Clutch return spring removal

[MikeyBRZ]

DO IT!

I search around and could find no reviews of anyone removing the spring. I just did it so I figured I would post.

To me, it now feels like a clutch again. It is stiffer, not too stiff, but more pedal force is required. It does not get hung up near the floor. Engagement is really easy to feel now. Overall, I am very pleased with how it feels without the spring.

Below are pictures. The rod comes out of the top very easily. I used a flat head to pry the clip off of the rod, then needle nosed pliers to pull out the rod.

Getting the spring assm to separate from the clutch pedal, now that was PITA! alot of force is needed to get the 2 disconnected.I ended up getting a long screw driver, pushing the clutch pedal to the floor, wedging it between the top part of the spring, then pulling with a decent amount of force on the clutch pedal and it finally pulled off. Those who do this will find out, and find their own way of separating the two.

The base mount for the spring does not need to be removed. It does not interfere with clutch pedal movement.

[Laika]

This looks really interesting, and combined with the clutch pedal adjustment, may be just what I'm looking for.

The clutch in this car makes it feel like a Fisher-Price-my-first-sports-car. My question is...can you subjectively compare the clutch to anything else?

Last time I drove a Coxster and then got back into my BRZ, I felt like I was about to kick the clutch right through the firewall because it's that much lighter than the Porsche. I don't want it to be Porsche (or any german car, really) level stiff but I would appreciate some more feedback than stock. I'd be happy if it just felt like any other manual from Japan. I remember the wrx/sti having a more solid feel. Toyota's (celica, mr2, etc) were more like our cars I'd say.

[Floggin Tires]

Interesting.
I take it with the return spring removed
the pedal will still return far enough
to not ride the clutch?

[mad_sb]

I'm not understanding how removing the return spring would make the pedal stiffer... especially since you have to compress the spring when you depress the clutch (or elongate it, either way it should add to the force required to depress the clutch.

Plus, if you ever happen to get air in the line your gonna have to lift the pedal with your foot while driving to pump the pedal.

I guess i don't understand the mechanism... google is giving me hits on return buffer spring removals... springs that seem to be used to slow the pedal travel back up from the floor....

[MikeyBRZ]

Laika , I had a early 02 WRX which had a stiffer clutch assm than later years. It feels close to that. My father drives a e46 m3. It's a bit less stiff than that.

Flogging, nope it's fully engaged.

Mad sb. I've lifted a few clutch pedals off the floor over the years. This clutch return spring, to me, seems like a recent addition to 3 pedal cars. And for a simple understanding, go lay down in the pedal area and push the clutch to the floor with your left hand. The spring rotates and elongates. The spring is helps to hold it against the stop but after a short travel to the floor it begins to rotate in the opposite direction to help in moving the pedal to the floor.

[RAWR BRZ]

Had something similar in my other car but it has two springs.. I took out one and left the other one there but noticed my clutch pedal began moving left and right. Does this happen to the frs/brz?

[mad_sb]

Originally Posted by MikeyBRZ

Laika , I had a early 02 WRX which had a stiffer clutch assm than later years. It feels close to that. My father drives a e46 m3. It's a bit less stiff than that.

Flogging, nope it's fully engaged.

Mad sb. I've lifted a few clutch pedals off the floor over the years. This clutch return spring, to me, seems like a recent addition to 3 pedal cars. And for a simple understanding, go lay down in the pedal area and push the clutch to the floor with your left hand. The spring rotates and elongates. The spring is helps to hold it against the stop but after a short travel to the floor it begins to rotate in the opposite direction to help in moving the pedal to the floor.

Yeah, i did some googling last night and found the M3 articles and a few others... I guess i always assumed the spring was just there to pull the pedal up and ADD to the pedal effort.

Some cars use a delay valve in the actual clutch master cylinder to slow engagement. Evo 8's and 9's did for sure.. it was a spring loaded bleed valve between the pressure line and the master cylinder body.

I may give this a shot and see how i like it, assuming it is reversible.

[MikeyBRZ]

RAWR BRZ, The clutch pedal is still solid as it should be.

mad sb.....I cant comment on reversibility as I am leaving mine out. Assuming u can make a jig to compress it outside the car then throw it over the base mount, putting it back on should not be too difficult.

[Chewie4299]

Assuming you get it out without scratching things up around the pedal area you could just go to the dealer and say you let another owner drive your car. He commented that your clutch pedal feels different so you took at look at both cars and noticed a spring missing.....

Let the dealer work it out

(I, personally, wouldn't do this but.....my brain was able to think up a logical story for getting it warranteed)

[Laika]

Originally Posted by Chewie4299

Assuming you get it out without scratching things up around the pedal area you could just go to the dealer and say you let another owner drive your car. He commented that your clutch pedal feels different so you took at look at both cars and noticed a spring missing.....

Let the dealer work it out

(I, personally, wouldn't do this but.....my brain was able to think up a logical story for getting it warranteed)

If your dealership likes you they'd probably just do this pro bono if you acknowledge it was a dumb move on your part (not saying it is, just waiting to hear more feedback before I do it)

[Shit Luck]

i was just thinking about how terrible my clutch pedal feels.. or should i say lacks feel terribly.
i need to hear more before i go in there.

[Norkoastal]

Keeping tabs on this thread.. Not digging the light return feel on the pedal, almost feels like i've worn something out..

[jeebus]

Interesting. I too think that pedal feel in this car is atrocious. I think the old Ridge Racer arcade game had more pedal feel.

[enjoyminutemaid]

I just removed the return spring in my brz. It seems to be a little bit stiffer closer to the floor, like the resistance in the clutch pedal is more linear and builds as you push it in farther. It only took me about 15 minutes, so I'd say it's worth it if you want a slightly stiffer pedal.