Stiff Clutch pedal?

[niro884]

My clutch works fine, but the pedal seems stiff. Not sure if its supposed to be really loose? Is tightness a good thing, bad thing or normal. It's never popped out of gear or grinded. Can the cable be adjusted for tension? I did find a spring underneath that wasnt connected to anything. Is this part of the clutch pedal because I understand that there are 2 springs for the pedal? Where does it go because I hear its a bitch to install.

Thanks

[mbouse]

yeah, there are two springs that connect one to each end of that clutch pedal.

there is one spring at the pedal end which incorporates the use of a very strange looking "s" hook... and this is a PITA to install. the intent of this spring is to return the pedal to the proper position.

the other spring is at the other end. it connects to the tranny housing, and to the clutch fork. the intent of this spring is to return the clutch fork to the proper resting position.

neither have a significant (if any) affect on the feel of the pedal.

how old is your clutch? what i discovered when we purchased the '78 was that the clutch was completely wore out, though it seemed to function well. a clutch plate spring had gotten stuck and was binding the clutch...hence an extremely difficult push on the pedal. so bad that we popped the end off the clutch pedal before we made it to the tranny shop to get a new clutch.

[niro884]

yeah, there are two springs that connect one to each end of that clutch pedal.

there is one spring at the pedal end which incorporates the use of a very strange looking "s" hook... and this is a PITA to install. the intent of this spring is to return the pedal to the proper position.

the other spring is at the other end. it connects to the tranny housing, and to the clutch fork. the intent of this spring is to return the clutch fork to the proper resting position.

neither have a significant (if any) affect on the feel of the pedal.

how old is your clutch? what i discovered when we purchased the '78 was that the clutch was completely wore out, though it seemed to function well. a clutch plate spring had gotten stuck and was binding the clutch...hence an extremely difficult push on the pedal. so bad that we popped the end off the clutch pedal before we made it to the tranny shop to get a new clutch.

I have only had the car for a year. The previous owner said the clutch was replaced about 6 years ago soooooo......I will get my mechanic to check it out for safety but if it aint broken, dont fix it i guess. Thanks Mike

[So Cal Mark]

be careful, a binding cable or pedal can result in a broken firewall or pedal

[mbouse]

mark is right.... i nearly forgot that besides popping the end off the cable, the fingers tore on the pedal.

[perthling]

I've gone through a few cables over time. They seem to bind up particularly where the cable bends around the engine bay. Mind you, this is more of an issue on RHD cars than LHD cars I suspect. A colleague has recommended using motorcycle chain lube to lubricate the cable internals if the issue is the cable itself.

[gigi]

Ok, keep in mind I have very limited mechanical knowledge and rely completely on my mechanic's mastery. That said, I too had an issue with stiffness in the clutch pedal. That's understating a bit. By stiffness, really, a more correct description would be left-calf-charlie-horse-every-time-I-got-stuck-in-traffic. Completely by accident, Coop (The Mechanic) discovered that spring was 'upside-down'. Please don't ask how, why, or what for he was poking around under the driverseat for. Anyway, he corrected it. The difference is like night and day. That pedal is so smooth now that I can drive all the way to work in heels. I no longer carry a spare pair of 'driving shoes' with me, ever. I just love that! I love my car!

[TulsaSpider]

I am pretty sure I don't have the infamous 2nd spring. Am I hurting something?

[mbouse]

which spring is the infamous one? the clutch pedal return spring? or the clutch fork spring?

no, missing either does not "hurt", but replacing the missing spring always helps.

[rlux4]

Quote Gigi: "That pedal is so smooth now that I can drive all the way to work in heels."
Please excuse my bad memory Gigi, but I can't remember if you introduced yourself originally as a female. I'm sure hoping so.
Ron

[TulsaSpider]

Mike,
I am thinking I have the clutch pedal return. It doesn't have any strange "S" hook.

[LEWISDR]

Gigi,

Was this upside down spring underneath the car or inside the cabin?

I have the same issue on mine.

Dan
81 Spider
Vermont

[ventura ace]

Here's a few pics that might help to clarify. There are 3 springs (at least) that are related to this topic. The strongest is the clutch pressure plate spring assy. The triangular shaped fingers pointed toward the center of the pressure plate are part of this spring system. When you are pushing the clutch pedal, most of the force is going toward compressing these springs. If your clutch is adjusted correctly, you'll start to feel the resistance from this spring after the pedal has moved about 1".


The spring that is achored to the driver side of the transmission case and connected to the throwout bearing lever is shown here.
and again here, as shown installed


This spring pulls the throwout bearing away from the clutch pressure plate fingers when you release the clutch, and also pulls the clutch cable snugly on the bottom end, which keeps the top end of the cable snugly positioned in the clutch pedal prongs, which in turn helps return the clutch pedal to the 'up' position.

The larger spring under the steering column connects to the 'S' link, which is connected to the clutch pedal (the spring on the left in the picture below). For about the first 1/3 of the clutch motion, it's working against you (slightly) and helps to return the pedal to the 'up' position, but as you push the clutch pedal further past halfway of its motion, the geometry of the pedal assy is such that the spring helps 'pull' the pedal down to the floor. This spring is somewhat of a challenge to attach, and I've seen several cars that no longer have this spring (probably because the mechanic gave up on trying to get it re-attached!). You can get by without this spring, but it is better to have it installed.


BTW, the spring on the right in the above picture is the brake pedal return spring.

Alvon

[TulsaSpider]

Ok thanks so much Alvon, that couldn't be more clear!
Cheers!
Clark

[TulsaSpider]

Well since my clutch broke I was replacing it after work and I remembered this post. Low and behold I have no springs at all under the dash. Who knows what the length of the small spring to the right? I'll just go find one and save shipping. Anyone have an S hook and spring that they could send me?