How do I know if the clutch fork is bad?

[colbystephens]

I'm installing my hydro set up right now, and the clutch fork I have is old and crusty. It doesn't hold the throw out bearing snugly, there's a bit of play once it's sitting in the fork. So, should it be replaced, or...? How do I know?

Thanks.

 

[tRustyK5]

I think the hydro fork is different than the mechanical fork...at least i recall some older threads about that.

Rene

 

[colbystephens]

Yes, you're correct. I have the one that came with the hydro bell housing, etc. It's mostly a difference of overall length and a little bracing difference. I'll get a pic.

However, what I'm curious about is if the bearing is supposed to be snug in the spring/fork, or if a little play is ok. I'm thinking it's supposed to be snug and that looseness is a sign of wear since it's the spring that actually pushes the bearing into the fingers of the clutch.

 

[tRustyK5]

A little play is what I've seen with every one I've done. My impression is that the spring is mostly there for assembly reasons...but I could be wrong.

Rene

 

[colbystephens]

Well, I like the sound of that. Here's a pic of the two. The pretty black one is the mechanical linkage style... in fact, it is your old one. The crusty one is the hydraulic style one. In addition to being a different length, they have a different profile. Since the slave cylinder has no adjustment, it's important that the profile also be correct.

 

[colbystephens]

Also I noticed that the place where the fork attaches to the throw out bearing is not round but there is a couple of flat edges. Is there a special way that this should be oriented?

 

[Fordum]

I have never worked on one of those, but given the trouble of changing it after its installed, I would take a little time to check on price and availability of a new one.

Unless you can change it without pulling the tranny off the engine that is......
In that case, try it and see.

 

[bailey9r]

I think it looks fine , ok ugly but functionally fine. Remember the throwout bearing stays in the same direction moving up and down but the arm moves in an arch.
Hey I just woke from a nap so thats the best I can do for sentence structure

 

[colbystephens]

I think it looks fine , ok ugly but functionally fine. Remember the throwout bearing stays in the same direction moving up and down but the arm moves in an arch.
Hey I just woke from a nap so thats the best I can do for sentence structure

I decided to keep the one i've got for the very reasons you just posted.

 

[sweetk30]

here ya go

shinny new = hydro

rusty old = mech

and dont do 3 finger clucth with hydro or last 2 pic will happen.

 

[colbystephens]

thanks for the post. i need to re-up my membership, so can't see the photos. i don't have a 3 finger clutch, so no problem.

 

[sweetk30]

the hydro fork is bent the other direction than a mech fork.

and glad you dont have 3 finger clutch. the hydro fork hits the plate and makes a severe noise when motor running.

 

[4X4HIGH]

Colby, the "spring" is there to hold the fork to the clutch arm pivot ball and the play you have is fine. When you depress the clutch the clutch fork is actually pushing against the pivot ball and not the spring.

 

[diesel4me]

I beleive new clutch forks are available from Dorman now--saw several pages of them in a friends catalog recently...

 

[bronc3buster842001]

I beleive new clutch forks are available from Dorman now--saw several pages of them in a friends catalog recently...

I bought one for my hydro 465 I had in my blazer. Think it was around 20 bucks. Got it from O-Reilly's.

Both Dorman and Pioneer make them.