Heavy OEM Clutch pedal - Common on 03/04?

SLOWBRA

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How heavy should the 03/04 OEM clutch pedal be? Should it take considerably more effort than a 95/00/01 Cobra?

I realize the "weight" of the clutch pedal it's a subjective topic to some extent, and I've read countless posts on here about it dating back to when these cars first came out.

Having owned a number of Cobras/Mustangs over the years I realize they are not all the same. When I first got my 04 I figured it was the nature of the beast. However, now that I own three at the same time I find the 04 clutch to be a royal pain. For example, the pedal feel on the 00R and 95R is about 1/8th of the effort of the 04 - that's significant and makes it challenging for my wife to want to drive it. I don't get why it would be that heavy. It's got a fairly new OEM clutch cable, firewall adjuster and quadrant.

In my "old" age I am about ready to replace a perfectly OK/low mileage terminator clutch for something else because I'd prefer something lighter.

A friend thinks it could be possible the pivot ball is the culprit since the car doesn't get driven much. Another thought perhaps it's the TOB/sleeve. All I can say the clutch has been the same from 11K miles to 25K miles over the past 13yrs. I also stumbled on a post that suggested ford did make a change to the pressure plate after people complained about the heavy clutch (but I only found one reference to it). My thought is if I'm removing the transmission to inspect these issues a new clutch is going in.... However, before I get that extreme I'd be interested to hear from others.
 
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CJW04Redfire

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03-04 cobras have a real stiff clutchs with a long ass throw that grabs all the way down low.The oem clutch cables are apparently to balme for some of the stiffness.

I am not sure what I am running on mine but, its still pretty damn stiff and really damn long.

From what I seen its a bit different from car to car. Some say changing the adjustment on the clutch cable helped out with the stiffness.
Others say that you got rip it out and go twin disc to get it less stiff.

If you're running a stock clutch I would replace the cable with an aftermarket one first see if that helps.
Single disc centerforce and mantic clutches are pretty damn expensive but, are the way to go if you want a nice soft feel that can hold good power. Idk what they are rated for atm
If you want to hold 600+ torque go with the Twin disc setup.
How heavy should the 03/04 OEM clutch pedal be? Should it take considerably more effort than a 95/00/01 Cobra?

I realize the "weight" of the clutch pedal it's a subjective topic to some extent, and I've read countless posts on here about it dating back to when these cars first came out.

Having owned a number of Cobras/Mustangs over the years I realize they are not all the same. When I first got my 04 I figured it was the nature of the beast. However, now that I own three at the same time I find the 04 clutch to be a royal pain. For example, the pedal feel on the 00R and 95R is about 1/8th of the effort of the 04 - that's significant and makes it challenging for my wife to want to drive it. I don't get why it would be that heavy. It's got a fairly new OEM clutch cable, firewall adjuster and quadrant.

In my "old" age I am about ready to replace a perfectly OK/low mileage terminator clutch for something else because I'd prefer something lighter (essentially for all of the car to be somewhat the same feel).

A friend thought that it could be possible the pivot ball was the culprit since the car doesn't get driven much. Another thought perhaps it's the TOB/sleeve. I also stumbled on a post that suggested ford did make a change to the pressure plate after people complained about the heavy clutch (but I only found one reference to it). My thought is if I'm removing the transmission a new clutch is going in. But before I get that extreme I'd be interested to hear from others.

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SLOWBRA

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I'll also add my dad quit driving the Terminator becuase the clutch was getting TOO heavy . Switched to the M3 witha clutch so light my pinky toe could push it in lol

My 95R/00R are both feathers. They literally feel like a 4cyl /hydraulic clutch. Interesting comment about the possibility the terminator specific cable being the culprit... I may have to play with that idea.
 

TerminatoRS

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My OEM was heavy as hell. I've driven a few 03-04's and they've all been on the beefy side. Even snapped the clutch cable once. As far as cable replacement, I've seen people recommend OEM over aftermarket quite often so do your homework if you choose to give that a shot. Currently on a Spec 3+ with lighter pedal option. Definitely easier than OEM, but still carry a spare cable with in the trunk.
 

CJW04Redfire

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Ahh yes I am sorry stay OEM just get new! The aftermarket ones do get complaints.
My OEM was heavy as hell. I've driven a few 03-04's and they've all been on the beefy side. Even snapped the clutch cable once. As far as cable replacement, I've seen people recommend OEM over aftermarket quite often so do your homework if you choose to give that a shot. Currently on a Spec 3+ with lighter pedal option. Definitely easier than OEM, but still carry a spare cable with in the trunk.

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SLOWBRA

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My OEM was heavy as hell. I've driven a few 03-04's and they've all been on the beefy side. Even snapped the clutch cable once. As far as cable replacement, I've seen people recommend OEM over aftermarket quite often so do your homework if you choose to give that a shot. Currently on a Spec 3+ with lighter pedal option. Definitely easier than OEM, but still carry a spare cable with in the trunk.

I snapped my first oem cable after ~10K miles. I too have a few spares, but I don't think the clutch needs to be as heavy as it is.
 

TerminatoRS

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Yeah...as I recall, it was a bastard. Had my doubts that my gf (5'2" 125lbs) could even push it to the floor. lol
 

c6zhombre

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I daily'd an 04 vert with factory clutch for about 30k miles.....its "effort level" was extremely heavy. I sold that car in 2011 and got this coupe with an RXT twin.....like night and day difference in effort level. Very similar to the hydraulic clutches in my c5z and c6z. That RXT has worked flawlessly for near ten years now and shows no sign of not grabbing (700 wheel that entire time). It engages take off/low speed seamlessly, no on/off at all, have loved driving it.
 

SLOWBRA

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I daily'd an 04 vert with factory clutch for about 30k miles.....its "effort level" was extremely heavy. I sold that car in 2011 and got this coupe with an RXT twin.....like night and day difference in effort level. Very similar to the hydraulic clutches in my c5z and c6z. That RXT has worked flawlessly for near ten years now and shows no sign of not grabbing (700 wheel that entire time). It engages take off/low speed seamlessly, no on/off at all, have loved driving it.

This is the one I'll get if I decide the change my clutch.
 

TerminatoRS

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I'll definitely be looking at a setup like that if/when my Spec 3+ poops out. Overall not terrible, but she certainly gets a little choppy feathering first/reverse once there's some heat in her. I've come close to killing it a few times due to lack of paying closer attention. Otherwise it'll chatter a bit and bark the tires on full engagement.
 

Rich'sTRsvt

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I have seen people on here saying you need to lube up the cable, even brand new ones, and that helps considerably. My factory cable with spec clutch is pretty soft, but chattery like mentioned above.
 

ccq8le

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Yes it's very heavy OEM, and like others said unless you push it all the way down you can't get it into gear.

When I replaced OEM and went to my second clutch I was shocked right away just how much easier it was to push, but I still do have to push the pedal down completely to release and go into gear.

It's heavy heavy OEM

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SLOWBRA

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01yellercobra

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I had good luck using silicone spray on my cable. But it might be worth looking into cable lube for motorcycles.
 

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