Clutch return spring removal

[stueck9356]

I am debating on doing this, where I want the clutch to engage is right where the helper spring goes from 'rotating up' to 'rotating down' so at the top of the clutch pedal it has almost no pressure, and sometimes gets stuck about an inch low until the spring 'pops' the other way and applies upward force on the pedal. The engagement point is PERFECT at that spot, but the spring ruins it for me.

How much of a % stiffer would you say it is? 25%?

[wheelhaus]

Does the spring delete help the clutch pedal throw to feel more linear (i.e. you feel the clutch diaphragm spring more), or stiffer for the entire travel, or just stiffer in one area of travel?

I've been driving Subarus for nearly a decade so I'm kind of used to them, but have always felt like the clutch feels a bit vague. I'm the adaptive type, I try learn how a mechanism feels and then persist with it to find how to utilize it most effectively. Even still I sometimes wished the clutch had a more linear feel where the clutch's diaphragm spring felt more palpable in the stroke...

[enjoyminutemaid]

FWIW, I ended up reinstalling my helper spring. I feel that it provides a more precise feel, even if the pedal action could be firmer.

[FR-Slide]

Originally Posted by enjoyminutemaid

FWIW, I ended up reinstalling my helper spring. I feel that it provides a more precise feel, even if the pedal action could be firmer.

Hmm, this is good to know.

I've been looking into this, as I just adjusted my clutch and installed a clutch stop this weekend. I really love the shorter throw, but the numbness in the top half of the travel still really bugs me. I was thinking that removing the spring may make the pedal a bit stiffer at the top (like it is at the engagement point), but I didn't want to muck around and make it worse than it is.

It's honestly not BAD, I just wish it was a bit firmer at the top...

[stueck9356]

No, I don't think its bad either. Could be a creative way to get a stiffer clutch without the stiff pedal, by providing a stronger spring.

I think the hatred of the clutch is because the helper spring doesn't align with the clutch engagement style, causing a pedal feel that doesn't match the movement of the clutch.

[customfab87]

Highly Recommended! I always wondered why the car felt like it was responding to very stiff diaphragm springs, yet the clutch return travel had no feel. I have owned about a dozen stickshift cars over the past 10 years, with stock to 6-pucks, and have never had a clutch be so soft, vague, and jerk the car so much. LOL. Although the pedal is a little stiff now, I can completely feel the action of the springs, which helps when you're feathering a non-responsive electronic throttle! No more stalling EVERY SINGLE DAY.

I found the easiest way to remove the C Clip is to take a small flat head, stick it into the middle of the "C", and push away from the rod. If you try to push on the ends of the "C", you'll just keep rotating the clip and get annoyed. Easiest way to remove the spring, as others have said, is to push the clutch in all the way to relieve compression on the spring, and then to push the spring away from you. It should pop right out.

I would compare the stiffness to an ACT HD Street clutch.

I may end up looking for a very weak helper spring (I've seen compression springs at Home Depot and Auto Parts Stores) if the stiffness gets annoying in LA traffic. I think the stiffness is something easy to get used to. Plus it prevents me from holding down the clutch and putting wear on the bearings!

[Carban]

Just did this. took about 120 seconds. spring perch was very simple to pry off.
Clutch now feels.... like a CLUTCH no more handicap "new car" clutch feel.

[continuecrushing]

Bump for a mod that is completly worth it!

[xxBrun0xx]

Just did this as well and it is incredibly good. My only question: Has anyone else who has done this noticed that the first half an inch or so of travel has basically no resistance? Might this have anything to do with the petal height adjustment mod I did prior to doing this? Any way to fix this?

[Slysdexia]

Originally Posted by xxBrun0xx

Just did this as well and it is incredibly good. My only question: Has anyone else who has done this noticed that the first half an inch or so of travel has basically no resistance? Might this have anything to do with the petal height adjustment mod I did prior to doing this? Any way to fix this?

Actually, you're just feeling the clutch. The helper spring is fighting you for the first inch before it switches to making it easier, so without it the pedal is very easy for the first little bit.

If you're talking about some other sensation, then try undoing the adjustment you performed previously.

Sent from my PO-T4T0 with Eyes.

[enjoyminutemaid]

Originally Posted by xxBrun0xx

Just did this as well and it is incredibly good. My only question: Has anyone else who has done this noticed that the first half an inch or so of travel has basically no resistance? Might this have anything to do with the petal height adjustment mod I did prior to doing this? Any way to fix this?

That happened on mine too. I'm still not sure if it just felt that way because the rest of the travel was so much stiffer. When I reinstalled the clutch spring (recently uninstalled it again, lol), there seemed to be more play in the first half inch of travel than before I removed the spring the first time.

[xxBrun0xx]

Thanks guys, did some more reading and I'm not really worried about it anymore The clutch feels amazing without that spring! Have never ever been able to drive the car as smooth as I can now!

[stueck9356]

Just pulled mine. It is a lot stiffer than stock, but I think after a few hundred miles I'll be used to it.

There isn't more "feedback" from the clutch, however it is much more linear and that makes it easier to work with and turn into muscle memory.

Sent from my GS4

[Slysdexia]

Originally Posted by stueck9356

It is a lot stiffer than stock...

...There isn't more "feedback" from the clutch.

You said it right there.

The stiffness you're feeling is the spring pressure of the clutch pressure plate as you're working through its travel. That's the feedback I'm talking about.

It's not like steering feedback. You're not usually going to get a literal response in the pedal from your actions unless your clutch is chattering or some odd stuff is going on.