Re: Spider clutch pedal

[Nsaldana21@domain.elided]

Russ writes:
"Hi, I know there has been discussion in the past
regarding the weld on Spider clutch pedal. Now that I
am rebuilding the assembly, I just wanted to be sure
of what I am looking at. Unless there has been a
previous repair, it appears that the clutch pedal is
welded to the pivot about an inch below the shaft. Is
this a repair, or is this the way it was made? 
I will be replacing both master cylinders, anything
else I should do while I am in here?

Thanks,
Russ Tine
75 Spider
87 Milano"

Yes, I have dismantled the clutch/brake assembly and here are my notes on 
what you should look for.

1. The clutch pivot shaft is notorious for breaking at the weld spot. 
(bracket to shaft) It happened to me last month.  The worst things is when I 
got towed to my house and discovered the magnetic stop lamps from the tow 
truck made a permanent scratch mark even though he put cardboard.  I had to 
wait for 4 hours to get a flat bed.  Lesson learned.  Don't break down.
2. The clutch pivot shafts are available.  IAP was out of stock and I called 
DiFatta Brothers and they had 10 in stock. $36 bucks.  If you can afford it 
replace it now.  It's like the timing belt maintenance.
3. Check the plastic bushings for wear.  Normally the shaft does not get to 
much load.  Mine was in very good condition.  I greased them also.
4. Yes, the clutch pedal did have a weldment 1/3 from the pivot.  I do not 
know if this was an ECO engineering change order or what.  But if yours was 
maybe it was an ECO.  I would be concerned if it was the brake pedal.
5. In working with cars, my objective is to fix it and make it better that 
before.  So, while the masters and vacuum booster were out I checked to see 
if the masters needed replacement.  They were both fairly new.  I removed 
surface rust on the booster and painted it.  It looked brand new now.  
Depressing the brakes on the Alfa did not give you a confident feeling 
because it's soft.  But the brakes work fine.  I am used to the harder 
feeling during the initial engagement.  Don Baker from Italian Performance 
Specialist in San Carlos, CA suggested to replace the brake master cylinder 
with a 22 instead of a 20 an ATE unit. (Later Alfa cars use 22) The initial 
engagement with the 22 will give you a very positive feeling.  Next time it 
needs replacing I will use the 22. (Marking is on the body of the master 
cylinder.)  Also, the aluminum casing for the pivot shaft was grudy and I 
clean and polished it.
6. Tech Tip: You cannot remove the pedal assembly completely out without 
removing the pedals from the pivot shaft.  There is a flat round tapered pin 
that keys the clutch pedal to the pivot shaft.  Remove the nut and use a pin 
punch to press the pin out.  Do not use a hammer alone.  Using a hammer will 
mushroom the pin.

Nelson Saldana, Pittsburg, CA
74 Alfa Spider with 107K miles.
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