EF clutch pedal fix and complete hydro conversion
 

Well i am doing a eagle/vitara build for my 90 hatchback and i am also converting the car to a complete hydro tranny set-up. while i was looking at the pedal assembly to figure out how to mount the master cylinder i realized i weak and flexible the clutch pedal seemed, and after doing some research i found the people have actually broken the pedal off at the mount when using a stiffer clutch, so i devised a HMT way to fix the problem.

the problem...
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picked up a 1/2 bolt that was about 5 inches long and cut it down to about the length of the stock mount, and cut the stock one out as close the the weld as possible
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drilled the hole out to 1/2 and welded the bolt in there solid
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the only hard part is making a larger steel bushing for the nut to tighten up against and the pedal to ride on without any side to side play. if you dont have access to a lathe you might be able to find something at the hardware store that would work.

finished up the plate for the master cylinder. i used a 1/4 thick steel plate so im hoping it should be strong enough that it wont bend or break. lemme know what you guys think about this holding up to a pretty stiff clutch.
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Re: EF flexing/breaking clutch pedal fix
 

I have broken 3 pedals its not that uncommon another one was in a car that we snapped it before a race and had to basically to what you did made it to idrc finals that weekend. The problem is the use of cheap vatozone clutch cables that dont allow the cable to snap instead the just add more tension beyond what the stock honda unit does and brakes the pedal assembly.

Re: EF flexing/breaking clutch pedal fix
 

:-X

Re: EF flexing/breaking clutch pedal fix
 

I recall seeing this fix on useless-tech.com (H-T), but I think they used a high-end sholder bolt and also added a 'wing' for the other side of that bolt, taking some extra force.


BTW dumb question - does a NEW clutch CABLE require far less than an old one? My problems with the last 2 EF's I've had is the cable clutch (even stock PP) was harder than my EG's HDSS plate. My thought was to convert to hydro like you show there, but I've been thinking its just the 16 yr old cable...

Re: EF flexing/breaking clutch pedal fix
 

Damn you Dave! I see your not a lover of massive mammories. :6

Re: EF flexing/breaking clutch pedal fix
 

Mb products use to have an actual steel plate set up for the civic/crx that was built for all the big power cars on cable transmisions I have one in my drag car. This is very common. Its seems alot more common on crx's not sure why but since most people use the 92+ chassis due to the superior suspension this kind of stuff will have to do. Just another flaw of the old chassis's. The front suspension is another story

Re: EF flexing/breaking clutch pedal fix
 

do you have any pics of that steel plate set-up? i just finished building the bracket for the master cylinder to convert it from cable to hydro. used a 1/4 thick steel plate, but ill have to post some pics up of it tommorow to see if you guys think it will hold up to the pressure of a clutch that can handle around 350hp

Re: EF flexing/breaking clutch pedal fix
 

Well i work 12 hour days 6 days a week so dont hold your breath for pics

Re: EF flexing/breaking clutch pedal fix
 

That plate is probably what I'm talking about. If so, it would just be an 90* angle that is bolted/welded to the backplane of the assembly (sandwiched between chassis and pedal assembly). It would extend left looking at the 1st pic, then come up on the other side of the pedal and connect on the other side of that bolt. Then the bolt is supported on both sides like a bridge, and most of the forces are transmitted to the plate, rather than into bending the bolt.

Re: EF flexing/breaking clutch pedal fix
 

i had to reweld mine a couple months ago. added some bracing and its still holding up.

if it breaks again a full hydro setup will be in order (good reason to get a GSR trans too)