C3 Tech/Performance V8 Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Basic Tech and Maintenance for the C3 Corvette
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Clutch Pedal Return Spring

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Feb 21, 2003 | 04:58 PM
  #1  
1969Vette383's Avatar
1969Vette383
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 839
Likes: 0
From: Lewiston, Maine
Default Clutch Pedal Return Spring

Help :(
So I've gotten a new clutch installed (CF Dual Friction) and I'm down to this (crossed fingers) last step. My old return spring broke off back in August, but my clutch pedal still worked as it did with the spring so I didn't really take notice of where it was really hooked up to. I want to say that it was clipped somehow into the bellhousing, but if I try this now, the oil filter gets in the way. I have some pictures in my yahoo briefcase: http://briefcase.yahoo.com/bc/avanti63r1025
to show what I'm working with. I see there are some archived topics, but my car isn't a BB and it's also pretty much a b@$tard vette; that said, I do love my car, but it's a non-#s car and there have been body alterations to her as evidenced also in my briefcase. I wish I was working with something cherry, but my budget when I bought her wouldn't allow.
Any advice would be thoroughly appreciated :cheers:
Reply
Old Feb 21, 2003 | 05:43 PM
  #2  
theandies's Avatar
theandies
Team Owner
20 Year Member
Veteran: Air Force
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 23,375
Likes: 1,067
From: Virginia USA
Default Re: Clutch Pedal Return Spring (1969Vette350)

These springs are anti-rattle springs. All they do is keep the rods from rattling. When I bought my car my clutch would rattle like you wouldn't believe until I found out that I was missing one of these springs. I got a new one and no more rattles. It looks like you have the wrong springs; my original one was pretty small. I will take the digital camera out to the car tonight and take some pictures for you. You are also missing the grease fitting on the bottom of your Z-bar. That hole should have a grease zerk in it. Just FYI.
John
Reply
Old Feb 21, 2003 | 06:03 PM
  #3  
1969Vette383's Avatar
1969Vette383
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 839
Likes: 0
From: Lewiston, Maine
Default Re: Clutch Pedal Return Spring

Thanks a ton! Pictures speak a thousand words and the Haynes Manual just isn't cutting it.
I said my car was a b@$tard car :( I wouldn't be shocked if it was missing more than just one zerk fitting either. Actually I'm surprised it has all 8 spark plugs :D. Okay so that's a bit extreme, but I'm doing what I can to make it all fit together.
Reply
Old Feb 22, 2003 | 09:54 AM
  #4  
fauxrs's Avatar
fauxrs
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 5,768
Likes: 3
From: San Diego CA
Default Re: Clutch Pedal Return Spring (1969Vette350)

There is also a clutch return spring that attaches to the arm that the pedal pushrod attaches to and then connects to a bracket on the firewall - this spring ensures that the throwout bearing is lifted all the way off the diaphram spring - i think this is the return spring you are talking about.

I too ran without one of these for quite a long while until i redid my clutch last year.
Reply
Old Feb 22, 2003 | 10:20 AM
  #5  
Eddie 70's Avatar
Eddie 70
Race Director
Supporting Lifetime Gold
St. Jude 10 Year Donor
25 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 19,659
Likes: 34
From: Lenoir City Tennessee
Ci 6, 8 & 10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Default Re: Clutch Pedal Return Spring (fauxrs)

I tried to get a shot of the springs on the clutch actuation rod but could not get them. My camera keeps focusing on the wrong thing. I did get a pic of the z-bar return spring if this helps any.

It is 592kb.
http://temp.corvetteforum.net/c4/eddie_96//dsc00026.jpg
Reply
Old Feb 22, 2003 | 03:02 PM
  #6  
Clink69's Avatar
Clink69
Drifting
 
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 1,355
Likes: 0
From: Germantown Maryland
Default Re: Clutch Pedal Return Spring (theandies)

You are also missing the grease fitting on the bottom of your Z-bar. That hole should have a grease zerk in it. Just FYI.
John
AHaa , I never knew that fitting was on my car... Maybe thats why the pedal pressure feels so hard; No grease :confused: maybe just maybe...
Reply
Old Feb 23, 2003 | 02:33 AM
  #7  
1969Vette383's Avatar
1969Vette383
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 839
Likes: 0
From: Lewiston, Maine
Default Re: Clutch Pedal Return Spring

Okay, so I've got the pedal return spring on and can get the clutch pedal adjusted. However I'm getting very little, if any, actual feel of the throwout bearing engaging the diaphram to let the clutch go. What's wrong here? One fix I see, but the improper one, is to have a longer adjustment rod for the pedal. At the very edge closest to the front of the car on the rod, the pedal just starts to feel some resistance. I would guess maybe 1" or less from the floor. What's going wrong here? Does the clutch fork need to be moved around? Don't tell me (although I will if I must) I have to go back into the clutch and pressure plate area to make a minor tune up. What I'm asking now is: How do I get more pedal pressure? How do I make the throwout bearing go further in than it is capable of going now? Some friends and I are stumped.

