Clutch linkage Heim joints

1941 - 1945, MB, GPW modifications, sugestions, and ideas, official MWO's and unofficial WWII field mods NO EBAY or COMMERCIAL SALES.
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tamnalan
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Clutch linkage Heim joints

Post by tamnalan » Sat Feb 11, 2017 5:23 pm

Here's an old idea with new parts. McMaster Carr sells everything we need to convert our three clutch linkage pivot points to Heim joints. For reference, use TM 10-1513, Section 0200, Figure 2. I'm going to modify part number 11: A-5102 "Clutch Control Lever Cable" and part number 35: A-499 "Clutch Control Pedal Rod".

Control Pedal Rod: I had made the rod that was already in my MB from 5/16" round stock. For some reason it needed to be only 8 3/8" center-to-center. I think the factory dimension is 9" center-to-center. Regardless, you'll want to measure what this dimension should be for your jeep. I got the following McMaster Carr parts:
- Three of Item 6072K165, "Self-Lube" Bronze Race Ball Joint Rod End, 5/16" -24 RH Female Shank ($5.76 each)
- Three pairs of item 4737T3, "Seals for Ball Joint Rod End 5/16 ID" ($5.62 per pair)
- One of item 6516K119, "Right-Hand Threaded Connecting Rod 9" Overall Length, 5/16:-24 Threaded Male Ends" ($8.25)

I had to trim enough from each end of the 9" threaded rod to create something with a ball joint at each end that fit the 8 3/8" overall dimension I needed. There was enough threaded length on the rod to do this. I then used red Loctite and threaded a ball joint to each end of the shortened rod. Another, cheaper path would be to just cut the curved ends off your old control pedal rod and then cut 5/16" -24 threads in each end, if you have the die to cut them.

Control Lever Cable: after removing part numbers 24 (nut) and 25 (Clutch Control Lever Cable Yoke End), I found that my cable was too short to properly thread into the Heim joint. So, I made a "Heim joint extender" from the following two McMaster Carr parts:
- One of item 90322A684, "Grade 8 Fully Threaded Rod 5/16" -24 Thread, 1" Long ($4.25)
- One of item 90977A160, "Medium Strength Steel Coupling Nut Grade 5, 5/16" - 24 Thread Size" ($4.67)

I used red Loctite to thread one half of the 1" rod into the coupling nut, and the other half into the third Heim joint. I also had to trim a small amount of length from the control lever cable to get everything to fit.

I soaked the Heim joints in 5W-20 motor oil for a few days but I don't think the bronze races absorbed very much of it. To fasten it all together in my MB, I used the following McMaster Carr items (a local hardware store or your loose screws box would suffice too)
- One pack of item 91286A155, "High-Strength Grade 8 Steel Hex Head Screw Zinc-Aluminum Coated, 5/16"-18 Thread Size, 1" Long, Packs of 50" ($11.74)
- One pack of item 94828A420, "Extra-Wide Thin Flex Top Locknut for Heavy Vibration, 5/16" -18 size, pack of 10" ($7.01)

Here's how it ended up. My clutch linkage now operates a little smoother and the system should be more reliable for heavy use (like epic MVPA convoys).

Image

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Alan W. Johnson
_______________
MB, 201453, "Lt Bob"
MB, 1942, not stock
M-100, Sep 1951
MB-TD, Mar 2012
Ford 91C, 1939


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tamnalan
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Re: Clutch linkage Heim joints

Post by tamnalan » Sun Feb 12, 2017 6:35 am

A final comment: I knew exactly how long my clutch control pedal rod needed to be. Without this information, a better rod design would be to use a RH thread joint on one end and a LH thread joint on the other. This would enable the overall length to be adjusted after installation by simply turning the rod. Be sure to use locknuts if this path is taken.
Alan W. Johnson
_______________
MB, 201453, "Lt Bob"
MB, 1942, not stock
M-100, Sep 1951
MB-TD, Mar 2012
Ford 91C, 1939

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artificer
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Re: Clutch linkage Heim joints

Post by artificer » Sun Feb 12, 2017 9:32 am

Been there done that & obviously smaller ones work wonders on the accelerator/throttle linkages.
John GIBBINS Member Institute of Automotive Mechanical Engineers [Ret], ASE Master Medium/Heavy Truck & Auto Technician USA -2002 Licensed Motor Mech NSW MVIC 49593 Current 2015
TO DIAGNOSE, TROUBLESHOOT OR FAULT FIND ANY AUTO SYSTEM....
Understand how system parts interact with one another. GOOD parts can then be established & the NOT GOOD problem/s part/s isolated for repair or replacement.

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Re: Clutch linkage Heim joints

Post by Marty, SoCal » Sun Feb 12, 2017 4:31 pm

This mod is a good way to salvage a worn bell crank, meaning one worn out where the original solid rod has eaten away the end of the lever. Once the bolt retaining the Heim joint to the arm is torqued, it won't move.

Those metric inclined folks could use 8mm x 1.25 threaded joints.
43 Ford GPW 92098
53 Dunbar Kapple M100
Sold: 61 CJ-5, 41 T207 WC-1 Dodge closed cab pickup
MVPA #8266
USMC Tanker (1811, 1812), 85-93
ASE Automotive Master tech, former Chrysler-Jeep Level 4 Mastertech, CA state EA smog license


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