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

mic_crispy · 04-17-2012, 12:32 PM

This literally changed my 370z life...

Ive been driving manuals for about 10 years.... always been able to jump in any car and go.

I was JERKY AS HELL in this car. Felt like an idiot. Thought something was wrong with the clutch / axles or something...

Removed this, and all is smooth as butter. And its honestly not THAT much stiffer. Just alittle bit more. Feels like a real clutch.

EmCBe · 04-17-2012, 06:00 PM

Just did this mod and man, amazing. So much smoother!!!

3SeventyZ · 04-18-2012, 10:36 AM

hmmm.. might have to give this a try
anyone have an extra spring laying around?

airikrankin · 04-23-2012, 08:25 AM

interested as well, i also almost stalled it while pulling out of the dealership, thought it might have just been because its new, 1k later still sucks in for a group buy?!

vermithrax · 04-29-2012, 11:00 AM

was reading on the G37 forums that there could be some damage associated with this mod.
DIY Clutch Fix #2 - Oh what a feeling

- MyG37

Something about a similar mod being done to corvettes and the play at the top of the clutch petal messing up their master cylinder. One guy there said it may have contributed to his clutch going bad in his g37. Any thoughts guys?

ZMan8 · 04-29-2012, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vermithrax

was reading on the G37 forums that there could be some damage associated with this mod.
DIY Clutch Fix #2 - Oh what a feeling

- MyG37

Something about a similar mod being done to corvettes and the play at the top of the clutch petal messing up their master cylinder. One guy there said it may have contributed to his clutch going bad in his g37. Any thoughts guys?

haven't heard of anybody to have issues. there is a way to remove the play at the top though by adjusting the pedal.

Jsolo · 04-29-2012, 11:55 AM

I haven't read of the Z/G design having this port, but for added peace of mind, most of us are replacing the spring with a weaker one rather than eliminating it altogether. This takes care of the small amount of play at the top when pedal at the top of the stroke.

I'm not too fond on having a clutch with no play at all. You should always have some play to ensure clutch gets fully engaged.

FairladyZ · 05-01-2012, 11:31 AM

So i just did this mod... Is it me or is the difference really minute in terms of feedback on your foot. I feel like the pressure to push it in is the same.

The only thing i noticed to this mod is that the clutch is now predictable. You know when it is engaging so it helps with the 1-2 shifting. Also i feel like the clutch sits closer to the firewall now.

Jsolo · 05-01-2012, 11:47 AM

I thought there was a rather pronounced difference - both with no spring and with the weaker spring (as compared to stock), in both the down stroke and up stroke. You have less assist pushing down now, and no buffer on the upstroke.

In general, the whole point is to better feel the engagement when you're lifting on the pedal. Unless you made other changes, the pedal extremes should remain the same (how far to the floor it goes and how high it comes up).

FairladyZ · 05-01-2012, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jsolo

I thought there was a rather pronounced difference - both with no spring and with the weaker spring (as compared to stock), in both the down stroke and up stroke. You have less assist pushing down now, and no buffer on the upstroke.

In general, the whole point is to better feel the engagement when you're lifting on the pedal. Unless you made other changes, the pedal extremes should remain the same (how far to the floor it goes and how high it comes up).

Thats wierd... unless my foot is so damn heavy that i can't tell lol

But for reals in terms of the pressure being pushed back at my foot, i feel its the same as stock.

I wish our clutch felt like the STI's clutch. That one gives you one hella of a feedback and is stiff. feels really good.

Jsolo · 05-01-2012, 01:19 PM

^^You think so? I test drove a '11 or '12 sti and thought the clutch was rather light. Not as light as in the z/g in stock config, but much lighter than what I was used to. It did have good feedback, and a lengthy friction zone.

Seems the big trend in feel is what you're used to. If you have an opportunity, test drive a 4th gen camaro (93-02) or camaro/ss, or better yet, a 70's muscle car

ZOLE · 05-18-2012, 02:25 PM

Just finished installing my spring that I got from Jsolo. Install was a breeze, took about 5 minutes. Using a ziptie to hold the clutch pedal out of the way is key. Had a little trouble getting the pin back in but used some adjustable pliers to help "squeeze" the pin back in.

Pedal feel is noticeably different. I wouldn't say it's a "night and day" type of difference, but there definately seems to be more "feel" during clutch engagement now. Another thing I notice is that if I lightly touch the clutch pedal (car is parked) there is a bit more play that with the stock spring. This does not affect anything really, the new softer spring still does its job on returning the clutch pedal all the way to the top.

kenny's 370z · 07-10-2012, 08:58 PM

another awesome mod.now i dont have to feel like a noob starting out in first

binary0x01 · 07-10-2012, 11:54 PM

I thought about doing this, and then realized that you get what you pay for, so opted for the RJM adjustable clutch pedal, i'll rep back when installed, but reading the forums it is clear that it is the real solution.

Evil Sports · 07-11-2012, 05:09 AM

Sorry bro but in this instance Get what you pay for did NOT apply. A simple $40 spring solved the ills of this clutch peddle.

