Throw out fork...oops!

[hashmaker]

I have worked on a lot of GM cars but this was a first. Working on the clutch linkage and Z bar on the 65 Satellite I bumped the throw out fork with my elbow and the fork fell out. The trans and clutch are in and all was good except for worn clutch lingage. Is there a trick any one can tell me about getting it back in?? I can't get it in so far?

 

[HitIt]

It should just slide over the throw out bearing carrier, then pop onto the ball stud pivot. If you haven't yet, take the linkage rod off from the z-bar to fork, put a thin layer of grease on the fork tangs and gently tap it into place. Then once in place pop it towards the rear of the car onto the ball stud pivot. That's how it should work anyway. Good luck!

 

[69Bee]

It should just slide over the throw out bearing carrier, then pop onto the ball stud pivot. If you haven't yet, take the linkage rod off from the z-bar to fork, put a thin layer of grease on the fork tangs and gently tap it into place. Then once in place pop it towards the rear of the car onto the ball stud pivot. That's how it should work anyway. Good luck!

Mopars don't have a ball stud for the fork, but rather a rectangle that the fork clip will go thru. Also, the fork attaches to the back of the throwout bearing carrier, and is held in place with 2 more clips. If you put the fork in position against all of the clips, and push it into the housing, you should be able to get it back on with no problem. You are going to have to force it though, you are pushing against 3 clips.

Good luck with it.

 

[hashmaker]

69bee you are correct, I have been pushing and prying, so far the bearing seperated from the cast iron collar, I got those back together but for all the pushing I haven't been able to get it. It sounds like it is possible so I'll keep trying. Was going to give up and pull the trans if people thought there was no other way, thanks

 

[HitIt]

Mopars don't have a ball stud for the fork, but rather a rectangle that the fork clip will go thru. Also, the fork attaches to the back of the throwout bearing carrier, and is held in place with 2 more clips. If you put the fork in position against all of the clips, and push it into the housing, you should be able to get it back on with no problem. You are going to have to force it though, you are pushing against 3 clips.

Good luck with it.

Yup, you're right. I was thinking back a few years ago when I put mine together and it apparently got fuzzy... sorry for the bad info!

 

[coloradodave]

Jeff,
You're too young to have "fuzzy brain". That's for old folks, like me! Must have thought he was working on a Chevy. lol.
Dave

 

[69Bee]

69bee you are correct, I have been pushing and prying, so far the bearing seperated from the cast iron collar, I got those back together but for all the pushing I haven't been able to get it. It sounds like it is possible so I'll keep trying. Was going to give up and pull the trans if people thought there was no other way, thanks

I would be worried about that. The bearing is pressed onto the iron sleeve, and you should not be able to move them independantly of each other by hand. That being said, you could get two longer bolts (7/16x14 I think), and grind the heads off. Then remove the two top tranny bolts, putting the new studs in their place. Remove the other tranny bolts, then slide the tranny back on the studs to give yourself enough room to get the fork back on.

 

[wedgie]

I did exactly the same thing on my '65. Ended up pulling the trans. Not too bad with a wheeled trans jack.

 

[hashmaker]

Thanks for the moral support... I got it back in and all is well. Put hime joints on the clutch linkage and changed it over from manual steering to power steering. Now it drives like a dream.

How hard is finding the proper 4 speed console for one of these '65 Satellites?

 

[dart1962_440]

Any chance you can post pictures of the heim joint setup for the clutch linkage?