Packard Forum Index » Post-War (1946-54)

I was looking in the service manual and saw "clutch pedal free play" being a culprit for a badly slipping clutch. I know Mal told me this adjustment could help with the slipping condition. I took a measurement of the free play a few days ago, and it was less than an inch. Being under, and not over the required 1 1/2" adjustment would be cause for a BADLYslipping clutch, right? If I adjust it to 1 1/2", do you think I will see a big difference?

Thanks as always,

-Garrett

Free play that is less than recommended can cause the clutch to slip.
Adjusting the free play would be worth a try to see if it helps.

Thanks BDeB,

I will try that adjustment this week. I've been putting it off because it has to be done in the dirt and rocks. But, that is the way I used to work before I bought my cement slab. Hope there is still room for adjustment.

-Garrett

If you have too much pedal freeplay you risk that the clutch may not fully disengage before the pedal bottoms out on the floor pan. If you have NO freeplay the clutch will not fully engage when the pedal is at it's full upright position. But so long as you have some freeplay, the clutch should be fully engaged and thus I doubt that just providing a bit more freeplay will solve your problem.

You might check for indication that the rear main seal is allowing oil to leak onto the clutch.

Thanks O_D,

There was probably at most 1/4" to 3/8" of free play. I will check to see if the rear main is leaking oil on the clutch. I think a little was dribbling out when I had ATF in there, but now I have 15w40 in her.


-Garrett