normal clutch wear and pedal free play
 

Does normal clutch wear reduce pedal "free play" or increase it? The clutch is mechanical (not hydraulic) as found on a 1957 190 sedan.

Jeff

Wear doens't affect free play with hydraulic actuation as is the case with a cable or mechanical linkage actuation. Wear is compensated by displacement of fluid - the same as in disk brake systems.

Duke

I should have specified it was on a mechanical clutch as found in the 1957 190 sedan, not a hydraulic clutch. I just edited and corrected my original message. Is pedal free play increased or decreased with normal wear on a mechanical clutch?

Jeff

It depends on the design of the linkage, and I have no idea of the design on your car, but I cannot remember a mechanical linkage or cable operated clutch on a car I ever owner that was other than clutch wear reduced freeplay.

Consider that as the disk wears the pressure plate surface will migrate toward the flywheel and the diaphragm fingers (or three release levers on an old Borg and Beck) will migrate toward the rear, which will usually reduce freeplay.

Duke

That description makes sense. Thanks. Now I know which way to turn the adjustment screw. I want to try and adjust for more free play as the disk wears.

Jeff

Uhhh, as I remember my Chevrolets, it was the opposite. Play increased with wear and you compensated by increasing the length of one of the rods in the linkage to reduce the free play.