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BN1 Clutch Pedal Rattle

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Charlie_W

Freshman Member
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Hello, I have a '54 BN1 that has a rattle that I think is coming from some part in the clutch pedal assembly. When I lightly rest my foot on the pedal, the rattle subsides. If I put my foot under the pedal and pull towards me, the rattle doesn't go away. It leaves me wondering if it's a spring because it's only when I take the slack out of the pedal travel that it stops.

Is there anyone out there who has experienced something similar and has an idea of what it might be? Loose clevis pin? Loose spring? The rattle really takes away from the beautiful sound the engine makes. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks, Charlie.
 
The pedal pad itself is attached with two bolts to the clutch lever in the footwell, if they are not loose then go under the car and make sure the linkages and spring are secure and there is not excessive play. If you can get under the car you can pull on the lever that goes into the footwell and see if there is excess play with all the components external to the bell housing. There are a couple of levers, two rods and a return spring you can look at. The spring could possibly cause your symptoms if it is too slack just sitting there. Find a diagram on the net or in the shop manual to see how it is set up.

When you press lightly on the pdeal are you moving the lever or just very lightly touching the pedal? If you have to move the lever far enough for the throwout bearing in the bell housing to contact the pressure plate, in order to stop the rattle, there could be a problem inside the bell housing if everything else looks good. If you can get the car up on jack stands or ramps in front you might be able to localize where the noise is eminating if it is running in neutral, handbrake on and rear wheels chocked please.

If the noise is coming from inside the bell housing you probably want to pull the gearbox and fix what ever it is as nothing in there should rattle and if it is it will only get worse and may get you stuck somewhere. There are lots of parts in the clutch housing assembly and throwout bearing that could cause rattles that go away when you load the system with a bit of pedal pressure, none of them are fun.
 
Thanks Roscoe!

Appreciate the info. I'd say the pressure is slightly more than just resting my foot on the pedal, but it's hardly anything at all.

I'll start working my way through the items you mentioned and hope it's not coming from inside the bell housing.

Cheers, Charlie.
 
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