Just Installed C5 Clutch Spring
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 123
Likes: 0
From: az
So I guess you have removed the master cylinder rod with the spring removed to see if the pedal stays up on it's own? It really doesn't matter which pedal position makes the spring easier to install. All that tells you is it is under less tension at that position. Remove the master cylinder rod and watch how the spring IS a dual action spring.
True the spring is called an "assist spring" but they don't specify what it assist.
True the spring is called an "assist spring" but they don't specify what it assist.
all these people including my self that actually took off the spring and had put it back in to see what it does assist in reducing the clutch effort. are you saying we are all lying?
a year ago, there was even someone reported that he had to move the seat back slightly to adjust for this higher peal return position caused by the removed spring.funny my spring pulled it down with rod removed.
true, at least "they" didn't try to called it a return spring, since all of us that has removed it know it doesn't do returns. "they" sure didn't call it dual action either.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,551
Likes: 4
From: Livingston Texas
all these people including my self that actually took off the spring and had put it back in to see what it does assist in reducing the clutch effort. are you saying we are all lying? a year ago, there was even someone reported that he had to move the seat back slightly to adjust for this higher peal return position caused by the removed spring.
a year ago, there was even someone reported that he had to move the seat back slightly to adjust for this higher peal return position caused by the removed spring.
It will pull it down if you move the pedal down about an inch but did it instantly snap to the floor once you removed the rod? Did you try to pull the pedal back up with the spring installed, if so did it stay up on it's own? What held it up?
I know that when my master cylinder failed the pedal would stay stuck to the floor unless I pulled it back up. Once up it would stay up until pushed to the point where the spring pulled it down. When I removed the clutch rod I tested the same thing and the pedal would stay up as long as I didn't push it down around an inch.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 521
Likes: 0
From: Illinois
Just for the record (I'm sure it's posted in other places as well) but the correct GM replacement spring from a C5 is 12555205 the other part number (10376347) is the new C6 spring.
What I found interesting when I went to the Chevy dealer today was that:
12555205 was listed for 2001-2003
10376347 was listed for 2004-2008
I ordered the part from the dealer for $6.85. The other spring was $13.85.
What I found interesting when I went to the Chevy dealer today was that:
12555205 was listed for 2001-2003
10376347 was listed for 2004-2008
I ordered the part from the dealer for $6.85. The other spring was $13.85.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 20,054
Likes: 44
From: Swansea IL
Since I got this car 2 weeks ago, my only complaint was the clutch feel / engagement. After doing some reading on here, I came to the conclusion that I had pretty much had 2 choices: Take the C6 spring out and run it with no spring at all, which quite a few guys on here do......or......Order up and install the spring off of a C5. I decided to get the C5 spring...For $14.00 shipped from GM Parts Direct, it was worth it to have the added safety of having a spring installed, eventhough some say it is not necessary to have one at all..... If it wasn't any better, I would only be out the $14.
So, this morning I pulled the car out of the garage and installed the spring. Removal and installation was a snap, as a matter of fact the hardest part of the whole thing was getting up under the dash.
I could tell right away while backing the car out of the driveway that I had made the right decision. The clutch engagement is much more linear, more like a C5 or F-Body. The pedal is a little heavier, which I like also. Slipping the clutch in first is a lot smoother because there seems to be increased pedal control now. The biggest thing I noticed is that the clutch no longer has an ON/OFF feel to it.
All in all, it is the best $14 I've spent in a while. Anyone debating on doing this...Just Do It!
So, this morning I pulled the car out of the garage and installed the spring. Removal and installation was a snap, as a matter of fact the hardest part of the whole thing was getting up under the dash.
I could tell right away while backing the car out of the driveway that I had made the right decision. The clutch engagement is much more linear, more like a C5 or F-Body. The pedal is a little heavier, which I like also. Slipping the clutch in first is a lot smoother because there seems to be increased pedal control now. The biggest thing I noticed is that the clutch no longer has an ON/OFF feel to it.
