Can't find the clutch pedal return spring....help

[kensmith]

I can see the brake pedal return spring but no clutch pedal return spring. Is it hidden or maybe I don't have one? 1978 124 Spider. Also, is the clutch cable under the hood inside the green housing?

[fiasco]

I can see the brake pedal return spring but no clutch pedal return spring. Is it hidden or maybe I don't have one? 1978 124 Spider. Also, is the clutch cable under the hood inside the green housing?

Neither of my cars ('76 and '69) had return springs on the clutch pedal. There is a spring underneath the car that connects to the clutch lever and the transmission case. This spring pulls the lever back into position - pulling back against the direction that the cable pulls when you depress the pedal. In this way it acts like a return spring.

Here's a link to the thread where folks gave me advice on how to complete this job the first time I did it.

http://fiatspider.com/f08/viewtopic.php ... utch+cable

-- se

[kensmith]

Well, I would agree as I can't find one but both my Clymer and Fiat shop manual shows there is. So what the heck?? The cable pushes the pedal back into position?

[fiasco]

When you push the pedal down it pivots on its fulcrum and the fork at the top pulls the cable toward you. The cable pulls the clutch lever under the car forward, against the tension of the spring that connects the lever to the trans case. When you release the pedal, the spring underneath the car pulls the lever back, which pulls the cable, which pulls the fork at the top of the pedal back away from you, which pivots on its fulcrum pushing the pedal back toward you.

As a side note, my '69 was originally missing the spring underneath the car. The tension within the clutch itself had no problem pushing the lever back into position and returning the pedal to its original position. I put a spring on anyway, but I'm just saying that it didn't really seem to need it. Which makes me think that the clutch pedal return spring is probably unnecessary, and possibly overkill - but now I've exceeded my expertise.

-- se

[ventura ace]

The external spring keeps the throwout bearing away from the clutch fingers. Without it, the throwout bearing could constantly be rubbing against the clutch fingers -- not a good thing.

The clutch pedal spring under the steering column has 2 functions. For about 1/2 of the pedal stroke, it acts like a return spring to bring the pedal back up. However when you push it a little further, the geometry is such that it helps push the clutch pedal to the floor. You should be able to get one from one of the Fiat parts vendors that actually work on Fiats, like Mark Allison, since they usually have some parts around from junked cars. There are 2 pieces that you will need: the spring and the s-shaped hook that it is attached to.

Alvon

[kmead]

To install the spring a good trick is to use pennies between the coils to extend its length. there isn't enough room under there to easily stretch it unless you have arms and hands like the good governor.

[kensmith]

OK, so if I understand this, there should be 2 clutch springs, one under the car at the clutch fork and the second one which I don't have under the steering column mount. Does anyone have a pic of the one under the steering column mount?

[kmead]

A search revealed this thread which has a fine pic of the spring and associated hook in place:

http://www.fiatspider.com/f08/viewtopic ... all#p24498

[kensmith]

A search revealed this thread which has a fine pic of the spring and associated hook in place:

http://www.fiatspider.com/f08/viewtopic ... all#p24498

Perfect! I definately don't have one. Thanks!

[kensmith]

I was looking for the clutch pedal return spring at the pedal and found this information: http://www.spiderroadster.com/75.htm
So does this mean the return spring is not needed? Why did they have it if not needed?
Or is the spring at the clutch fork area sufficient making the pedal spring unnecessary?
Thanks

[TulsaSpider]

Nobody seems to bother with it it doesn't help and it doesn't hurt!

[RoyBatty]

I was able to find an appropriate spring hanging up in the local NAPA store.
The hook was already bent into the short end and the long end was left straight.
I just hooked the short end to the throwout bearing fork and eye-balled where the back end should be cut and bent to hook into the loop in the transmission. Easy.

[azygoustoyou]

Did you take a pic so we could see.

[kensmith]

I was able to find an appropriate spring hanging up in the local NAPA store.
The hook was already bent into the short end and the long end was left straight.
I just hooked the short end to the throwout bearing fork and eye-balled where the back end should be cut and bent to hook into the loop in the transmission. Easy.

I was referring to the spring at the clutch pedal.