Aux clutch pedal return spring installed
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 3,284
Likes: 3
From: Southwest Florida
Aux clutch pedal return spring installed
Today I installed an auxiliary clutch pedal return spring and it seems to be working perfectly. My 99 developed the sticking clutch pedal problem that I've heard others complain about here. The clutch pedal started sticking near the top of its return especially in cold weather. It didn't really affect performance or clutch operation since the pedal was sticking after full clutch engagement but before the pedal could return to the top. I was an annoyance, however, since you never really knew where the clutch pedal was going to be. I tried lubricating all the hinge points and the clutch master cylinder shaft but to no avail.
Since when this happens you only need a feather-light touch under the pedal to bring it back to position, I figured all it needed was a little more help. I installed a secondary spring between the metal post that holds the bottom dash panel on and the existing notch on the clutch pedal where the stock spring goes. Here's what it looks like:
The clutch pedal now feels more consistent through its range and returns to the top every time with no "notchiness". It is very smooth. I know that I'll probably eventually need a new master cylinder but this seemed to do the trick and may hold fine until I need a new clutch/master/everything anyway. I just thought this would help others. The spring doesn't get in the way of anything either or bind on anything. I even confirmed that if either end of the spring pops off, you can still easily and safely operate the clutch.
FWIW, I checked the stock spring and even took it apart to try to see what it did. That large spring that is already there does not appear to help the clutch pedal return to its top position! That spring doesn't even start to engage until the clutch is almost half way to the floor. From what I could tell, the existing spring is probably only to keep the clutch pedal from sticking all the way to the floor if the master cylinder loses all of it's "spring". It doesn't appear that the existing spring is intended to return the pedal to the top.
Mike
Since when this happens you only need a feather-light touch under the pedal to bring it back to position, I figured all it needed was a little more help. I installed a secondary spring between the metal post that holds the bottom dash panel on and the existing notch on the clutch pedal where the stock spring goes. Here's what it looks like:
The clutch pedal now feels more consistent through its range and returns to the top every time with no "notchiness". It is very smooth. I know that I'll probably eventually need a new master cylinder but this seemed to do the trick and may hold fine until I need a new clutch/master/everything anyway. I just thought this would help others. The spring doesn't get in the way of anything either or bind on anything. I even confirmed that if either end of the spring pops off, you can still easily and safely operate the clutch.
FWIW, I checked the stock spring and even took it apart to try to see what it did. That large spring that is already there does not appear to help the clutch pedal return to its top position! That spring doesn't even start to engage until the clutch is almost half way to the floor. From what I could tell, the existing spring is probably only to keep the clutch pedal from sticking all the way to the floor if the master cylinder loses all of it's "spring". It doesn't appear that the existing spring is intended to return the pedal to the top.
Mike
