Service Slants

Motor, Nov 2005 by Rosario, Tom

GM

Scraping noise from clutch pedal. GM reports that some 1998-2002 Cainaros and Firebirds may give off a weird scraping sound when the clutch pedal is depressed. If nothing unusual turns up underneath the car, chances are a damaged or broken clutch pedal return spring is the cause of the noise. A new, beefier spring (Part No. 10278874) is now available to put an end to the ruckus.

To install the upgraded return spring, begin by unsnapping the left lower portion of the trim plate bezel from the instrument panel. Next, remove the knee bolster, followed by the lower insulator panel. Remove the fuse box retaining screws and push the box aside. Continue by removing the clutch start switch, leaving its connector attached. Now remove the clutch actuator rod clip and rod from the pedal. Disconnect the three-way electrical connector from the side of the steering column.

At this point, you should have an unobstructed view of the clutch pedal assembly. Using the illustration at right as a guide, locate the nylon inserts at the two end points where the return spring is attached to the pedal assembly. If they're missing, check the carpeting carefully because the new spring won't fit properly without them. If you can't find them, you must replace the entire clutch pedal assembly; the inserts are not available separately!

If the nylon inserts are just where they should be, install the right leg of the new return spring into the bracket hole on the pedal assembly. Now rotate and swing the flat portion of the spring into the pocket in the pedal, as shown in the illustration. Using a needle-nose pliers, insert the other leg of the return spring into its corresponding hole in the bracket. Reconnect the three-way connector at the steering column, then the clutch actuator rod and clip at the pedal. Reinstall the clutch start switch. To complete the fix, reinstall the fuse box, lower insulator panel, knee bolster and trim plate bezel, then check for proper clutch pedal operation.

Ford

Inaccurate PID. If you're diagnosing, say, a speedometer or transmission problem on a 2003 2.3L Focus with the PZEV engine and hope to get some help from the VSS PID in the data stream, forget it! Ford says the data for this particular PID will always read zero, regardless of the speed of the vehicle. What's odd is that the glitch occurs only in generic OBD II mode; there's no such problem when using the enhanced functions of your scan tool.

Reprogramming the PCM using the latest WDS calibration should correct the PID snafu in short order. You can also access the updated software files at www.nwtorcrafi.com.

Dodge Truck

Floor pan noise. Dodge reports that some 2000-01 Ram Trucks are prone to producing a rattling or knocking sound from the drivers-side floor pan area. According to the truck maker, the noise is often accompanied by a vibration, usually occurs while the engine is idling and is most likely due to too much slop in the transmission shift linkage. Installing a new torque shaft spring (Part No. 05101852AA) should take up the clearance and eliminate the ruckus in short order.

To begin the job, raise the truck on a lift and pry the gearshift rod link adjuster block from the torque shaft lever. Inspect the plastic grommet for wear or damage, and replace it if necessary. Now remove the torque shaft to floor pan support attaching screws and remove the shaft by prying it out of the transmission case grommet. Toss this grommet if it's damaged.

Clean the torque shaft with brake cleaner, then apply a thin coat of grease (Part No. 04318063 or equivalent) to both grommets and the front part of the shaft that will retain the new spring. Install the spring and grommet over the torque shaft, then follow that up by installing the shaft into the transmission case. Next, torque the floor pan support attaching screws to 300 in.-lbs, then install the gearshift rod link into the grommet at the torque shaft lever. To finish off the repair, lower the pickup and go through the gears to ensure that the gearshift lever is operating smoothly and that the PRNDL indicator on the dash is reading correctly. Adjust the shift linkage and/or indicator cable as necessary.

Mitsubishi

Noise when braking. Mitsubishi wants you to be aware that some Galant and Eclipse models can give off a high-pitched ringing noise from the front brakes during light pedal applications at low speeds. The problem affects 2001-03 V6 models, as well as 2002-03 four-cylinder models, all built prior to 7/23/02. Resonant frequencies setting up in the brake caliper supports under light braking conditions is the likely cause of the irritation. New-design caliper supports (Part No. MN102821, two required) are now available to address the noise issue.

To home in on the diagnosis, take the vehicle to a large parking lot and heat up the rotors by making a few light-to-moderate stops. Now accelerate to between 5 and 35 mph and lightly apply the brakes. If the noise you hear is similar to the sound of a rotor being turned on a lathe, you've nailed the caliper supports as the culprits. Install the new parts with confidence.