This is a Centerforce dual friction unit, and they advertise light pedal effort, but this is rediculous. It can't be, and isn't right because I started the car and the shifter won't go into any gear. Now I can match revs pretty well to shift without using the clutch, but I'm not that good.
Reply
Old Feb 23, 2003 | 07:10 AM
  #8  
Clink69's Avatar
Clink69
Drifting
 
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 1,355
Likes: 0
From: Germantown Maryland
Default Re: Clutch Pedal Return Spring (1969Vette350)

You did change the Ball Stud on the Fork didn't you. It requires a longer one.. Most people use Adjustable ball studs. It needs to be about 1/2 longer to put the bearing closer to the pressure plate and away form the tranny. ball stud screws into the bellhousing from the outside..Just pull the tranny back, not out. also put lock tight on it after you have it adjusted correctly so it doesn;t come loose. Streve Straus has a previous post with pics on this.

Chris
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Feb 23, 2003 | 09:18 AM
  #9  
theandies's Avatar
theandies
Team Owner
20 Year Member
Veteran: Air Force
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 23,375
Likes: 1,067
From: Virginia USA
Default Re: Clutch Pedal Return Spring (Clink69)

You did change the Ball Stud on the Fork didn't you. It requires a longer one.. Most people use Adjustable ball studs. It needs to be about 1/2 longer to put the bearing closer to the pressure plate and away form the tranny. ball stud screws into the bellhousing from the outside..Just pull the tranny back, not out. also put lock tight on it after you have it adjusted correctly so it doesn;t come loose. Streve Straus has a previous post with pics on this.

Chris

:iagree:
JOhn
Reply
Old Feb 23, 2003 | 09:58 AM
  #10  
OkeeGuy's Avatar
OkeeGuy
Safety Car
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 4,411
Likes: 1
From: Okeechobee Florida
Default Re: Clutch Pedal Return Spring (1969Vette350)

Eddie 70's pic is correct...
the big spring hooks onto this bracket that is on the firewall and surrounds the steering shaft...NOT in that big hole but in a very small one at the bottom of the bracket... http://us.f1.yahoofs.com/users/86213...qFOW.AAN3Yj_lR
the other end hooks onto the z-bar...
when i redid my engine bay, i removed this bracket and cut off the old steering lock hole/mount...the one that you can see in your pic above...
i hate stuff that is there and not used...if its not used, i get rid of it...
:yesnod:
if it were me...i would buy all new springs, all 3 of them and put them all in the correct locations...
just a side note here but i noticed that you use Fram oil filters...
you may want to read this and see what is and is not inside of a Fram filter...
you may decide to start using something different...
perhaps a Mobile 1... :yesnod: http://www.scuderiaciriani.com/rx7/oil_filter_study/
Reply
Old Feb 23, 2003 | 12:17 PM
  #11  
V8yunkie's Avatar
V8yunkie
Racer
15 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 386
Likes: 0
From: Niedernhausen, Germany
Default @Eddie 70: Clutch Pedal Return Spring (SIGNGUY)

I just noted that your clutch actuation rod is not adjusted properly... the swivel which connects to the z-bar needs to have play between the two nuts on the rod. Appr. 1/4 inch I think. This is to prevent the clutch to be slightly depressed as soon as the clutch-plate wears with time - thus putting constant pressure on the throw-out bearing and finally (if the clutch plate gets to thin) resulting in a slipping clutch. First thing that usually happens is the throw-out bearing to go bad... usually noticed by a distinct noise which disappears as soon as you depress the clutch pedal.

Check out the Haynes manual for proper adjustment. Just recently I have had a friend thinking he had a bad (slipping) clutch and sent his car to the workshop. The guy there being honest told him it only was a bad adjustment of the linkage... no the car is back on the road for a couple of bucks. I guess not every workshop would be honest enough to do that.

BTW, this is one of the advantages of a hydraulic clutch... you do not need to readjust due to the wearing clutch plate.
Reply
Old Feb 23, 2003 | 07:58 PM
  #12  
1969Vette383's Avatar
1969Vette383
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 839
Likes: 0
From: Lewiston, Maine
Default Re: @Eddie 70: Clutch Pedal Return Spring

Thanks guys, I'll give that a shot :seeya
I've heard that about Fram filters before, in fact I remember when that site had a far more opinionated layout. The creator was asked to not say so many bad things about the filters he did. A store who made most of their filter income off Fram, and who mostly stocked Fram filters, did the asking and I believed threatened to sue him. So following orders he took down the objectionable portions.
This motor is a temporary status anyway :D :eek: I have a few tricks up my sleeve for this car.


[Modified by 1969Vette350, 5:01 PM 2/23/2003]
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Clutch Pedal Return Spring





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 08:06 AM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE