Hello everyone. I am trying to adjust a clutch on a 1954 xk 120. When I went to adjust the clutch I noticed the pedal VERY stiff, even for an old girl like this. When I got underneath the car I had an assistant press the clutch in, I observed the counter shaft that goes throught the frame travels outward about 2-3 inches, I believe this shaft should not "walk" like this. The result is the mounting fork that attaches to the clutch rod on the side of the tranny bends about 45 degrees towards the outside of the car, this is NOT right. has anybody experienced this? And if so, how do I repair this. I am a Licensed Mechanic, and relatively versed in these old Jags, but have never come across this before. Any ideas? Mike.

 

thank you everyone who viewed my post. Unfortunatly, no replies but I think this is a very unique problem. However I have a few ideas. Thank you again. Mike.

 

Sorry Mike, I'd love to help you. but I don't know those cars. Sounds like a seized mechanism inside the bell housing, and all the external linkage is bending instead of moving the throw out arm.

 

It seems the counter shaft running through the frame is "walking" when it shouldn't, so the problem as I see it is curing the "walk". But excellent suggestion, could very well be the root of the problem. Thanx, Mike.

 

Is this any help?

 

Hi JagMike,

I am having that same problem on my 56 xk140 - that is, the clutch pedal shaft moves to the outside of the frame about an inch when the pedal is depressed. I am fairly certain the cause is a weak shaft outer spring. This spring is supposed to hold the clutch shaft (and hence the pedal) tight to the outer spherical bearing to prevent the lateral movement to the outside of the frame.

Unless you stop that movement, you'll have a stiff pedal and some eventual failure such as the post of the xk120 video shows.

Notice the post with the video - the outer shaft spring is all the way to the right because the cotter pin that holds the spring has broken (in addition the the failure of the clevis pin in the video).

I am going to try to replace the spring on my car with 2 valve springs to see if I can stop the shaft from moving outward. I'll let you know how it turns out.

I realize this is a fairly old problem you had, so maybe all is well with your car now. Let me know if you've fixed it!

Thanks.

Dave