Using Rodney's Clutch Lever in '85 gt? + Clutch Replacement Estiamte? (Page 1/2)
Hamfiero FEB 28, 07:09 PM
Good evening,

I own a 1985 Pontiac Fiero GT. I brought my car to the mechanic in July, and they've just now started to work on it. They have found that I need a new clutch release lever but cannot find one. Here is the GM part number they gave me: 10054300.

Can I use Rodney Dickman's 4 speed clutch release lever found at https://rodneydickman.com/p....php?products_id=565 ?

My original problem with the car was that it wouldn't get into gear while the engine was running. The mechanic replaced the clutch plate and have charged me over $1000 for eight whole hours of work. Is this realistic for Fieros?

Thanks,
Hamfiero
82-T/A [At Work] FEB 28, 07:15 PM

quote
Originally posted by Hamfiero:

Good evening,

I own a 1985 Pontiac Fiero GT. I brought my car to the mechanic in July, and they've just now started to work on it. They have found that I need a new clutch release lever but cannot find one. Here is the GM part number they gave me: 10054300.

Can I use Rodney Dickman's 4 speed clutch release lever found at https://rodneydickman.com/p....php?products_id=565 ?

My original problem with the car was that it wouldn't get into gear while the engine was running. The mechanic replaced the clutch plate and have charged me over $1000 for eight whole hours of work. Is this realistic for Fieros?

Thanks,
Hamfiero




$1,000 isn't horrible for a clutch job, because they literally have to drop the cradle and remove the transmission from the engine... I wouldn't mind paying someone that same price, if it wasn't for the fact that I don't trust anyone to work on my cars except for me.

I'm more concerned about the fact that they've had your car since July...


What's wrong with the clutch release lever you have? Yes, the one from Rodney will work. Have they taken a look at the clutch pedal? They tend to bend over the years. It should sit at least a half inch proud from the brake pedal, like this:




If it sits flush with the brake pedal, or even further down, then your clutch pedal needs to be replaced. You can get a new one from the Fiero Store

(note, yes... I'm missing the bolt from the steering rack, haha).
olejoedad FEB 28, 07:26 PM
In addition to the above post, the clutch hydraulic system can be a challenge to bleed for someone that hasn't done it before.

If the pushrod doesn't extend far enough from the slave cylinder, the clutch won't fully release.
This could be caused by air in the hydraulic system, or worn seals in the clutch master cylinder or the slave cylinder.

I don't recall how far the pushrod should extend, maybe someone will chime in, but I believe it should have about 1 1/4 inches.

Make sure the mechanic shows you the used clutch parts. Many states require that the parts be saved to show the customer.
Hamfiero FEB 28, 07:50 PM
Thank you so much for the quick response!


quote
Originally posted by 82-T/A [At Work]:
I'm more concerned about the fact that they've had your car since July...



It was kept at one mechanic until November when they told us they didn't want to work on it. They then towed it for free to the next place which has had it since November. When we would call them, the guy said he couldn't find the motivation to work on it.


quote

What's wrong with the clutch release lever you have?



I'm not sure as they haven't sent photos or anything. They just told us we needed one over the phone and sent a text with the number.


quote

Have they taken a look at the clutch pedal? They tend to bend over the years.



Mine is bent. I was originally trying to fix it myself over the summer, but I couldn't get the pedal assembly apart in a way for me to get the pedal out and put on the re-enforcements. I told this to the mechanic when I took it in but haven't heard anything about it yet.

Again, thank you for the help. We have sent a picture of the lever to the mechanic to make sure he is willing to install it.
Hamfiero FEB 28, 07:52 PM
Thanks for the reply!


quote
Originally posted by olejoedad:
In addition to the above post, the clutch hydraulic system can be a challenge to bleed for someone that hasn't done it before.



I did originally bleeding the system using tutorials from this forum but to no avail.


quote

Make sure the mechanic shows you the used clutch parts. Many states require that the parts be saved to show the customer.



I will definitely be doing so! I do not have a lot of confidence in this mechanic given how long it's taken for them to look at it 😂
cartercarbaficionado FEB 28, 08:41 PM

quote
Originally posted by Hamfiero:

Thank you so much for the quick response!


Mine is bent. I was originally trying to fix it myself over the summer, but I couldn't get the pedal assembly apart in a way for me to get the pedal out and put on the re-enforcements. I told this to the mechanic when I took it in but haven't heard anything about it yet.

Again, thank you for the help. We have sent a picture of the lever to the mechanic to make sure he is willing to install it.


its pretty easy to get the pedal out with a little violence without taking the assembly out of the fiero. i could walk you through it and what bits youll need to fix the parts that will break (plastic)
1985 Fiero GT FEB 28, 09:22 PM

quote
Originally posted by 82-T/A [At Work]:
What's wrong with the clutch release lever you have? Yes, the one from Rodney will work. Have they taken a look at the clutch pedal? They tend to bend over the years. It should sit at least a half inch proud from the brake pedal, like this:





The early style stamped release lever can commonly break or bend, mine did, and from the dirt in the cracks it was bent/cracking for a long time before catastrophically failing. Later years used a cast iron piece that is stronger, Rodney's is strongest, works great, etc.
olejoedad FEB 28, 09:35 PM
The pushrod on the clutch master cylinder has an offset opening.
Be sure that it is oriented properly as well.
hnthomps MAR 01, 08:26 PM
BTW, it is possible to remove the clutch assembly without pulling the motor (at least on a five speed Getrag 282 transmission). I think that the procedure is detailed on a PFF strring. If you cannot find it let me know and I will see if I can locate some photos.

Nelson
Patrick MAR 01, 10:56 PM

quote
Originally posted by Hamfiero:

My original problem with the car was that it wouldn't get into gear while the engine was running. The mechanic replaced the clutch plate...



The "clutch plate" is normally replaced when the clutch is slipping. If the clutch disc was replaced due to a transmission that "wouldn't get into gear while the engine was running", then the mechanic is either incompetent or a thief or both.

[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 03-01-2025).]