickup last year. Immedietly I thought " oh those pesky plastic pedal bushings" so last night being bored I pulled the clutch and brake pedal out to find the plastic bushing where fine but the aluminum(?) bushing type thing that the plastic pedal bushings go into are whats loose inside the pedal support structure.I was unable to remove these and I checked with LMC and of course dont offer these for sale. Anyone else out there encountered this problem before? What was the fix can you even replaced these? Any input would be most helpful,Thanks

Rich from Santa Cruz CA,

[BobbyFord]

There's a kit from Mustang Steve ( http://www.mustangsteve.com/clutchbearings.html ) that was designed for Mustangs but it will work on these trucks too.
Check this, too http://www.fordmuscleforums.com/transmi ... pport.html

[70_F100]

I've got a pedal support bracket that has good bushings in it.

Send me a PM if you're interested.

[cajuncannon03]

Obsolete Ford Parts has those bushings also.

[1972hiboy]

OK so there made of pot metal? thats interesting. I did check out that link to the mustang place thats a good resource. So for the most part the pot metal bushing is servicible or it IS made to remove and replace due to wear and tear? Thanks so much for the replies.

Rich

[cajuncannon03]

I don't think they are made to replace. Mine were "destroyed" by the dipping and e-coating process. When I got it back, I was scrambling to find bushings until I called Kevin @ Obsolete.

[70_F100]

OK so there made of pot metal? thats interesting. I did check out that link to the mustang place thats a good resource. So for the most part the pot metal bushing is servicible or it IS made to remove and replace due to wear and tear? Thanks so much for the replies.

Rich

They are not replaceable.

The only way to service them is to use the bearing fix that has to be welded in.

[1972hiboy]

So alot of great information! Im now installing the pedals and a different support bracket, now I knew taking this apart that the clutch return spring was going to be difficult to re-install but I was not prepared for what I struggled with for 5 hours last night. Soemone out there has done this before. Is there a "special" tool or "trick" to getting this spring back on there? Its about that size of a garage door spring. Of course in the manual it says something to the effect of " install clutch pedal and spring" ok thats great how to become a millionare and not pay taxes well " first get a million dallors....." Any input would be great thanks!


RIch

[70_F100]

I hope you didn't install the support before you put that spring on, because it's pretty much impossible to do with the support in the truck!!

I helped someone else out with this very thing just a short time back. I think you'll find the information here: http://www.fordification.com/forum/view ... =4&t=52939

[1972hiboy]

You know I had thoguht about putting that spring on before I installed the bracket support. But I honestly thought having the pedals hanging off that thing was going to make it impossible to put up underneath there. so Yes I did put it in there without the spring. Spent 5 hours pulling on that spring last night and did get very close in fact I almost had it. I got it to hook but it wasnt all the way seated in of course I bumped it before I could knock it in and it took off thats when I called it a night. So the approved method of doing this is to mount the clutch and brake pedal to the support bracket so you can hang the spring on there and then put the whole dang thing up under there?

[1972hiboy]

oops I meant hanging the pedals ON there.....

[70_F100]

Yep, that's the best way!! (And about the only way!!)

Of course, you've got to have the steering column out, but you've probably already done that.

You could also just leave the big spring off, and rely on the spring at the release lever to pull everything back up.

[1972hiboy]

This is true. Last night I had the column laying as far down as it would go ( resting on seat) and had the master cylinder all the way out. I even pulled my dash out to make it easier in general to gain access to upper area of the bracket. I started to make a puller last night but I was pretty sure the neighbors could see the light from my welder at 11:30 at night and I didnt want to disturb anyone so I shut it down. Im most likely going to finish my puller idea if that fails I'll just bite the bullet and do the time remove install everything and re-install. as far as leaving it off. it is a idea but I would have trouble sleeping at night because it wasnt "right". I'll get it back on there one way or another. This is my first time doing this particular job so its trail and error for me this time around. however armed with knowledge i've gotten from everyone on here it certainly helps ....alot so thank you! I was almost half thinking once I had mentioned this somebody was going to jump and say "oh theres a special tool for that!" haha

Rich

[1972hiboy]

UPDATE; ok so last night I went home and finished my puller (took about ten minutes to make a very crude pulling machine)
Once positions and anchored onto my steering column it took all but 2 minutes to pull and set that spring up on there where it needed to be. so luckily I dodged the big bullet in having to remove everything and re-install. ive attached a picture I took of the device in the truck pulling on the spring. its not a good pic ( its was dark and its only a cell phone) but you can make out the altered vise grip used thats attached to the steering column and the brackets coming off of it. not the pedals are in with new plastic bushings and greased BIG improvement in drivability! also attached is a picture of the pictup in the daytime just for fun.