hole in release fork, help pls

[jzilla]

Hey guys,
So about 10 minutes ago, the rod on my clutch slave pushed a hole through the release fork!
Funny thing is about a month or so ago I read someone did a temporary fix with a teaspoon (I still need to get home still).
Wasn't planning on fixing it that way, but maybe I should do that as a temporary fix?
Anyway, what is the best way to tackle this? Get a new release fork? Can it be welded up? or is it cast?
The whole tranny has to be dropped to replace this correct? Can I just leave the bellhousing on and take the tranny and transfer off?
I did a quick search on this but didn't have time to do a more thorough one.
thanks everyone!
81 BJ60

 

[inkpot]

Hey guys,
So about 10 minutes ago, the rod on my clutch slave pushed a hole through the release fork!
Funny thing is about a month or so ago I read someone did a temporary fix with a teaspoon (I still need to get home still).
Wasn't planning on fixing it that way, but maybe I should do that as a temporary fix?
Anyway, what is the best way to tackle this? Get a new release fork? Can it be welded up? or is it cast?
The whole tranny has to be dropped to replace this correct? Can I just leave the bellhousing on and take the tranny and transfer off?
I did a quick search on this but didn't have time to do a more thorough one.
thanks everyone!
81 BJ60

Howdy! A quick fix is a very long bolt or piece of all-thread. Grind down one end to a tip like the original one. Use double nuts and a couple of flat washers agains the bad throw out arm. Adjust to where you like it, and then jamb the second nut against the first to secure it. I made my permanent rod like this. John

 

[jzilla]

Hey there,
I think I get what you mean. So you mean replace the original threaded rod with another and put the washers (secured with nuts) at the end of the release fork so that it they will prevent it from pushing through?
thanks

 

[inkpot]

Hey there,
I think I get what you mean. So you mean replace the original threaded rod with another and put the washers (secured with nuts) at the end of the release fork so that it they will prevent it from pushing through?
thanks

Howdy! As I remember, most OEM adjuster nuts are a domed nut. The rod cannot pass thru the nut. So to be able to adjust it to a good working position, the longer rod will pass thru the new hole, and the washers on the nut will be the new fulcrum point. I actually used lug nuts for my wheels as they have a nice tapper on them. John

 

[Rig of Mortis]

Here, I answered this a little while back in another thread...

IH8MUD Forums - View Single Post - Turbo Position

 

[whats the deal]

I came across the same problem with my 81 BJ42. Could you plug the hole with a grade 8 bolt and nut on the backside and then drill a crater in the top of the bolt head to secure the push rod? Perhaps weld a bead in the hole and drill a bit of a crater in the weld itself to match the stock clutch fork? Is the release fork cast or pressed steel?

 

[whats the deal]

Pictures

Pictures of the push rod through the clutch relase fork.

 

[Kynot62]

John

Mine did the same thing. All I did was to drill a hole in an acorn nut that the existing rod would go through. The nut acts like a spacer and the round part of the acorn is now the pivot for the clutch fork. Added another pair of nuts for better adjustability.

At worst you have to remove the slave cylinder to slip the acorn nut with the hole over the rod.

I will post a pic if this doesn't make sense, let me know

Tony

 

[whats the deal]

Pictures would help.

Thanks!

 

[Kynot62]

This should pretty much explain the fix. That is a stock length rod that came with my new clutch slave.

The two jam nuts next to the boot came with it. I added the two by the acorn nut and washers. The acorn nut just has a clearance hole drilled through it that allows the rod to pass through it (it's not threaded just a slip fit over the rod).

The round part of the acorn nut is now the pivot/bearing surface for the rod. And if I remember correctly there is about 3/8 of an inch of the rod going into the clutch fork (9mm for my friends north of the border).

Simple fix.

Tony

 

[whats the deal]

That's perfect! Thanks for the picture.

 

[jzilla]

Thanks for the reply to my old post Tony! I fixed it a different way that requires more work and a welder, I like your way better!