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

Anarky · 05-09-2011, 07:07 PM

I am going to give this a shot this weekend. I will chime in after and give the results.

SE · 05-09-2011, 09:01 PM

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.

KingZee · 05-09-2011, 09:09 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.

I knew this SHOULD be an issue over time, I think I'm in denial.

JB1 · 05-09-2011, 09:50 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 · 05-09-2011, 11:00 PM

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

chops · 05-10-2011, 12:57 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!

JB1 · 05-09-2011, 09:22 PM

I just took the spring out, took about a minute to do so. The test drive will have to wait another day, but just pushing the pedal already feels better, less linear, as in: you can feel the actual clutch spring. I'll report back in 2 days.

fairladyZ34 · 05-09-2011, 11:42 PM

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

JapanLio · 05-09-2011, 11:48 PM

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, 12:04 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.

memorylasts · 05-10-2011, 01:30 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 ...

JapanLio · 05-10-2011, 12:40 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, 12:57 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.

roplusbee · 05-10-2011, 11:17 AM

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, 11:24 AM

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.

05-09-2011, 09:22 PM	#7 (permalink)
JB1 Track Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Chicagoland Posts: 748 Drives: 09 Nissan 370Z sold Rep Power: 17	I just took the spring out, took about a minute to do so. The test drive will have to wait another day, but just pushing the pedal already feels better, less linear, as in: you can feel the actual clutch spring. I'll report back in 2 days. __________________ Black Fangs // Black rear Valance // Berk CBE // COBB post MAF tubes // K&N drop in filters // Setrab Oil Cooler // Stillen Sway bars // Z1 SS brake lines // Stillen brake cooling kit // Harness bar // Last edited by JB1; 05-09-2011 at 09:44 PM.

05-09-2011, 11:42 PM	#8 (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, 11:17 AM	#14 (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

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
light clutch pedal?	boosted180	Engine & Drivetrain	21	06-07-2014 01:53 PM
clutch pedal issues?	xgrudgex	Engine & Drivetrain	17	01-31-2011 08:44 PM
How does your OEM clutch feel?	AlphaSnacks	Engine & Drivetrain	78	12-20-2010 11:04 AM
Knock from the clutch pedal	Oscar135	Engine & Drivetrain	34	07-27-2010 12:10 PM

05-09-2011, 07:07 PM	#1 (permalink)
Anarky Base Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Salt Lake City Posts: 118 Drives: 2011 370Z MB M6 Rep Power: 15	I am going to give this a shot this weekend. I will chime in after and give the results.

05-09-2011, 09:01 PM	#2 (permalink)
SE A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 4,236 Drives: 370z/STI/EVO X/IS-F Rep Power: 24	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.

05-09-2011, 11:48 PM	#9 (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.