04-18-2012, 10:36 AM	#3 (permalink)
3SeventyZ Track Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: MD/DE Posts: 626 Drives: 350Z, 370Z, SRT8 Rep Power: 477	hmmm.. might have to give this a try anyone have an extra spring laying around? __________________ 2009 Magnetic Black 370Z Sport 6MT

05-18-2012, 02:25 PM	#12 (permalink)
ZOLE Base Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Reisterstown, MD Posts: 164 Drives: 370Z PG Touring MT Rep Power: 17	Just finished installing my spring that I got from Jsolo. Install was a breeze, took about 5 minutes. Using a ziptie to hold the clutch pedal out of the way is key. Had a little trouble getting the pin back in but used some adjustable pliers to help "squeeze" the pin back in. Pedal feel is noticeably different. I wouldn't say it's a "night and day" type of difference, but there definately seems to be more "feel" during clutch engagement now. Another thing I notice is that if I lightly touch the clutch pedal (car is parked) there is a bit more play that with the stock spring. This does not affect anything really, the new softer spring still does its job on returning the clutch pedal all the way to the top. __________________ "In my universe, evolution kills the strong". -Dilbert

07-11-2012, 05:09 AM	#15 (permalink)
Evil Sports Base Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Mass Posts: 187 Drives: 11-370z-Blue-M6-ST Rep Power: 16	Sorry bro but in this instance Get what you pay for did NOT apply. A simple $40 spring solved the ills of this clutch peddle. __________________ My current Rice stable, Lexus RX 330, Nissan 370z, Honda Aquatrax turbo, Yamaha 212SS

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04-17-2012, 12:32 PM	#1 (permalink)
mic_crispy Base Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Orlando Posts: 35 Drives: GTi Rep Power: 15	This literally changed my 370z life... Ive been driving manuals for about 10 years.... always been able to jump in any car and go. I was JERKY AS HELL in this car. Felt like an idiot. Thought something was wrong with the clutch / axles or something... Removed this, and all is smooth as butter. And its honestly not THAT much stiffer. Just alittle bit more. Feels like a real clutch.

04-17-2012, 06:00 PM	#2 (permalink)
EmCBe Base Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Mississauga Posts: 23 Drives: 2012 370Z sport Rep Power: 16	Just did this mod and man, amazing. So much smoother!!!

04-23-2012, 08:25 AM	#4 (permalink)
airikrankin Base Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: pittsburgh Posts: 115 Drives: 12 370z Rep Power: 15	interested as well, i also almost stalled it while pulling out of the dealership, thought it might have just been because its new, 1k later still sucks in for a group buy?!

04-29-2012, 11:00 AM	#5 (permalink)
vermithrax Base Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Houston Posts: 128 Drives: 11 370z/sport silver Rep Power: 15	was reading on the G37 forums that there could be some damage associated with this mod. DIY Clutch Fix #2 - Oh what a feeling - MyG37 Something about a similar mod being done to corvettes and the play at the top of the clutch petal messing up their master cylinder. One guy there said it may have contributed to his clutch going bad in his g37. Any thoughts guys?

04-29-2012, 11:55 AM	#7 (permalink)
Jsolo Track Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: chicago Posts: 783 Drives: '12 G37 6MT Rep Power: 16	I haven't read of the Z/G design having this port, but for added peace of mind, most of us are replacing the spring with a weaker one rather than eliminating it altogether. This takes care of the small amount of play at the top when pedal at the top of the stroke. I'm not too fond on having a clutch with no play at all. You should always have some play to ensure clutch gets fully engaged.

05-01-2012, 11:31 AM	#8 (permalink)
FairladyZ Track Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 850 Drives: 2012 370Z TRNG SPRT Rep Power: 19	So i just did this mod... Is it me or is the difference really minute in terms of feedback on your foot. I feel like the pressure to push it in is the same. The only thing i noticed to this mod is that the clutch is now predictable. You know when it is engaging so it helps with the 1-2 shifting. Also i feel like the clutch sits closer to the firewall now.

05-01-2012, 11:47 AM	#9 (permalink)
Jsolo Track Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: chicago Posts: 783 Drives: '12 G37 6MT Rep Power: 16	I thought there was a rather pronounced difference - both with no spring and with the weaker spring (as compared to stock), in both the down stroke and up stroke. You have less assist pushing down now, and no buffer on the upstroke. In general, the whole point is to better feel the engagement when you're lifting on the pedal. Unless you made other changes, the pedal extremes should remain the same (how far to the floor it goes and how high it comes up).

05-01-2012, 01:19 PM	#11 (permalink)
Jsolo Track Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: chicago Posts: 783 Drives: '12 G37 6MT Rep Power: 16	^^You think so? I test drove a '11 or '12 sti and thought the clutch was rather light. Not as light as in the z/g in stock config, but much lighter than what I was used to. It did have good feedback, and a lengthy friction zone. Seems the big trend in feel is what you're used to. If you have an opportunity, test drive a 4th gen camaro (93-02) or camaro/ss, or better yet, a 70's muscle car

07-10-2012, 08:58 PM	#13 (permalink)
kenny's 370z Base Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: TN Age: 60 Posts: 243 Drives: 2012 frontier sv v6 Rep Power: 14	another awesome mod.now i dont have to feel like a noob starting out in first

07-10-2012, 11:54 PM	#14 (permalink)
binary0x01 Track Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Idaho Posts: 892 Drives: 2012 6-SPEED 3.7L Z Rep Power: 15	I thought about doing this, and then realized that you get what you pay for, so opted for the RJM adjustable clutch pedal, i'll rep back when installed, but reading the forums it is clear that it is the real solution.