Clutch cable installation

Can you explain in greater detail where the problem is?

When I installed a new cable on mine (a 73 GT #05898) I had to put spacing washers at the front end - see below. From what I have read these are almost always needed. My cable was from Superformance.
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When I bought my car a new clutch cable had already been installed. It had been shimmed at the pedal end - similar to that shown in the picture. There was only enough threads left to allow the nut to be fully engaged. The clutch still did not fully release and I added an additional, 3mm, U shaped shim under the bracket at the other end. That eliminated the dragging clutch and allowed me to properly set the “bell crank” at the clutch. It works just fine now.

Getting the spring in place at the pedal end – now that’s another story…

 

The helper spring to which you refer is at the clutch end of the cable. I have read comments about people just using their body weight to press it down and into place. I had my wife sit in the driver's seat and push the clutch pedal in. That brought the "bell crank" to its lowest position and puts it in a position applying the least tension on the spring. I didn't have to use much force to move the spring into place.

If you’re talking about the return spring at the pedal end of the cable – I think fitting it is a chronic problem. I was never able to get it connected properly. I used a couple of “zip ties” through the hole where the spring would normally go and then around the end of the spring. I pulled the spring as tight to its normal location as possible. Apparently, the replacement springs have a bit more strength than originals. Since the clutch had worked without the return spring - losing a bit of tension didn't seem to make much difference.

 

did mine a month ago. needed a shim at the clutch end - mine is RHD. To put the helper spring back on I have a long hook fabricated from a piece of old 10mm pipe - its dead easy to pull it down from underneath
Nick

 

Based on pedal play. There wasn't enough adjustment without the washers.

 

Was your cable from Superformance? Maybe they have the cable lengths slightly off on the ones they sell because it seems everyone needs these spacers when they fit a replacement cable. I didn't spend ages working out what size washers were needed. I put in two washers and it was better but still not right, I put in three and it was fine so I left it at three and made the final adjustment via the adjusting nuts.

 

Glad to hear it is sorted out