It all started when my '91 Civic DX (a.k.a. "Princess") started having difficulty shifting. I thought it was the clutch going bad. Over the course of a few days, she became virtually un-drivable. I poked around under the hood, and noticed the clutch cable was loose. I tightened it up and she shifted smoother than ever. Weird...

So every few days I was having to re-adjust the cable, thought it was just the cable going bad so I made plans to buy a new one. Then one day Princess just wouldn't start - the clutch pedal was no longer hitting the interlock switch. This is how I finally figured out there must be something wrong with the pedal. I laid on the floor and felt around, the pedal missed the switch by just a hair. Upon inspection, I found a place on the bracket that was broken. The compromised bracket simply wouldn't hold up to the force of the clutch. In fact, it looks as if it's been already been rewelded once before. Hm...



I've found a rebuilt pedal assembly on eBay, and I got a new clutch cable for good measure. I picked up a Chilton guide, but it mentions nothing about replacing the assembly. I found a couple good threads on this forum, and an especially good description by a member named DaX, but the threads are old and the pictures have expired. I'm pretty sure I can get the job done, but those pictures sure would help.

Anyway, if anybody can help me out, that would be sweet. Some are saying to drop the steering column, others say it isn't necessary. I guess the main part I'm having trouble with is removing the duct that's blocking the "hidden" top bolt. Are there any fasteners that hold the duct in place, or can I just yank it out? I honestly don't plan on reinstalling it, since the heater's stuck in defrost anyway ha.

Any advice is appreciated.

 

Yes, just yank it out. I pull the side by the dash vent down/out first, then the other side will pretty much slide out. Then you have (limited) access to the top bolt lol

 

i dropped the steering column i do beileve air tools help alot in those tight spaces.

i think i replaced my buddies like 3 times and then finally rewelded his with some bracing around so it didnt break again

 

Good enough, I'll give it a go. I'm just hesitant to start tearing into it because she's parked in a semi-public place and can't be out of commission too long. I really don't trust mechanics, and the one I do trust won't answer my calls because I only go to him when I have really messed up **** to deal with hehe.

My last car was an '87 Legend coupe, and I did all kinds of work on that car myself. But I also lived in a place where I had a good work space. These days I'm in an apartment in the 'hood and all car work around here is done on the alley on the side of the building. It seems like Princess is a little more complicated than the Legend was too. So it goes.

 

Its not that bad of a job. Just unhook the throttle and clutch cables, take out the pin for the brake pedal (help in with a cotter pin i believe). Then you can take out all the nuts and pull the assembly out. Should be able to do it in an hour, maybe 2. Maybe a little shorter for reassembly. Dont forget to re-adjust throttle and clutch cables with the new pedal assembly

 

I've been trying to fight the duct out without dropping the column, but I don't think that'll be possible. Can't get a wrench up behind it either.

Does anybody know what the hell a knee bolster is?

 

I dropped the steering column, and that has obvious benefits. Still can't get the duct out. Chilton book shows two bolts that can only be accessed by pulling the dash. Did you guys pull out the dash? Am I missing something here?

 

The ducts can both be pulled down. Especially if it is warm out they will slide right out. I almost always bend them in half when pulling them down. You need to get them out because there is a bolt which holds the top of the pedal assembly and you need to remove it.

Dropping the steering column is essential, I don't think you can get them out any other way.

 

I dont remember if I dropped the column or not, I might have. But my duct pulled right out. I was barely even trying lol.

 

The blower side came off no problem. Something's definitely holding it up on the vent side. I removed the cover on the part that goes to the door and when I pull on the duct from underneath it seems like it's just hung up on the vent. I really can't see any fasteners. I'll give it another go when I get off work today.

 

i think it just pulls out i can be mistaken though in did it like 2 years ago