Clutch cable retainer needed

[davekit]

Went for a run in the 480, and we were just saying it was running better, when it all went pear-shaped! Pulled up at a junction, there was a bang and the clutch pedal went to the floor. I thought the cable had broken, so got 'Rescued' home.

Now I've looked at it properly. Good news, the cable is fine; bad news, the white plastic thing that attaches the cable to the pedal has broken in two. Does anyone have a spare or know where I can get one? It would be most appreciated!

The parts book describes it as 'Retainer' no. 3472891-5, but two other parts have the same description and no. - a rubber insert and a metal(?) bush. I assume all three bits usually come as one part. They are on pp 368-9 numbered 9, 6, 8 respectively. Skandix list the part as 'Rubber support' but it is discontinued, and there is nothing on ebay. If nobody has one I will try some breakers, but it may be too much trouble for them for such a small part.

The joys of classic ownership!! Dave.

[jamescarruthers]

Dave! The retained piece is plastic on early cars and a weak point. When you get a replacement, get it from a later car as they are metal. The 440 and 460 have the same part.

[davekit]

Hi James
Thanks for info.

I have yet to locate a replacement, clips and such are not what breakers hang on to. Probably dropped in the mud when removing more valuable parts. Unfortunately, 440/460s are now rarer than 480s, I think! Judging by the parts list, I suspect the metal variety came in about 1992/3 so fairly late on. Oh well, we keep looking.

DOES ANYONE OUT THERE HAVE ONE PLEASE - PLASTIC OR METAL? Car is immobilised till it is fixed.
Dave

[davekit]

Clearly another part to add to the unobtanium list!





I decided to make my own from some 2mm thick steel strip and some 20mm ID steel tube. The strip was probably a bit thicker than needed, but was what I had. The tube was only thin walled (again what I could find), but strong enough. In view of the thin tube, welding would likely blow a hole in it, so a friend brazed the parts together.

Fitting it was a pain in the back, neck, arms, and several other parts, as it was done upside down under the dash. Initially, the part seemed to be slipping off the the rubber insert as the clutch was operated, not what was wanted. I put this down to using silicone rubber lubricant to get it on in the first place, and the two pieces being slightly out of alignment. Back under the dash, I flipped the part over, and tried again. Success! If there was some problem with the alignment, then it now had the effect of forcing it onto the rubber insert.

If anyone else needs to do this, a couple of tips. Initially, I took the pivot bolt out of the pedal box, so I could fit the new piece. This proved to be very difficult to get back in as it pivots the clutch and brake pedals, as well as locating various brackets. When I flipped the part over, I found that by slackening the clutch cable, I could get the part onto the cable and then onto the rubber insert, before taking up the slack in the cable again. It still required double jointed hands, and much swearing, but better than taking out the pivot bolt.

I made a rough drawing of the piece I made from the strip. I was going to attach a photo of it, but could not work out how to do it. I seemed top go up blind alleys all the time! If someone can point me in the right direction, I'll have another go.


Cheers - Dave

[davekit]

Thanks to Jeff for adding some photos!