Simple Clutch Mod

What I've done is remove the clutch pedal return spring (on top of the clutch pedal near the pivot point) as shown:


These springs make for a mushy, non-linear feel and IMO feel terrible and lead to crappy clutch modulation and performance. The spring, shown in the above picture is mounted in two points; one on the metal cross-bracket and one on the top of the clutch pedal. Below is the spring after it was pulled:


All you have to do is get a pair of pliars, depress the clutch pedal to the floor, and grab the longer side (without the plastic mounting piece) and push towards the outside of the truck. With a little wiggling and elbow grease it comes right out.

When you take it out for a ride you'll notice a crisper, more linear feel. It is significantly stiffer, so you won't have to skip leg day anymore (at least with your left left leg). So, for those people with the MT that complain of a sloppy, hard to read clutch this is the ticket.

If someone else here has posted about this, sorry! I didn't see any posts about it in my short time on this forum.

 

I may have missed something, but did you just take the spring out and not replace it with anything?

On first gens, a lot of people take the spring out and replace it with a linear spring, as there’s already a mounting point made for it. I’d imagine you could do the same for a third gen.

 

Yes, I just took it out.. There's no reason to have it. Unless you just want a squishy clutch feel, then keep it.

Ran my mustangs like this for tens of thousands of miles and had no problems.

 

you have my attention.

does it go back in as easy as it comes out? is there any minor destruction to take it out? i just want to replace it easily.

can't wait to try this..

 

SO what you're saying is that the spring is actually an assist mechanism? It helps you push the clutch in once it reaches a certain spot in the throw?

Edit: ...and AFAIK, that little white piece is where the barn door creak comes from!!

 

that's what surprised me, that the spring is an assist.

and btw the creak is the spring coil simply rubbing on itself. smear it up with disk brake grease inside the coil and you'll see. if you're keeping the spring now, that is.

 

St. Germain, it is easily replaceable. It just slides in and slides out with some elbow grease. Make sure not to break (or lose) the plastic mounting piece. The blue side of the spring, as shown in the picture, match the blue line painted on the cross-bar. In case you want to re-install it if you don't like it.

MOC221, yes it is. It does make the push significantly lighter and pushes the pedal out all the way when the clutch is dis-engaged. It will get harder to push in, but got rid of all the bucking and weird feeling shifts I was experiencing when I first got the truck.

 

Interesting...

 

I tried lubing the coil, it didn't work for me.. maybe the wrong lube.

Never mind, if there's no downside to this, that little piece of shit is history.. I would like to know if it can be put back in though..

 

so the obvious question right now is what happens on cold ass mornings?

 

Not sure what you mean?

 

Will try tomorrow morning.
Should be nice and cold here in upstate NY

 

Good question... the damn thing is already really slow to come off the firewall when it's really cold

 

Try it and let us know if you like it!

 

Have you ever tried to put it back in the truck?

 

have you ever noticed the clutch making an abnormally slow return with a cold truck on a cold morning? I'm in Denton and i have even here. but many in colder climates may actually need the spring assist or it might not return... not sure but maybe.

 

I'll try tomorrow morning, it should be about 18° here in Rochester.

 

but either way this may open up a route to look at lighter/different/more linear springs as well. thanks, OP.

 

Thanks! You da man

 

Exactly, that has to be a return assist spring, l cannot imagine cold days would be good without it.