What should I do about this worn clutch linkage rod?

[robroy]

Hello Folks!

Today I removed the clutch and brake assembly from under the dash, including the clutch rod that goes through the floor to the outside. It looks like the ends of this clutch rod are badly worn on my truck, and I'm guessing that the wear will cause sloppiness in the clutch pedal action.

Here's an overall photo of the clutch linkage rod I'm talking about:



And here are a few different views of what I found at the ends:





Surprisingly (to me), the plastic bushing seemed quite intact; it seems tougher than the metal!



What should I do about this linkage rod? Should I try to hire a machine shop to build it up back to its original dimensions? Or is there a known source for these new?

Thanks very much folks!
-Robroy

[FORDification]

Looks like the bushing wore out at some point and started wearing away the shaft, and then the previous owner just replaced the bushing without also repairing the rod.

You could take it to a welding shop and have them build it back up, but there are jillions of bumpside and dentside trucks with manual transmissions in the junkyard, and I'd be willing to bet you could replace that rod for no more than a couple bucks.

[robroy]

Looks like the bushing wore out at some point and started wearing away the shaft, and then the previous owner just replaced the bushing without also repairing the rod.

This theory makes a lot more sense than mine about plastic being harder than metal. Thank you Keith.

Also, the person who replaced this bushing without repairing the rod was probably named Robroy, and he was probably about 17 years old. I can't be sure, but I have vague, dream like memories of doing this! But my brain wasn't connecting the dots.

You could take it to a welding shop and have them build it back up, but there are jillions of bumpside and dentside trucks with manual transmissions in the junkyard, and I'd be willing to bet you could replace that rod for no more than a couple bucks.

Okay, thanks for the great advice! I'd figured that most old clutch rods would be worn in this way, but perhaps not if the owner replaced the bushing regularly (or if the truck had low miles).

And now that you mention it, I realize that I have a 1967 F100 parts truck sitting about 100' away from my project! It had a 3-on-the-tree so I'll check out the condition of its rod.

Thanks for your great advice Keith.

-Robroy

[robroy]

Hey, great news; check out what I found in the NPD catalog today:



It would seem that my problem is solved! Hopefully it's the real deal.

Thanks!
-Robroy

[Jake11]

Easy, show it to the wife.She will see it's obviously FO'd. She'll make you get a new one, or make you get rid of
the truck. Don't panic, theres work arounds. Jake

[robroy]

Hi Jake! Good thinking. -Robroy