Removed the clutch spring and instantly felt what the clutch should feel like.

I also noticed I do not have any more of the "free play" at the top of the clutch I had with the clutch spring in place.

Is this ok? I am worried that it might be resting on the pressure plate causing premature wear and tear.

I looked up people taking the spring out and not having issues, but I wanted to make sure other members are experiencing the same thing.

I appreciate any feedback.

 

I have been running without the spring for 2 years now.

45000 miles no issues, on the original stock clutch.

Ben

 

Mine has been out for around 20000 miles , no problems. If your pedal fully returns to the top of its travel, you are good to go. If your pedal hangs down a bit, install a C5 spring, thats the next best thing.

 

Full pedal travel is necessary for proper fluid exchange in the reservoir - but the spring MAY be optional.

 

Mine broke on my 02Z. The clutch felt better with it. It should be there
according to GM. Not so smart removing it IMO. but others like it out!

 

C5 spring!

 

Thanks for everyone's reply. After I took it out, I noticed that I was able to pull up on the pedal just a tiny bit; nothing too major, but I wanted to make sure that was ok.

It's kind of a PITA to take the spring in and out so I was wondering if anyone else noticed what I did.

 

Winner Winner Chicken dinner! Thats why it's there!

 

I would advise against it. I did it for 5-7k miles and noticed that the pedal was not returning all the way up. Also, the ranger method for changing the clutch fluid was not working either when car was cold(would not circulate fluid into reservoir).

I put the spring back and there was a howling noise coming from the clutch housing as the spring brought the pedal all the way up. It eventually went away, but I can hear my throw -out bearing occasionally when clutch is depressed. There is a bulletin as well advising against removing the spring.

Use the C5 spring if you want more feel. Change the fluid often and you should be fine.

 

To the OP:

Here is the TSB that was mentioned by tdelena. I posted it in another thread. I am providing the link FYI so you can make an educated choice.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/1569764147-post3.html

BJK

 

While I agree with the advisory, there is variation from car to car. Rather than allow interpretation , GM states for the worst case , and advises against spring removal. My appraisal of the data is, if your clutch pedal returns fully, without the spring, your car does not require the spring,[ pedal can't be driven any further up than up ] If your clutch pedal does not fully return, [hangs down 1/2 inch or more], your car needs the spring. In that case , the C5 spring is preferred as it is not as numb as the C6 spring.

 

Thanks...I wasnt anxious enough to get to Vegas...now I'm going crazy!!

I dont know of any one that ever had a problem because of not using it, or using the C5 spring. The TSB is for GM's own protection...if you look hard enough, you'll find it's against GM's policy to remove the CAGS feature, install an aftermarket electronics item, use non runflats, etc. If they have to fix it for free, they want the car to remain as built, which is completely understandable....but I will always listen to people's actual experience and make my own judgment with something like this.

I also run fine without it, and it cured the "pedal sticking to the floor" problem that a lot of us get. I know of almost a dozen guys personally that took it out completely, they are fine and happier too. You will not get premature wear, there is nothing resting on the plate etc. That might be an issue with an old style mechanical linkage clutch, not with a hydraulic design. What GM contends is that running without it "MAY" cause a leaking issue inside the clutch master, but there hasnt been a single incident of that "could be problem" found here...there are way more reports of contaminated fluid from a bad design that Ranger proved and found a solution to. GM also says that his procedure of swapping fluid is a no-no, even though it helps thousands...GM denied the problem exists.

 

Never saw where GM says "Don't change the clutch fluid" or is it just not listed in there reccomended maintence? I have been driving clutches for many miles as thats all I buy. Only owned a few Auto's
compared to the sticks. 37 years of driving! My clutch in my car feels good! My spring broke in my 02Z! The pedal sagged down a little and didn't return to the top and felt like crap. It felt and preformed much better with the spring in! Exactly why GM has spent many thousands of dollars buying and putting that little spring in!
No matter what of the "opinion's here" that say "take the spring out" from the ones that took it out either 1. Clutch worked better as far as your beating the snot out of it and they think the spring out cured the dread stick to the floor.
2. Don't know what it should feel like in the first place!

It's not the right move for me on these cars, Plus there's lots of Young people getting Corvettes at 20 years old or less and they have no clue
as to what a clutch should feel like. So they read this run out and yank the clutch spring. I haven't seen the clutch to the floor issue for 10 years. My 98 did it to me once! Counting miles on lt-1 6speeds or
ls-1, ls-6 and ls-3's. I come up with 300,000 plus miles, problem free! Plus try this test! Take it to the dealer to a GOOD tech with the spring out!
Let him drive it for one second! He will say your clutch spring is gone
and needs replaced.
Do as you please with yours and don't shoot the messenger!

 

Took spring out 2 years ago. Once I put cam in and increased RWHP to 436 the clutch would stick to the floor on drag race runs. C5 spring did the same thing. I actually like the feel better with the spring but taking it out saved me from replacing a clutch.

195 6000+RPM drag strip launches and 17,959 daily driving miles later, I'd say based on my experience taking out the spring has no effect on the clutch. I don't think anyone on this board has abused their clutch with 6k drag strip launches like I have. I am religious about the turkey baster clutch fluid changes, before and after each track event.

 

Thanks again for everyone's input on this. For such an insignificant question, I could not ask for any more or better help with this.

For the record, I did like the way the clutch felt, but I was a little concerned with pedal not returning all the way up.

I have a C5 spring on order and will try that when it comes in.

Thanks again for everyone's help.

 

I put a C5 spring in mine with 50 miles on the car.....It's much better, but now 2 years later, I'm debating taking the spring out alltogether....Back in 07 when I got my car new, it was a big "no no" to eliminate the spring....People thought it would lead to clutch disengagement issues.

 

I did the C5 spring a couple years ago and even though I thought the improvement was dramatic, it still wasn't great feeling. So I am also thinking about taking the thing out althogether.

Since 1972 I've had 15 manual transmission cars and trucks, including the Vette I have three now and the Vette clutch feels worse than any other car I've ever had. I also just can't get used to it like I have with other cars with 'different' feeling clutches.

I have never read a post on this forum from someone who removed the spring and had a problem. I'm going to try my luck and pull it completely.

 

After my clutch return assist spring broke running laps at the track, I drove the car for a couple weeks without the spring. I didn't find any advantage to driving without it (and I never had any problems using it)so I replaced it with the correct C6 spring. If you opt to replace the spring (with either the C5 or C6 spring) know that it's very simple to replace. Here's a thread that may help:

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-t...ing-in-c6.html

 

I removed mine recently. After getting used to the increased pressure and driving for several weeks I found that I could more repeatably slip the clutch in precisely. My pedal returns fully without the spring. Can't see any harm to it as long as I monitor the pedal to see if it returns fully as the clutch wears. At only 5400 miles, I think there's probably plenty of miles until that point is reached.

 

My ram hd clutch is slipping about a month after I removed my spring. Im putting it back in with a level 3 monster clutch and chromoly flywheel. Im going to use Motul 600 as well. Seems like from what I've read this is ok for stock clutches but burns out a aftermarket clutch. Not sure just from what Ive gathered.