finally got around to installing the heim joint fix today. went pretty well overall and it really did take an amazing amount of play out of the top end of my pedal's stroke. needs more road testing to see what effect it had (if any) on my shifting.

only part of the directions i wished was more specific was where it said: "shaft must be sawed off FLUSH to the eye (THIS IS IMPORTANT)"

i used a dremel tool with a cut-off wheel to chop old eye off shaft where the roundness of eye met with shaft. at that point the shaft is not totally round, so i used a grinder to make the oval shaped shaft end more round. the new joint slipped right on. i think i left the shaft longer than i may have needed to, but i figure i could always grind more off later easier than i can add it back. and the longer the shaft, the higher in the stoke the clutch engages right?

other thing is that you may want to mark the swing arm in relation to something so that you get the splined fitting back in the right spot.

took me about two hours in all, but i was being rediculously careful (this is my daily driver!).

anyone else have thoughts on this particular fix? things that might make it easier for the next guy/gal that searches this topic?

search ebay for "FORD Clutch Rod End PERMANENT Repair"

 

i did this fix a couple of days ago. i also cut the shaft long. press the clutch in and look at the neutral start switch. mine was mashing the heck out of it before i readjusted it. other than that , real good fix. had to learn where the clutch engages again. quite a bit higher.easier to get into reverse and second gear.

 

I did an E-bay search for FORD Clutch Rod End PERMANENT Repair, no hits.

Anyone have any pics so I know what I am getting into??

 

weird. i looked at it on ebay just yesterday, but today i've looked every which way and can't find it either. yesterday i saw seller had 5 in stock- i'll check on home computer this evening. there is a picture on site (when we can find it!). i am betting they sold out, so listing is gone for the time being.

 

Go here and send him an email.
POWERSTROKEHELP.COM - The Information Source for Ford Power Stroke Diesel Owners

 

Thanks Cuda jim Video is very helpful. Everything is much clearer now. I have seen these on E-Bay but I don't think one is listed today. I will watch for them.

 

i did it on my truck and was very happy with the results. the splines are a pain in the *** to get seperated but enough prying and wiggling it eventualy comes off, on re installing it i used a little trial and eror so i have very very little cluch freeplay, my truck shifted like a new truck again after driving it for a couple monthes with bushings that were reduced to almost nothing

 

I just did this fix today and I cant believe how much of a difference it made! I should of done it a long time ago.

 

eBay Motors: FORD Clutch Rod End PERMANENT Repair powerstroke too. (item 260342617214 end time Jan-12-09 13:16:34 PST)

Bill

 

how far from the top of pedal stroke do you guys like to have your clutch start to engage?

 

Eric, did you ever look into the pedal box bushings? When I got my truck I had some problems with shifting and it turned out the bushings were worn through. Replacing them helped.

 

Part# 10 in the 92 to 96 section. LMC Truck Parts - Page 45

 

thanks for the idea and link! i'll check it out.

looks like a pretty easy in/out repair- how'd yours go?

 

It always seems to me like this repair would be so simple if you just pull the master cylinder out from the firewall, cut it and stick it back in.

I'm not quite sure what "spline" you guys are talking about though.

Well, from the video initial picture, I see your guys's rod is a bit diff then mine. I wanna say mine is plastic. WTH.
I'm not sure if the one I had replaced was stock or not either though. The eye broke in half, glad it was right next to the tranny shop, i just had him drag my truck over there. haha. He replaced the whole thing, which is fine, with an autozone model i would immagine. I always wanted to do this mod. Mine doesnt' push in far enough unless i double clutch her. I think my slave has a small leak, or there is air in the line *shrugs* I've bled it few times too. =\ SO hard on mazda 5 speed, lucky buggers with slave outside.

 

Hmm, wow, that video is great. I was never sure how it actually went on.

Seems like you could just unscrew the adjustment on the cylinder though, cause the one he had out of the truck looked like a threaded rod with the end threaded on.

Yea, make sure its square when you do it, or you put unnecessary pressure on the shaft.

I wonder why my plunger rod is different then the ones he's showing though. Hmm....