New Purchase, Various issues (Clutch, Steering, differential, etc.)

Cobra262

New Member
Joined
Mar 30, 2020
Messages
7
Location
Silicon Valley
I guess I made a big blunder in purchasing the 1998 SVT without pre-purchase inspection. It is a 5 speed manual with 105K miles. It is now obvious that I did not check it out fully. I was buying the car for my 17 year old son as his high school graduation present. It is a nice looking white convertible and my son was so excited to see the car that I let my emotions overcome my rationale thinking.

I took the car to my trusted mechanic and he found the following problems:

1. The clutch needs replacement.

2. The rack & pinion is leaking

3. Needs subframe mount bushings replaced

4. Excessive play in the rear differential.

This is not the best time for me financially so I cannot afford to splurge. So he suggested that I take care of the clutch and rack & pinion and I can wait to do the subframe and differential later.

My question to this forum is the following.

The clutch is very hard and it is difficult to put in reverse. So I do need to replace it. Is there a big benefit of upgrading to premium clutch over the stock? What is the advantage? My son will not be racing or anything like that so I am inclined to go with the least expensive option. Should the flywheel also be replaced? What should be reasonable labor cost ($$ and hours) for replacing the clutch?

Also what is the reasonable labor cost ($$ and hours) for replacing the rack & pinion. My mechanic said that when replacing R&P I should also replace the tie rod ends and alignment.

Thanks for your expert advice.
 

ashleyroachclip

Well-Known Member
Established Member
Joined
Jan 25, 2007
Messages
2,189
Location
Oregon
Don't know of what sub frame bushings he is talking about .
These cars have a front cradle , called a k member because of its shape ,it bolts solid to the body of the car .
Personally, I can change the rack in maybe 3 hours , clutch in about 5 or 6.
Flywheel can usually be resurfaced .
Buy a stock Valeo clutch , with throw out bearing , pressure plate , and pilot bearing .
The hard clutch , can also be a worn cable .
 
Last edited:

Cobra262

New Member
Joined
Mar 30, 2020
Messages
7
Location
Silicon Valley
Ashley, thank you for your quick response. The bushings he showed me were at the rear installed vertically on the vertical arms on both sides near the rear shocks. They were worn out.
 

mvk13

oooohhhhh Shiny!
Established Member
Joined
Jun 18, 2010
Messages
101
Location
Phoenix, AZ
Control arm bushings I think. If they are the stock stamped steel control arms I would replace the control arms upper and lower with aftermarket arms with poly bushings and help tame a little of the binding back there. Your labor will probably be less. I can do it in an hour or two max on a lift for all 4 arms, if that helps frame the labor costs...it would take longer on labor to R&R the bushings in the arms, so you might pay a little more for parts it will balance out in labor I would think and you will have a better handling car.
 

DaveWertz

Active Member
Established Member
Joined
Mar 24, 2019
Messages
421
Location
Hughesville Pa
I just did the rear diff myself. Mine was making crazy noise when coasting lets say into a parking lot. I replaced the clutch packs with carbon fiber clutches and made a world of difference
 

jgt58

Active Member
Established Member
Joined
Jan 4, 2008
Messages
797
Location
Knoxville , TN
Whatever you do clutch wise , get a Ford racing throw out bearing and pilot bearing

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
 

P49Y-CY

fomocomofo
Established Member
Joined
Jun 21, 2003
Messages
11,218
Location
southwest
The clutch is very hard and it is difficult to put in reverse. So I do need to replace it.

Just because it is difficult to get into gear does not automatically mean the clutch is bad. In my experience that's more of a symptom of the cable's adjustment. An easy way to tell is to turn the key on without starting the car, and then try to put it into reverse. If it goes in easily, then the cable probably needs to be adjusted/tightened.

But perhaps your trusted mechanic says you need a clutch for other reasons. For example, perhaps he took it out on the highway, tested it by doing a wot in fourth gear and the clutch is slipping.

Best of luck with it -
 

Cobra262

New Member
Joined
Mar 30, 2020
Messages
7
Location
Silicon Valley
The mechanic did not drive the car on the highway. He drove it from the lot to the lift. And then he showed me the metal sticking out from a small hole under the transmission. I am going to take second opinion
 

shurur

Well-Known Member
Established Member
Joined
Jan 2, 2011
Messages
3,760
Location
Lutz, FL
For example, perhaps he took it out on the highway, tested it by doing a wot in fourth gear and the clutch is slipping.

Best of luck with it -

I had this happening on mine and didn't know what it was until the clutch totally stopped working at a light.
Very few folks mention this test for the clutch.

888888888888
Not to be doom and gloom, but wasn't there an issue with the clutch forks on our T45 and it affecting getting into reverse.

I have found, and others have said nay, that holding the clutch in and counting a seven count before trying to go in reverse seems to work in getting it in reverse.

8888888888
Also make sure the rack is actually leaking and not just around the hose connections. The rubber rings and teflon washers can be replaced.
8888888

Mine had a bad clutch TOB and Diffy bearings when I bought her. I just didn't care. I wanted her. Don't feel bad. It can be a great learning experience for your son.
 
Last edited:

Cobra262

New Member
Joined
Mar 30, 2020
Messages
7
Location
Silicon Valley
Thanks for your reply. Given the issues with the car, I don't have the heart to do a WOT shift. However, after pressing and releasing the clutch multiple times, we can get it in reverse. I tried turning on the ignition without starting the car as the previous member had suggested, that did not work.

The rack is leaking pretty bad around the driver side boot.

I have got quotes from few shops. Clutch job with stock clutch $750 - $1050
Rack: $500 - $600. Parts and labor
 

Users who are viewing this thread



Top