I recently blew my old box up and have since purchased a replacement which cost me over £400 from AceGearBoxes. I have attempted fitment today and got stuck straight away - The release shaft didn't go in without a fight, and then the release bearing doesn't sit in situ as it should.

Im kinda guessing here that the company have built me a new box for a different model escort???

Heres some pics to try to help describe the problem(s):

Pic of one-peice release fork/shaft in its rightful spot...


Pic showing new bearing and shaft not connecting right...


I first thought it was because the new bearing was wrong... so I put in the old original bearing from the old box/clutch...

Pic showing old bearing and shaft not connecting right...


Then i thought it was because the shaft was damaged or something....

Pic showing bearing on release fork(s):


Everything seems ok with the both bearings on the fork(s), so surely the box is wrong?

My ERST was first manufactured in '88 and Fords changed the boxes in '87. The stamp on the new box reads '87 so could this be the reason?

I am contacting the company tomorrow (closed today!) but i thought i'd run it passed you guys to see whether you knew what was up while i wait to contact them.

 

looks like you have the wrong fork... is this the fork with the spline on the top..? as they are not interchangeable with the older type that has the bolt holding the fork to the shaft. and has the clutch cable fork welded to the shaft...
hope this helps

Steve

 

Yea, thats what i was thinking. So if i was to get hold of a different shaft, with the forks that bolt on and welded clutch arm, that would sort my problems?

Mine is the later type with the bolt on clutch arm.

I have heard tho that the welded tops on the older ones are prone to snap... how true is this? Reason being, i dont wanna have to re-do all of this work purely for the fact i have swapped a decent shaft for a poorly designed one.

 

the only way to find out is to get hold of the other arm, as for them snapping I've Had on in one for my cars for over 10 years and have had no problems with it, i wish i could as that for the rest of the gearbox.... the other thing you will have to change is the nylon bush on the top of the shaft as it is a different diamiter... as far as i can remember.

Cheers

steve

 

Thanks mate. Well i have emailed the company and sent them all these pics so they can see for themselves. I will be foning them tomorrow to see what they have to say/suggest and then they can supply me a new arm and bush

 

The company contacted me before i had the chance to fone them lol

Apologies given and a new fork/shaft and bush are already in the post to me

Thanks for ya help guys

 

Nice, let's hope is sorts the problem...

Cheers

Steve