Pre-war (up to 1942) 1939 LaSalle 5019 Clutch and Brake Bumpers

[39LaSalleDriver]

Can anyone verify if part #70-0192-23 from Steele which they call a "Brake and Clutch Shank Seal" was used on 39 LaSalles? The plate which fits under driver and has the holes which the brake and clutch pedals fit through rubs against the shaft on mine, and I suspect originally had some sort of rubber bushing or grommet.

This drawing from a parts list shows "H" as a "Bumper" part 5.0325 as being "typical", but I can't find it in my 35-40 MPL.

[Tom Boehm]

Hello Jon, Yes this part is correct for your car. My 40-50 Lasalle has this part and 39 and 40 are identical in this respect. This part snaps on a rim on the end of part M in the picture. The rim is around the hole that accepts the pedal. The rubber part stays on the outside of the floorboard. It is only intended to prevent wind from rushing through the hole in the floorboard. If your pedals are rubbing on the edge of the hole you will need to fix that first because this rubber part will not solve it. Either adjust the floor plate and/or pedals or make the holes in the plate bigger.

[Steve Passmore]

If the pedals are rubbing the sides of the floor holes it usually means a worn pedal spindle or slightly bent pedal.

[LaSalle5019]

Hijacking your thread a bit.....Part AF on my car seems to be non-existent as there is a huge amount of slop between the clutch actuation arm and frame support. Was that some sort of bushing or bearing? Since I'm removing my engine it is an opportune time to fix it. Something I can purchase perhaps? Also, your parts book...is that something available?
Thanks for the help.
Scott

[Jay Friedman]

There should be a bushings inside the bottom of both pedal assemblies under the hood where they rotate on a shaft.  Usually there are grease fittings at those places.  You have to remove the pedal assemblies to see the bushings.  If the bushings are worn, it could cause the pedals to wobble or sit at an angle which could cause them to scrape the sides of the holes in the floorboard the upper part of the pedals go through. 

When this happened to my '49 many years ago a knowledgeable parts man was able to find king pin bushings from another make of car that fit and worked.  Otherwise you might have to have the bushings made by a machine shop.

[Tom Boehm]

Hello Scott, I dealt with this situation on mine. The original piece was hard rubber with a bronze bushing. That piece was not available reproduction. I made a piece out of rubber but it was too soft and did not solve the problem. The solution was delrin plastic. This stuff is ridgid but not brittle. It worked great. To make a cylindrical piece I drilled a hole in the delrin the diameter of the shaft on the frame. I put a bolt that diameter through the hole to mount it in a drill press. I used a wood lathe tool to shave it down to the right outside diameter. Delrin is available at www.restorationstuff.com. It is on p.31 of their online catalog.  They might carry cylindrical pieces with the proper outside diameter.
Also, the Cadillac Master Parts Book 1935-1949 is available reproduction. Look in the literature for sale section in Hemmings. The book does not answer every single question but it is well worth it if you are doing major restoration work.

[39LaSalleDriver]

Hello Jon, Yes this part is correct for your car. My 40-50 Lasalle has this part and 39 and 40 are identical in this respect. This part snaps on a rim on the end of part M in the picture. The rim is around the hole that accepts the pedal. The rubber part stays on the outside of the floorboard. It is only intended to prevent wind from rushing through the hole in the floorboard. If your pedals are rubbing on the edge of the hole you will need to fix that first because this rubber part will not solve it. Either adjust the floor plate and/or pedals or make the holes in the plate bigger.

Thanks Tom. Just to make sure, as I understand what you are describing, see my attached illustration.

If the pedals are rubbing the sides of the floor holes it usually means a worn pedal spindle or slightly bent pedal.

I've thought of that, but it doesn't do it often, just once in a rare while. And when it does, it's not severe, just a light skimming along the edge. My guess is as Tom suggested that I need to slightly adjust the access panel or the pedal. I went ahead and ordered a set. At the very least it will help keep air and smells from drifting in from the engine compartment.

Thanks again guys, you all have once again been a big help.

[Tom Boehm]

Hello Jon, your drawing is correct as far as where the parts go. The rubber seal is backwards in the drawing. The small end connects to the clutch arm and the wide end touches the floor plate.

[Fred Pennington 25635]

Scott, on your part AF I found a polyurethane bushing on ebay for a leaf spring end. I just googled the i.d and o.d. and bushing to find it. I had to cut to length and it works fine. Easy and cheap.

[39LaSalleDriver]

Hello Jon, your drawing is correct as far as where the parts go. The rubber seal is backwards in the drawing. The small end connects to the clutch arm and the wide end touches the floor plate.

Righto. Fixed it for future reference. Thanks again Tom 

[LaSalle5019]

Thanks for the help on the bushing.  Once I pull it apart I can get dimensions and order up some material.  I do have a lathe so no problem getting it to correct dimensions.  My primary question was what type of material and I got some answers there.  Thanks again. Scott

[Fred Pennington 25635]

Scott the original was rubber to suppress noise and vibration. You can use Delrin to make a bushing. It is self lubricating and very wear resistant.