Clutch spring?

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Apr 2, 2010 | 01:56 PM

CFR5

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Joined: Feb 2009

Posts: 101

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From: Virginia Beach Virginia

Clutch spring?

So I was driving my car today and pressed the clutch in and heard a pop, then when I got home I noticed there was a coil/spring sitting on my floor board. I looked underneath and noticed where there once were 2 springs there is now only 1. I dont know much about cars but im assuming the clutch has 2 springs that normally return it, and 1 of them popped off. Has anyone ever heard of this happening or had it happen to them, and is it a hard fix? Thanks

Apr 2, 2010 | 06:23 PM

MontereyRedC6

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Joined: Jul 2006

Posts: 731

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From: Bedford Texas

Cruise-In IX Veteran

St. Jude Donor '09

Quote:

Originally Posted by CFR5

The spring broke. This is a common issue. Many people have driven without the "assist" spring. Mine broke a couple of weeks ago and I have not replaced it yet. Some like the way it feels without the assist. Others have replaced it with the smaller C5 spring with success. Cost on either one is less than $10. They are somewhat hard to pull into position. Do a search to find the sucessful way to do it. I'll likely replace mine with the C5 spring as I would like more feel. I have heard some speculation that it may cause problems to leave it off. Someone else can add info on possible issues. Good luck!

Apr 2, 2010 | 07:22 PM

VET4LES

Team Owner

Joined: Oct 2004

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From: San Clemente CA

If your thinking of leaving it out read this link first.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...ml?forum_id=74

Apr 3, 2010 | 12:05 AM

Mez

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From: Austin, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Houston, Dallas, Hong Kong, Elgin, etc.. Texas

Mine broke last month. Ordered and installed the C5 spring. Its a bit@h to install because you have to lay on your back in the driver's foot well. Especially if you are a fat old guy like me. Once I squeezed myself in there and took a flashlight, it only took a minute or 2. There are instructions in the forum.

Apr 3, 2010 | 12:38 AM

vette6500

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Joined: Jun 2005

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From: Los Angeles CA

if you lucked out and still have 1/2 the spring left intact. don't do anything! that is the best compromise of pedal feel and slightly higher effort.

Apr 5, 2010 | 05:17 PM

CFR5

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Instructor

Joined: Feb 2009

Posts: 101

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From: Virginia Beach Virginia

I called a local shop today and was told it's about an hours worth of labor because there's some housing they have o remove or something...does this sound about right? I'm just trying to make sure I explained the situation correctly. Thanks

Apr 5, 2010 | 05:48 PM

Mez

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Joined: Jun 1999

Posts: 3,570

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From: Austin, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Houston, Dallas, Hong Kong, Elgin, etc.. Texas

Quote:

Originally Posted by CFR5

No, that does not sound right. Perhaps your mechanic thinks it takes an hour, but it does not.

This was my first time and it literally took me no more than 5 minutes. That includes figuring out how to unclip the foot well light and which way the spring gets inserted.

Step 1: Remove the 6" x 8" plastic cover below the steering column and behind the clutch pedal. This is held in place with 4 plastic push pins. If you are familiar with push pins, then you know they will just pull out.

Step 2: Unclip the foot well light plug from the backside of the panel so you can get it completely out of the way.

Step 3: Remove the old broken spring. Half of it may still be there.

Step 4: Slip the two ends of the new spring into the bracket holes on either side of the clutch pedal.

Step 5: Swing the spring up away from the floor or toward the windshield to clear the clutch pedal.

Step 6: Depress the clutch pedal all the way.

Step 7: Rotate the spring back down and snap the middle loop into the notch on the clutch pedal.

Step 8: Reinstall the foot well light into the plastic panel then reinstall the panel using the original push pins.

Do a search in the forum and there are probably better instructions.

Last edited by Mez; Apr 8, 2010 at 07:56 AM.