Rust Removal & Rebuild (Pedal Assembly)

[Steven Harris]

My car is an automatic but I have acquired a set of manual pedals from a wreck coupe. The pedal assembly took some damage but worse was wore completely through the aluminum bushings. I have plans to rebuild this pedal assembly (with sealed bearings) and plan to document my progress.

Step one was clean up. This is an amazing step. I have submerged the pedal assemblies in 100% white vinegar, sprayed them off with water and then bathed them with a spray of brake cleaner (Acetone). The vinegar will eat the aluminum bushing (but mine is bad).

If you have submersible parts this is an effective, clean and easy method of clean up. You will be amazed.

[JTS71 Mach1]

I'd heard of that trick but had never seen the results. Looks pretty good. Nice job. JTS 71 Mach1

[Mustangmike]

Awesome results Steve. How long did you keep the pedal assembly submerged in the vinegar; and is it recommended to wire brush the assembly prior to submerging in vinegar to get the results you achieved? Thank you for the tip.

[Steven Harris]

I washed the assembly to get the dirt off and then submerged it.

I took it out every twenty-four hours and rinsed it off to see how it was coming. At first I did not have enough vinegar to fully submerge it so I would keep flipping it every other time.

I would say that for a complete clean it would require forty-eight hours. If it is not as clean as it should be just put it back in for a while longer. I also did all the other pieces that are part of the whole.

Latter I plan to make a box for a six cylinder header I have, line it with sheet plastic and give it a go as well. Sure beats the grit of sandblasting though I use that method as well depending on the part. Vinegar doesn't remove the old paint - just the rust.

[Mustangmike]

Thanks Steve...I plan on giving this try.

[mymachone]

Steve how long before the viniger is spent , any idea ?

[Steven Harris]

I don't know that one yet. I am still soaking the second assembly after having done all the other parts. It does seem to have slowed but is still working well.

Here is my second pedal assembly "cooking" and a few of the parts done. Not all of these parts were done with vinegar. Some were sand blasted.

[Rare Pony]

I was thinking about soaking my Buck tag in vinegar to get the Ziebart rustproofing off, but I think the buck tag is aluminum, so I'm glad you posted that warning.

[BLACK JADE 69]

THAT'S AWESOME....I AM ALWAYS TRYING TO FIND EASIER WAYS OF RUST REMOVAL. THANKS STEVEN!!!

[Steven Harris]

Here's an update on my progress.

So I started with two separate pedal assemblies. One from a wrecked coupe that was tweaked and wore through the clutch pedal bushings and the second one from my automatic Mach 1.

I eventually want to transplant a five speed into my Mach 1 and have been looking for clutch pedals on the cheap. I have not been able to find bushings to replace the broke/wore out ones so I came up with an upgrade.

I bought two sealed flanged bearings (5/8" ID, 1 3/8" OD, 1/2" thick) ($3.62 @) and using a scrap piece of tubing/pipe (the same ID as the bearing OD) I made a bearing and carrier to replace the bushings. I cut the tube at 3 5/16" and then hole cut the pedal assembly the size of the OD of the tubing and welded it into place.

A relatively easy upgrade to bearing clutch pedal.