Clutch pedal too soft/no feel? Remove the helper spring!

JB1 · 05-09-2011, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VICTORxSE

You get a lot more feedback when taking out the spring, but one thing to note is that typically this shaft is also designed as an additional support for the clutch pedal. By removing the spring assembly entirely, it may cause a bit of side to side play when the pedal is depressed. Over time, this may cause premature wear on the CMC assembly and seals. The engineers who designed the clutch pedal designed for the mount to be used in conjunction with the spring assembly, not the top pivot mount by itself.

A solution for this can be to replace the spring for a much softer one. Then you will retain the additional support without the unwanted assistance of the stock spring. Someone on the G37 forum suggested the softer spring to take care of the little slack at the top, but I assume it'll work for this as well.

esfourteen · 05-10-2011, 12:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JB1

A solution for this can be to replace the spring for a much softer one. Then you will retain the additional support without the unwanted assistance of the stock spring. Someone on the G37 forum suggested the softer spring to take care of the little slack at the top, but I assume it'll work for this as well.

yeah that would in theory take care of both problems, now to find a spring

fairladyZ34 · 05-10-2011, 12:42 AM

there is a few "clutch fixes" on the other forums, this one seems to be the simplest/ least involved.

JapanLio · 05-10-2011, 12:48 AM

I am a bit surprised because some of you feel the clutch pedal too soft... From my point of view, the clutch pedal is pretty strong, even if the feeling is strange (bouncy...). Of course I still have the spring installed, but I wanted to know what is the normal feeling of the clutch pedal. Mine is not soft at all.

esfourteen · 05-10-2011, 01:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JapanLio

I am a bit surprised because some of you feel the clutch pedal too soft... From my point of view, the clutch pedal is pretty strong, even if the feeling is strange (bouncy...). Of course I still have the spring installed, but I wanted to know what is the normal feeling of the clutch pedal. Mine is not soft at all.

the clutch on these cars is the lightest clutch pedal I have ever felt in any car. you don't feel the pressure plate at all with the spring installed.

chops · 05-10-2011, 01:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JB1

A solution for this can be to replace the spring for a much softer one. Then you will retain the additional support without the unwanted assistance of the stock spring. Someone on the G37 forum suggested the softer spring to take care of the little slack at the top, but I assume it'll work for this as well.

the local hardware store/big hardware store sells tons of different kinds of springs!

memorylasts · 05-10-2011, 02:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by esfourteen

the clutch on these cars is the lightest clutch pedal I have ever felt in any car. you don't feel the pressure plate at all with the spring installed.

Drive a Volkswagen or Audi ... there is no feel in them in comparison ...

kenoverbey · 05-10-2011, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenoverbey

Can't wait to try it. I hate the clutch on these cars.

I did it. Definite improvement.

roplusbee · 05-10-2011, 12:17 PM

The slack is still there, but decreased. I am going to look into getting something in the springs place just to add support. If that doesn't work out, I will just reinstall the assembly (rather not though).

esfourteen · 05-10-2011, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roplusbee

The slack is still there, but decreased. I am going to look into getting something in the springs place just to add support. If that doesn't work out, I will just reinstall the assembly (rather not though).

I'm actually looking for a weaker spring, I'll update the thread if I find something suitable.

spearfish25 · 05-10-2011, 01:04 PM

Can you remove the spring and then reinstall the assembly and pins? I'd guess that would give lateral stability to the pedal without the resistance of the spring.

JapanLio · 05-10-2011, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by esfourteen

the clutch on these cars is the lightest clutch pedal I have ever felt in any car. you don't feel the pressure plate at all with the spring installed.

Is anybody available in the bay area (cupertino or San jose West) with a manual transmission 370Z so I can evaluate my clutch feeling ?

SE · 05-10-2011, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spearfish25

Can you remove the spring and then reinstall the assembly and pins? I'd guess that would give lateral stability to the pedal without the resistance of the spring.

I tried looking at a diagram in the FSM briefly, but it doesn't look like it would do much. The problem is that it's not the pin assembly by itself that gives the pedal it's stability, but rather the heavy spring forcing itself upwards against the pedal. Even by repacing the spring with a softer one than OEM you could theoretically keep some of the stability, but it still wouldn't be close to the OEM specs. Realistically speaking, it's up to those who choose to do this mod whether the percieved benefits outweigh the potential long term issues.

SE · 05-10-2011, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JapanLio

Is anybody available in the bay area (cupertino or San jose West) with a manual transmission 370Z so I can evaluate my clutch feeling ?

I'm in East Bay but I frequently go down to the South Bay areas. If you want, we can meet up sometime or set up a small meet this weekend.

esfourteen · 05-10-2011, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spearfish25

Can you remove the spring and then reinstall the assembly and pins? I'd guess that would give lateral stability to the pedal without the resistance of the spring.

you can't just remove the springs and re-install the assembly unfortunately, honestly this isn't that much of an issue from what I can see, the pedal has little side to side movement. G guys have been running with this removed for years and not reporting any problems.

I'm just looking into replacing the spring for longevity if its a simple case of finding a proper spring. If I don't find one im certainly not going to re-install the old one.

05-10-2011, 12:42 AM	#33 (permalink)
fairladyZ34 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Central NJ Posts: 1,577 Drives: 08 G37S Black M6 Rep Power: 19	there is a few "clutch fixes" on the other forums, this one seems to be the simplest/ least involved. __________________ From Z to G to BMW and back to a G! Nismo for life

05-10-2011, 12:17 PM	#39 (permalink)
roplusbee A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Killeen, TX Posts: 2,360 Drives: 2007 350Z NISMO Rep Power: 23	The slack is still there, but decreased. I am going to look into getting something in the springs place just to add support. If that doesn't work out, I will just reinstall the assembly (rather not though). __________________ 2007 350Z NISMO #0618: Zerolift \| UPREV \| F.I. \| Greddy \| Competition Clutch \| Injector Dynamics \| Aeromotive \| Pioneer \| JL

05-10-2011, 01:04 PM	#41 (permalink)
spearfish25 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 4,117 Drives: to work Rep Power: 1856	Can you remove the spring and then reinstall the assembly and pins? I'd guess that would give lateral stability to the pedal without the resistance of the spring. __________________ 2013 Cadillac V-Wagon, RIP Z

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05-10-2011, 12:48 AM	#34 (permalink)
JapanLio Base Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: San Jose Posts: 64 Drives: 12' PW 6MT Trg/Spt Rep Power: 15	I am a bit surprised because some of you feel the clutch pedal too soft... From my point of view, the clutch pedal is pretty strong, even if the feeling is strange (bouncy...). Of course I still have the spring installed, but I wanted to know what is the normal feeling of the clutch pedal. Mine is not soft at all.