Clutch pedal assist return spring: Alternatives?

[TheBrightSide]

Originally Posted by MidBubSC

The reduced tension spring will be a direct replacement for the OEM. This spring will provide no functional pedal assist, but has enough tension to hold the pedal up. It is a thinner spring wire, and has an extra loop on each side.

Here is a picture of the one I make for the C5 Corvette:



The reduced tension spring for the Camaro will be dimensionally the same as the OEM, and will snap into in the same mount points as the original.

Sorry for the slightly late reply, but where can I get one? Do I go through you? PM me your phone number!

[MidBubSC]

New production 5th gen Camaro Clutch Pedal Spring has arrived and has replaced the prototype spring in my buddy's test mule!

[MidBubSC]

[RickyC]

Looking forward to it!
Thank you!

[RickyC]

I just wanted everyone to know I received my new clutch spring from John at Pedal Stomping Springs! (MidBubSC) This spring is awesome and definitely a must have for all on this forum. I took my original spring out while I was waiting for the new one to arrive and I actually loved the clutch feel. Could not believe how much better it was but I was a little worried about the hydraulic system. The spring is lighter and was a breeze to put in. Try saying that with the original! The spring is very well made and looks OEM! The pedal feels awesome! Feels like it should have been all along and I have the peace of mind knowing that I have a spring in there.
John, I cannot thank you enough! I am very happy. The spring is awesome and just wanted to say you did a great job! I will be telling everyone I know with a C5/6 Corvette and every Camaro owner that the spring is a must have! Thanks again my friend
Best
Rick

[TheBrightSide]

Originally Posted by RickyC

I just wanted everyone to know I received my new clutch spring from John at Pedal Stomping Springs! This spring is awesome and definitely a must have for all on this forum. I took my original spring out while I was waiting for the new one to arrive and I actually loved the clutch feel. Could not believe how much better it was but I was a little worried about the hydraulic system. The spring is lighter and was a breeze to put in. Try saying that with the original! The spring is very well made and looks OEM! The pedal feels awesome! Feels like it should have been all along and I have the peace of mind knowing that I have a spring in there.
John, I cannot thank you enough! I am very happy. The spring is awesome and just wanted to say you did a great job! I will be telling everyone I know with a C5/6 Corvette and every Camaro owner that the spring is a must have! Thanks again my friend
Best
Rick

Same here, I actually got in contact with him and was telling him about my clutch master cylinder issues, which turned out to be both defective ones and my OEM clutch slave cylinder going out. Either way, I got to test the new clutch pedal spring for about a full day's worth of driving or so. I gotta say, it's MUCH better than the stock one, but provides just enough spring tension to be able to help pull the clutch pedal back up fully (to re-generate vacuum in the master cylinder?).

I've heard so many stories of people complaining about shifting rough and having a hard time modulating the clutch. Turns out that the factory clutch pedal spring is super tough, and it even makes you feel as if the bone stock clutch is some beasty, heavy unit. Well, nope; that's not even remotely the case, and people who have removed the stock clutch spring and just driven the car without it, will tell you just how LIGHT the factory clutch/pedal is.

I also kept thinking the bite point was a lot higher up, but my failing cylinders affected that back then. Now, I can tell that the engagement/biting point on the clutch pedal, is like around the middle to lower middle pedal travel area. Knowing precisely where the engagement point is on the clutch pedal, as well as having a spring that isn't overly tough, changes the overall driving experience entirely!

Good to know that I wasn't the only one to look around, wondering why C6 Corvette owners were swapping in C5 OEM clutch pedal springs, and saying it was overall a better driving experience. I ran a DIY clutch return spring, that was based off of the "design" of the Lingenfelter one (sold for $80-90+), and I ran through a number of springs that I couldn't tell if they were working or not. Not sure if I will continue to run a return spring after installing this, however. It makes the return force of the pedal increase, and depending on the return spring you add, it gives you a fake harder clutch pedal, just like the stock clutch spring acted.

[RickyC]

MidBubSC, Just wanted to say again
This spring is awesome!
Camaro5 members….. help John out and purchase this spring! He put a lot of time and effort in this, you will not be disappointed!

[TheBrightSide]

Originally Posted by RickyC

MidBubSC, Just wanted to say again
This spring is awesome!
Camaro5 members….. help John out and purchase this spring! He put a lot of time and effort in this, you will not be disappointed!

Are you running an additional clutch return spring at all? I’m still debating running one again, just maybe not such a heavy one… I do still notice a bit of the upgraded spring helping the pedal stick to the floor, but I guess I might just be paranoid from my failing clutch master cylinders in the past.

