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Questions On Redesigned / Upgraded Clutch Linkage

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by maurywhurt, Jan 26, 2019.

  1. Feb 4, 2019
    maurywhurt

    maurywhurt Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Western North...
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    Dec 12, 2009
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    Well, I figured out the reason for the problem with my clutch fork boot....

    I bought the first boot, shown at left below, online awhile back from one of the major vintage Jeep parts suppliers (though I don’t remember which). But it just seemed too big to work properly, as it interfered with both the clutch cable and the newly installed return spring.

    The other day I noticed a similar clutch fork boot on Amazon intended for mid 60's through early 70's GM vehicles that I thought might fit, since the CJ5 V6 bell housing is a GM design. It appeared to have the same size base as the first boot, but with a smaller wedge-shaped surround for the fork, so I ordered it. It is pictured at right below.

    As you can see, the difference between these two boots is substantial. The wedge-shaped portion on the second boot is not only smaller in comparison to the base, but is also a good bit narrower / shorter (about 3/8" to 1/2" shorter than on the first one).

    [​IMG]


    The second, smaller boot seems to fit and work well with the upgraded clutch linkage setup. I should note that when the clutch pedal is fully depressed and the fork is pulled all the way back, it does stretch the wedge-shaped portion toward the rear slightly, though not enough to cause the boot to detach from the bell housing. Here's a photo of it without the pedal depressed:

    [​IMG]


    As close as the cable and spring are to the smaller boot, it's obvious why the larger one didn't work well.

    If my memory serves correctly (which is admittedly getting a bit more doubtful these days!) I believe I paid more for the larger boot than I did for the smaller one, which is sold by Inline Tube through Amazon. Here's a link:

    Amazon.com: (I-11-7) Inline Tube 4 Speed Rubber Bell Housing Clutch Fork Boot Compatible with 1964-72 GM Vehicles: Automotive

    Here's a photo of an OEM clutch fork boot for comparison:

    [​IMG]


    ....and a rough comparison of the OEM boot (at left) to the Inline Tube boot (on the right):

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Oct 11, 2023
    Scott Bruns, Hellion and CJMark like this.
  2. Feb 4, 2019
    Bowbender

    Bowbender I'm workin' on it!

    Northern Minn.
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    Nov 14, 2014
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    561
    Mine must be like your second one, I can't remember where I got it either. :confused:
     
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  3. Feb 27, 2020
    Rick Whitson

    Rick Whitson Detroit Area 2024 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    I live South of...
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    Dec 2, 2014
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    Maury, I have one for a V 6 you can have. I bought two of them, used one for my single stick TC on the floor of my Jeep. It is NOS, the rubber is :poo:, fell apart in a year, but you can have it. I don't remember where I got it, seems like I say that a lot, but it's yours if you want it. Rick

    [​IMG]
     
  4. Feb 27, 2020
    maurywhurt

    maurywhurt Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Western North...
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    Hi Rick, thank you very much for the offer, but having found a boot that works well for my setup (the Inline Tube version sold through Amazon noted above), I think I"ll just stick with that one. I really appreciate it though! :beer: Hopefully someone else can use it....

    Maury
     
  5. Apr 27, 2023
    Chris Gullett

    Chris Gullett New Member

    Cincinnati, Ohio
    Joined:
    May 30, 2019
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    10
    Maybe one of you all can help me out, I'm missing the clip for the return spring and I'm just going to make one out of spare metal laying around but I want it to be as close to original as possible on sizing. With that being said can someone provide me with the length and width of the clip?
     
  6. Apr 27, 2023
    maurywhurt

    maurywhurt Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Western North...
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    873
    I made the return spring clip you can see in the photo a few posts above, but I didn't have an original to measure from, so I just made one that worked. It's about 1" x 2" x 1/8".
     
  7. Apr 27, 2023
    jeepstar

    jeepstar Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Sheboygan
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    2,754
    I just used a short section from an old beer opener

    Resized_20221219_171009(1).jpeg
     
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  8. Apr 27, 2023
    duffer

    duffer Rodent Power

    Bozeman, MT
    Joined:
    Sep 17, 2009
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    4,460
    For longevity, I would try to get the anchor for the return spring horizontal. If it is at an angle like shown, you are constantly applying lateral force to both the throwout bearing and the transmission bearing retainer it slides on. You also accelerate wear on the pivot ball.
     
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  9. Apr 27, 2023
    maurywhurt

    maurywhurt Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Western North...
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    Probably a very good idea, thanks - I'll rotate my bracket and change the spring to a shorter one, if necessary.
     
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