Clutch pedal spring
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 636
Likes: 2
From: Lumberton TX
Clutch pedal spring
How many of you guys run around without a clutch pedal spring? I know many were raveing about how great the C5 spring is over the C6, so I got one and I really can't tell a lot of difference. But when I drove the car without a spring all together, it has a stiff positive feel.
So how many run without a clutch spring and have you had any problems doing this? Thanks
So how many run without a clutch spring and have you had any problems doing this? Thanks
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,732
Likes: 2
From: Naples FL
I DON'T use one and have had ZERO problems. MANY people will say it is bad and the world will end but as far as I know NO ONE has had any problems.
P.S. Mine isn't a Sunday cruiser, I get my monies worth out of all my ponies everyday!!
P.S. Mine isn't a Sunday cruiser, I get my monies worth out of all my ponies everyday!!
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 14,950
Likes: 264
From: St. Louis, MO
St. Jude Donor '08
I daily drive mine and drag race the heck out of it. I've had the spring out for months with zero problems. The pedal comes all the way up on its own, you can't pull it up any further. I had to take it out or the clutch would stick down while drag racing after I put in the cam.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 636
Likes: 2
From: Lumberton TX
I daily drive mine and drag race the heck out of it. I've had the spring out for months with zero problems. The pedal comes all the way up on its own, you can't pull it up any further. I had to take it out or the clutch would stick down while drag racing after I put in the cam.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 14,950
Likes: 264
From: St. Louis, MO
St. Jude Donor '08
Yes, I have 200+ dragstrip runs on my stock clutch. Never a problem with bolt-ons but with the increased power of the cam it started sticking down shifting at the strip. I've been flushing my fluid before andafrer every track event since the car was new. Not that uncommon to have this problem when you increase horsepower. All my buddies have faced it and replaced their stock clutches. I'm holding out as long as I can.
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Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: San Clemente CA
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 636
Likes: 2
From: Lumberton TX
I would have to say that I think that all the clutch assist spring is there for is just that, to assist. It's there to keep a light pedal for older folks or ladies that want a soft and easy to push pedal.
All that's happening when you push in the pedal is the hydraulic fluid is being tranferred from the master cylinder to the slave cylinder. Then the slave cylinder compresses on the pressure plate which disengages the clutch from the flywheel.
So the spring shouldn't have anything to do with the mastercylinder staying up or uncompressed, because the hydraulic fluid in the line will be holding pressure on the mastercylinder. Anyone out there can correct me if I'm wrong.
All that's happening when you push in the pedal is the hydraulic fluid is being tranferred from the master cylinder to the slave cylinder. Then the slave cylinder compresses on the pressure plate which disengages the clutch from the flywheel.
So the spring shouldn't have anything to do with the mastercylinder staying up or uncompressed, because the hydraulic fluid in the line will be holding pressure on the mastercylinder. Anyone out there can correct me if I'm wrong.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 14,950
Likes: 264
From: St. Louis, MO
St. Jude Donor '08
I would have to say that I think that all the clutch assist spring is there for is just that, to assist. It's there to keep a light pedal for older folks or ladies that want a soft and easy to push pedal.
All that's happening when you push in the pedal is the hydraulic fluid is being tranferred from the master cylinder to the slave cylinder. Then the slave cylinder compresses on the pressure plate which disengages the clutch from the flywheel.
So the spring shouldn't have anything to do with the mastercylinder staying up or uncompressed, because the hydraulic fluid in the line will be holding pressure on the mastercylinder. Anyone out there can correct me if I'm wrong.
All that's happening when you push in the pedal is the hydraulic fluid is being tranferred from the master cylinder to the slave cylinder. Then the slave cylinder compresses on the pressure plate which disengages the clutch from the flywheel.
So the spring shouldn't have anything to do with the mastercylinder staying up or uncompressed, because the hydraulic fluid in the line will be holding pressure on the mastercylinder. Anyone out there can correct me if I'm wrong.
The pressure plate fingers push back against the slave when the clutch is engaged which in turn keeps the pedal up.
What I found odd is with the spring out, you can actually feel the clutch pushing back against your foot as you pass about 4500 rpms if you keep your foot on the clutch pedal as you would when you are drag racing or even doing a bit of spirited driving.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 988
Likes: 4
From: Livermore CA
Loose the spring!
I'll repost my response from another clutch spring thread.
The spring on both the C5 and C6 functions as an over center spring to assist the driver in holding the clutch pedal down, like when at a stop light. Either spring definately causes the clutch to loose a linear progressive feel and makes the clutch harder to modulate. With the spring in the pedal pressure builds up as you depress it and about 2/3rds of the way down the assist spring rocks over center and makes the pedal pressure drop off. I have removed the spring from both my C5 and now my C6 and without and pedal sticking issues, I change my clutch fluid on a regular basis with a turkey baster about once a month, it takes less than 5 minutes. Immediately upon picking up my C6 I noticed the non-linear spring and thought did GM put that stupid limp leg spring in the C6 also. Out it came, nice clutch without it, I can feel what the pressure plate spring it really doing.
The spring on both the C5 and C6 functions as an over center spring to assist the driver in holding the clutch pedal down, like when at a stop light. Either spring definately causes the clutch to loose a linear progressive feel and makes the clutch harder to modulate. With the spring in the pedal pressure builds up as you depress it and about 2/3rds of the way down the assist spring rocks over center and makes the pedal pressure drop off. I have removed the spring from both my C5 and now my C6 and without and pedal sticking issues, I change my clutch fluid on a regular basis with a turkey baster about once a month, it takes less than 5 minutes. Immediately upon picking up my C6 I noticed the non-linear spring and thought did GM put that stupid limp leg spring in the C6 also. Out it came, nice clutch without it, I can feel what the pressure plate spring it really doing.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 915
Likes: 1
From: UK
Ran without a spring for about 2-weeks. Didn't notice any ill-effects (but wouldn't expect to in that short space of time). Due to the scare-mongering (which I believe is probably just Internet hysteria) about running without a spring, I installed a C5 spring. The difference over the C6 spring is slight, but noticeable to me. The clutch is now just about perfectly weighted for a daily-driver, IMO. Feel could be better, but that's more down to the DESIGN of the clutch itself, I would think.
Cheers,
Ian.
Cheers,
Ian.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 223
Likes: 0
From: Casper WY
Removed mine and it helped greatly! I have never killed my engine taking off since. It just had the weirdest feel with the spring. Had to concentrate way too much to try and drive smooth with it. No problems since. Been out a year.....Craig
Racer
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 435
Likes: 4
I love my C6 but hate the feel of the clutch (my only serious complaint). I also have a C4 and I feel so much more in control (clutch-wise) in the C4. I am going to remove the C6 spring and hope the clutch feels like it should.
My take was that GM designed the light clutch in the C6 for "less serious drivers", just like they widened the seats to accommodate bigger butts.
My take was that GM designed the light clutch in the C6 for "less serious drivers", just like they widened the seats to accommodate bigger butts.