04-08-2015, 09:43 AM
Hi guys,
I have an '89 Tracker tin top with 260k on it.
I've kept it stock, if you consider it stock with everything being replaced. Clutch, starter, alternator, brakes, water pump, timing belt, shocks, tires, seats, window register, rear door handle, etc.
I've replaced my clutch cable 3 times and had a new clutch installed, but the clutch kept going out of adjustment because the firewall was cracked and flexing where the clutch cable came through it.
I put a steel plate over top it, but it was a temporary fix. It would always go out of adjustment. I took it to 2 mechanics who worked on it and said it was good as new now. Nope. They did a worse patch job than I did.
So I went to my local wrecker who had a couple of picked clean manual trackers. I took my saws-all and cut a good 1 foot x 1 foot piece of firewall with the clutch nuts attached. I took as much of the firewall as I could reach with the saw.
Then went home and trimmed and ground it to fit my firewall. I left as much of the firewall as I could. I then pop riveted and sheet metal screwed the piece to my firewall on the engine side. I also cut the broken pieces out of my old firewall.
It's been 2 years since the fix and I've adjusted my clutch cable once. And I think that was from new stretch. And the firewall feels rock solid.
I hope this fix helps somebody, cause I was close to selling my little blue goat before the fix. Not now.
John
I have an '89 Tracker tin top with 260k on it.
I've kept it stock, if you consider it stock with everything being replaced. Clutch, starter, alternator, brakes, water pump, timing belt, shocks, tires, seats, window register, rear door handle, etc.
I've replaced my clutch cable 3 times and had a new clutch installed, but the clutch kept going out of adjustment because the firewall was cracked and flexing where the clutch cable came through it.
I put a steel plate over top it, but it was a temporary fix. It would always go out of adjustment. I took it to 2 mechanics who worked on it and said it was good as new now. Nope. They did a worse patch job than I did.
So I went to my local wrecker who had a couple of picked clean manual trackers. I took my saws-all and cut a good 1 foot x 1 foot piece of firewall with the clutch nuts attached. I took as much of the firewall as I could reach with the saw.
Then went home and trimmed and ground it to fit my firewall. I left as much of the firewall as I could. I then pop riveted and sheet metal screwed the piece to my firewall on the engine side. I also cut the broken pieces out of my old firewall.
It's been 2 years since the fix and I've adjusted my clutch cable once. And I think that was from new stretch. And the firewall feels rock solid.
I hope this fix helps somebody, cause I was close to selling my little blue goat before the fix. Not now.
John