All in all, it is the best $14 I've spent in a while. Anyone debating on doing this...Just Do It!
The C5's have a smoother "take up" less stutter and none of the very small engagement window "light switch on/off" feel.
For less than $10 I have nothing to loose.
Tom
Pro
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 521
Likes: 0
From: Illinois
Just changed mine out today. As stated the hardest part is getting up in there to get it out but it's not that bad.
The C5 spring is quite a bit smaller but does the same job as the larger spring, just with a MUCH better feel.
This is by far one of those mods that if your on the fence, get off, go to your local Chevy dealer or order online and do it. You will be so happy with the difference!
As I was driving it this afternoon, I had to think to myself, just why did GM decide to change this spring out for the C6 cars...? It's really one of those things that I just can't see the guy testing it saying 'yea this works better than before'...
The C5 spring is quite a bit smaller but does the same job as the larger spring, just with a MUCH better feel.
This is by far one of those mods that if your on the fence, get off, go to your local Chevy dealer or order online and do it. You will be so happy with the difference!
As I was driving it this afternoon, I had to think to myself, just why did GM decide to change this spring out for the C6 cars...? It's really one of those things that I just can't see the guy testing it saying 'yea this works better than before'...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,375
Likes: 1
From: Northern CA
Just changed mine out today. As stated the hardest part is getting up in there to get it out but it's not that bad.
The C5 spring is quite a bit smaller but does the same job as the larger spring, just with a MUCH better feel.
This is by far one of those mods that if your on the fence, get off, go to your local Chevy dealer or order online and do it. You will be so happy with the difference!
As I was driving it this afternoon, I had to think to myself, just why did GM decide to change this spring out for the C6 cars...? It's really one of those things that I just can't see the guy testing it saying 'yea this works better than before'...
The C5 spring is quite a bit smaller but does the same job as the larger spring, just with a MUCH better feel.
This is by far one of those mods that if your on the fence, get off, go to your local Chevy dealer or order online and do it. You will be so happy with the difference!
As I was driving it this afternoon, I had to think to myself, just why did GM decide to change this spring out for the C6 cars...? It's really one of those things that I just can't see the guy testing it saying 'yea this works better than before'...
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Pro
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 555
Likes: 25
From: Jefferson County Alabama
Just for the record (I'm sure it's posted in other places as well) but the correct GM replacement spring from a C5 is 12555205 the other part number (10376347) is the new C6 spring.
What I found interesting when I went to the Chevy dealer today was that:
12555205 was listed for 2001-2003
10376347 was listed for 2004-2008
I ordered the part from the dealer for $6.85. The other spring was $13.85.
What I found interesting when I went to the Chevy dealer today was that:
12555205 was listed for 2001-2003
10376347 was listed for 2004-2008
I ordered the part from the dealer for $6.85. The other spring was $13.85.
parts guy said he showed 97 - 03 model spring
FYI
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,226
Likes: 45
From: Castleton VA
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
Not much to it -- I just removed mine from my C5. Get a light, get under the dash, and the spring is in plain sight. The center of the spring straddles the lever, and the two outer ends sit in holes in side brackets. A quick couple pry motions with a flat-blade screwdriver, and the spring ends are out. You can then just lift the center of the spring out of the white plastic clip on the clutch lever.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,208
Likes: 1
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 8,744
Likes: 2
From: The King of Bling
St. Jude Donor '10
Do these spring weaken over time. I recently purchased a GTS and first thing I noticed was the increased clutch pressure in the snake. Last night I drove the Z06 for the first time in a few weeks and thought to myself, oh my god, what a difference. The Z06 was so much liighter and shorter distance. Today I took the Z out again and I thought that it was much stiffer and felt like the Viper. First thing I thought is that this spring probably broke. When I got home from the show I checked and it looks fine. I then felt the Viper pedal and it felt about the same or possibly lighter which makes me think either I am going crazy or my vette spring weakened overnight. 