I originally removed the factory clutch pedal spring for this very reason, and then ran only a DIY clutch return spring, only so that the clutch pedal could fully return to the top and maintain the clutch master cylinder bore for the hydraulics. Of course, if your clutch pedal/master cylinder never sticks to the floor, then a (additional) clutch pedal return spring may not totally be necessary.

I don’t really plan on tracking my car anytime soon, and the only time I fear my pedal sticking in the future (if at all), is if my CMC ever goes out again. I got lucky in the past, and my DIY return spring (with stock clutch pedal spring removed) helped pull up my clutch pedal just enough, when it started to die out and lose all hydraulic pressure. This helped me limp home, but I can’t think of any other reason besides racing applications, where a clutch pedal return spring or this upgraded spring might be totally beneficial.

I would even consider running the clutch pedal all by itself with no spring at all, if I wasn’t so paranoid and been so unlucky. Really, an added additional clutch pedal return spring is only a bit tougher on the pedal pressure, when your clutch hydraulic is properly working. Other than that, if you’ve ever bled your clutch pedal or let the hydraulic line pressure out, you’ll notice that whatever spring you have in there, heavy or not, will not actually feel all that heavy.

[RickyC]

Originally Posted by TheBrightSide

Are you running an additional clutch return spring at all? I’m still debating running one again, just maybe not such a heavy one… I do still notice a bit of the upgraded spring helping the pedal stick to the floor, but I guess I might just be paranoid from my failing clutch master cylinders in the past.

I originally removed the factory clutch pedal spring for this very reason, and then ran only a DIY clutch return spring, only so that the clutch pedal could fully return to the top and maintain the clutch master cylinder bore for the hydraulics. Of course, if your clutch pedal/master cylinder never sticks to the floor, then a (additional) clutch pedal return spring may not totally be necessary.

I don’t really plan on tracking my car anytime soon, and the only time I fear my pedal sticking in the future (if at all), is if my CMC ever goes out again. I got lucky in the past, and my DIY return spring (with stock clutch pedal spring removed) helped pull up my clutch pedal just enough, when it started to die out and lose all hydraulic pressure. This helped me limp home, but I can’t think of any other reason besides racing applications, where a clutch pedal return spring or this upgraded spring might be totally beneficial.

I would even consider running the clutch pedal all by itself with no spring at all, if I wasn’t so paranoid and been so unlucky. Really, an added additional clutch pedal return spring is only a bit tougher on the pedal pressure, when your clutch hydraulic is properly working. Other than that, if you’ve ever bled your clutch pedal or let the hydraulic line pressure out, you’ll notice that whatever spring you have in there, heavy or not, will not actually feel all that heavy.

No additional return spring needed. I just hated the feel of the original spring and feel this is a huge improvement. I have always looked after my clutch fluid as I have a separate reservoir and never had any problems. I did like the way the pedal felt with the spring removed but after talking with my corvette buds and the forum’s I just didn’t want to take that chance.i also do not want to fabricate a make shift return spring or the $100 bolt on one from The famous L.
This works for me and just trying to show my gratitude to John for a job well done.

[koryl67]

Originally Posted by MidBubSC

New production 5th gen Camaro Clutch Pedal Spring has arrived and has replaced the prototype spring in my buddy's test mule!


Attachment 1166282

I’m also interested in getting one for my 2010 Camaro SS. I’m located in Ontario, Canada. If you could let me know if you can ship to Canada, and if so, how I can order one, that would be awesome! Thanks!

[TheBrightSide]

The picture with the springs is what I DIY’d for return springs. The one in the photo where I’m running my DIY return spring setup, is the super heavy one. Makes you feel like you’re stepping on a 15+ lb setup, and it’s hard to modulate the clutch pedal because it pulls back so hard. Definitely didn’t like it, but got used to it, and it saved me a few times when my clutch master cylinders would constantly fail….

[el ess A]

MidBubSC gave me a reduced price on one of those reduced tension springs for the clutch pedal if I were to write up what I experienced after install. A few weeks ago, I received the spring, but with an unexpected out of town funeral and some other crap that reared its ugly head at the last moment kept me from concentrating on getting this done. But finally made some time today to get a "round tuit".

First, I'm not as young as I used to be and contorting myself to getting under the clutch pedal was a pita. No fault of the spring, just sayin'.

I had a lamp (it's a bit dark under there), a pair of strong needle nose, a flatblade screwdriver, and a pair of channel-locks just in case. I just needed the needle nose and flatblade. I'd probably get an old towel to protect the floorboard/carpet/mat/whatever, from getting grease on it should the spring fall out and hit the floor. I didn't have to, but it's more of an afterthought.

