Fittng Clutch Cable Ford Escort

Answer 1

Pre 1997/9 models of Ford Vehicles were self-adjusting via the clutch-foot-pedal. The pedal engages a ratchet system called the QUADRANT & PAWL and is part of the pedal. The mechanism is very similar on older Ford models of: Escort, Fiesta, Sierra, Granada, Transit & others. Newer vehicles may have a Hydraulic Clutch from 1997/9 onwards, and these work differently from the cable & pully mechanism. Clutch-fluid can be bled to improve the ability to operate the clutch, however this is not necessarily a method of adjusting the clutch.

If when pressing the foot-pedal it feels like cable is broken, or pedal is loose, ...This is symptomatic of failure of the QUADRANT & PAWL 'ratchet' mechanism due to wear of teeth on the ratchet.

In some cases the pedal fails to pull the clutch out far enough to change gear, and may make a 'springing noise'. This is due to slippage on some worn ratchet-teeth, but the mechanism has not reached full failure.

There are 2 ways to remedy the fault.

1. Change the Quadrant & Pawl, using only genuine Ford parts. #Beware of inferior mouldings that are not up to standard e.g. too soft, and do not trust 'pattern-parts' on eBay etc.

2. SHORTEN THE CABLE.

• Disconnect SPRING ON THE FOOT-PEDAL to release ratchet mechanism.
• Clamp cable slack (engine end).

To change the cable:

Disconnect from gearbox end, then unhook from the clutch pedal. Pull the cable through (Engine bay side) then fitting new one is just everything you have done in reverse. You will have to manually release the ratchet pawl (behind the pedal) or you will never get the new cable to fit.