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

olddudesrule · 06-08-2013, 01:28 PM

Ok, Jsolo sent the spring fast, got it last night, and just installed it. Took about a minute, start to finish. The longest part was finding something in the garage (ended up with a piece of PVC pipe) long enough to wedge the clutch pedal down against the front of the driver's seat.

Popped off the c-clip, wedged the pedal down, pushed out the bottom pin only (came out smoothly), removed the entire spring assembly (top hat and top hat spring too), removed big spring, replaced with new spring, slipped it back on, reinserted bottom pin (went right back in), released clutch pedal, and reinserted c-clip. Could have only been easier if I was getting a back rub at the same time....

Heading out in a bit to see how it feels......

olddudesrule · 06-08-2013, 02:04 PM

Alright, first test drive after install. My impressions are, while I can't feel an 80% drop in spring tension (my understanding is, the replacement spring provides only 20% of the tension of the OEM), what it does provide is simply a bit better feel for where the friction of the clutch plate on the pressure plate picks up. On our stock clutches, this friction zone is near the top 25% if the pedal travel, and that seems to be a harder area to manipulate slowly and accurately with your foot/leg. For that reason, I obviously felt it improved the clutch pedal feel in initial vehicle movement from a stop in 1st, and in the 1st to 2nd shift. Definitely noticable, but I'm sure a switch to the RJM adjustable pedal would be a greater improvement. I have to say, for $17.00, you can't go wrong.

Anyone expecting a totally new feel will be disappointed, but if you want a bit better feel with clutch engagement, especially from a stop (annoying stall, anyone??), and from 1st to 2nd, then IMO, it's worth the cost and minor effort to install. If you have at least one hand, and decent eyesight, you can handle it...

Baer383 · 06-08-2013, 03:09 PM

Put a RJM adjustable clutch pedal in it,you will think you went back to a cable operated clutch.

06-08-2013, 03:09 PM	#3 (permalink)
Baer383 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Lawrenceville,Ga Posts: 4,293 Drives: My foot up your azz Rep Power: 30	Put a RJM adjustable clutch pedal in it,you will think you went back to a cable operated clutch. Leuz likes this. __________________ 2013 ZL1 754 rwhp 747 rwtq

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06-08-2013, 01:28 PM	#1 (permalink)
olddudesrule Enthusiast Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Gilbert, AZ Posts: 252 Drives: 2012 Nismo Rep Power: 13	Ok, Jsolo sent the spring fast, got it last night, and just installed it. Took about a minute, start to finish. The longest part was finding something in the garage (ended up with a piece of PVC pipe) long enough to wedge the clutch pedal down against the front of the driver's seat. Popped off the c-clip, wedged the pedal down, pushed out the bottom pin only (came out smoothly), removed the entire spring assembly (top hat and top hat spring too), removed big spring, replaced with new spring, slipped it back on, reinserted bottom pin (went right back in), released clutch pedal, and reinserted c-clip. Could have only been easier if I was getting a back rub at the same time.... Heading out in a bit to see how it feels......

06-08-2013, 02:04 PM	#2 (permalink)
olddudesrule Enthusiast Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Gilbert, AZ Posts: 252 Drives: 2012 Nismo Rep Power: 13	Alright, first test drive after install. My impressions are, while I can't feel an 80% drop in spring tension (my understanding is, the replacement spring provides only 20% of the tension of the OEM), what it does provide is simply a bit better feel for where the friction of the clutch plate on the pressure plate picks up. On our stock clutches, this friction zone is near the top 25% if the pedal travel, and that seems to be a harder area to manipulate slowly and accurately with your foot/leg. For that reason, I obviously felt it improved the clutch pedal feel in initial vehicle movement from a stop in 1st, and in the 1st to 2nd shift. Definitely noticable, but I'm sure a switch to the RJM adjustable pedal would be a greater improvement. I have to say, for $17.00, you can't go wrong. Anyone expecting a totally new feel will be disappointed, but if you want a bit better feel with clutch engagement, especially from a stop (annoying stall, anyone??), and from 1st to 2nd, then IMO, it's worth the cost and minor effort to install. If you have at least one hand, and decent eyesight, you can handle it...