Getting the original spring out was easy. Flatblade just slid inside the outside prongs and a little twist popped them right out. Factory spring is doused in graphite grease it appears, so it wouldn't make noise I suppose. Crap gets everywhere fast, so I advise some shop rags and some nitrile/butyl work gloves. Wipe off the clutch pedal areas where it has some grease. I left it in the saddle because of potential wear point, but I don't think it would matter either way. I did not grease the new spring.

After the old spring was out, I took it for a ride with NO spring. DEFINITELY don't want to go back to stock. It seemed with the stock spring, you're just stepping on a spring loaded pedal and you have to guess where the engagement points are because you can't really feel them. Without the spring, you get the full effect. I kinda like it. A bit tougher to operate, but I kinda like it.

To easily put the new spring in, place the outboard prong nearest the side kick panel in first. Then place the center piece in the pedal saddle. It sorta snaps in. Pretty easy. Then, I hand pressed the clutch pedal to the floor and that allowed the inboard prong closest to the brake pedal to come close to the mounting hole. While holding the clutch pedal down, I used the needle nose pliers to guid the prong into the plastic grommet hole. Boom. Done. Took just a couple of minutes.

Took the car for another ride and it's a bit more assist than with no spring, but not much, and you can still feel the clutch engagement a whole lot better over the stock spring.

IMO, it's definitely worth the trouble. Just a few minutes and it's a little mod worth doing.

[RickyC]

It’s so much better! So happy I have one! Thanks again John!

[TheBrightSide]

Originally Posted by el ess A

MidBubSC gave me a reduced price on one of those reduced tension springs for the clutch pedal if I were to write up what I experienced after install. A few weeks ago, I received the spring, but with an unexpected out of town funeral and some other crap that reared its ugly head at the last moment kept me from concentrating on getting this done. But finally made some time today to get a "round tuit".

First, I'm not as young as I used to be and contorting myself to getting under the clutch pedal was a pita. No fault of the spring, just sayin'.

I had a lamp (it's a bit dark under there), a pair of strong needle nose, a flatblade screwdriver, and a pair of channel-locks just in case. I just needed the needle nose and flatblade. I'd probably get an old towel to protect the floorboard/carpet/mat/whatever, from getting grease on it should the spring fall out and hit the floor. I didn't have to, but it's more of an afterthought.

Getting the original spring out was easy. Flatblade just slid inside the outside prongs and a little twist popped them right out. Factory spring is doused in graphite grease it appears, so it wouldn't make noise I suppose. Crap gets everywhere fast, so I advise some shop rags and some nitrile/butyl work gloves. Wipe off the clutch pedal areas where it has some grease. I left it in the saddle because of potential wear point, but I don't think it would matter either way. I did not grease the new spring.

After the old spring was out, I took it for a ride with NO spring. DEFINITELY don't want to go back to stock. It seemed with the stock spring, you're just stepping on a spring loaded pedal and you have to guess where the engagement points are because you can't really feel them. Without the spring, you get the full effect. I kinda like it. A bit tougher to operate, but I kinda like it.

To easily put the new spring in, place the outboard prong nearest the side kick panel in first. Then place the center piece in the pedal saddle. It sorta snaps in. Pretty easy. Then, I hand pressed the clutch pedal to the floor and that allowed the inboard prong closest to the brake pedal to come close to the mounting hole. While holding the clutch pedal down, I used the needle nose pliers to guid the prong into the plastic grommet hole. Boom. Done. Took just a couple of minutes.

Took the car for another ride and it's a bit more assist than with no spring, but not much, and you can still feel the clutch engagement a whole lot better over the stock spring.

IMO, it's definitely worth the trouble. Just a few minutes and it's a little mod worth doing.

I honestly think that I had underlying issues with my clutch slave cylinder, a while into owning my new Camaro. This is what made me so paranoid and always wanting to run a clutch return spring. I guess my only gripe is with the “assist” portion of the OEM clutch pedal spring, since it really helped hold the clutch pedal down, after you depress the clutch more than 70-75%.

The new clutch spring I got from Ricky, is indeed MUCH lighter, so it acts the SAME, but just with way less tension. It has an extra loop and is light, so after installing, it kinda “mushes” itself and pokes the ends of the spring, out through the clutch spring bushings/mounts. Not an issue there at all, since nothing should snag on the pointy ends.

And like I said, I figured that having a clutch return spring would only really help with MAYBE limping the car, if something ends up happening with the clutch hydraulic system. I could probably just toss in a super light pedal return spring and take out the OEM style spring, and call it a day. The only thing that really made me keep Ricky’s prototype spring on, is that it doesn’t need to have a little “rig” in order to work; you just simply act like it’s the factory clutch pedal spring.