Car is super low mile and has never been beaten and has the fluid is crystal clear and changed regularly despite the low miles.
Has anybody else noticed the pedal getting harder over time?
Car is super low mile and has never been beaten and has the fluid is crystal clear and changed regularly despite the low miles. Has anybody else noticed the pedal getting harder over time?
Pro
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 693
Likes: 2
From: Los Angeles CA
Yes, I've broken the C6 spring 3 times. Every time a new one is installed the pedal is ridiculously light, it goes down with a soft touch and very difficult to drive. Then it gets cold worked and gets stiffer and stiffer, until one day it snaps. Like bending a paperclip back and forth. Currently I am running with 1/2 C6 spring (other 1/2 is broken and on the floor tucked under the mat near where it dropped). I haven't taken it in to replace, because I have noticed the clutch feels best to me with the 1/2 spring. Too light with new one, too heavy and has some play without any spring, feels just right with 1/2 spring still in there.
I am thinking this C5 spring will probably feel like what I am currently feeling with the 1/2 spring. Debating whether I should remove the remaining 1/2 broken spring and pop in the C5 spring or keep running the 1/2 spring until it breaks off also, then get the C5 spring...
I am thinking this C5 spring will probably feel like what I am currently feeling with the 1/2 spring. Debating whether I should remove the remaining 1/2 broken spring and pop in the C5 spring or keep running the 1/2 spring until it breaks off also, then get the C5 spring...
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 4,598
Likes: 78
From: Miami FL
2020 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16,'17,'18-'19-'20-'21-'22
You described my C6 to a T. The C6 clutch just doesn't feel like the C5. I thought I better double check so I asked a few C5 buddies to drop by for some back to back test drives. I test drive 4 manual transmission cars ranging from a 99 with 84K miles to a mint ultra low mileage Z16.
The C5's have a smoother "take up" less stutter and none of the very small engagement window "light switch on/off" feel.
For less than $10 I have nothing to loose.
Tom
The C5's have a smoother "take up" less stutter and none of the very small engagement window "light switch on/off" feel.
For less than $10 I have nothing to loose.
Tom
Tom, have you made the switch yet? Results, impressions?
Thanx in advance, Lee
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 4,598
Likes: 78
From: Miami FL
2020 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16,'17,'18-'19-'20-'21-'22
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,208
Likes: 1
I ordered the C5 spring and will put it in friday. Have read nothing but good reviews--no negatives, and that is unusual in itself. If it stops the jerking when engaging the clutch at low speed it will be the best 7 bucks I've spent on a car. 
I'm "Apache" a psycho dog
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 3,085
Likes: 31
From: N.J.
I installed the C5 spring #12555205 a few days ago and have put on about 100 miles, it definetly has a better feel, a more precise engagement feeling, better contact feeling shifting between gears.
Unfortunetly the chatter is still present(disappointed about that, was hoping for a easy fix) although it is a bit less.
I want to put more miles on before i deciede if i will make a trip the the service dept, live with it, or change to aftermarket or even a C5 part# clutch
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,208
Likes: 1
I installed the C5 spring #12555205 a few days ago and have put on about 100 miles, it definetly has a better feel, a more precise engagement feeling, better contact feeling shifting between gears.
Unfortunetly the chatter is still present(disappointed about that, was hoping for a easy fix) although it is a bit less.
I want to put more miles on before i deciede if i will make a trip the the service dept, live with it, or change to aftermarket or even a C5 part# clutch
Unfortunetly the chatter is still present(disappointed about that, was hoping for a easy fix) although it is a bit less.
I want to put more miles on before i deciede if i will make a trip the the service dept, live with it, or change to aftermarket or even a C5 part# clutch
The chatter sounds like another problem--never have had it with my '06. Good luck.