Clutch Pedal Spring Re-Installaion

[pintopower]

Hey Folks,

I am a bit stuck here. I rebuilt the clutch and brake pedal assembly and discovered how horrible it was to remove the clutch pedal spring. With that said, now I cannot get it on. In its relaxed state, we are looking at 20-25mm distance between the spring hook and the column mount. No mater how much force I apply, it cannot get it even close. How does this get back on there? Any help is much appreciated.



Thank you

[TX82FIAT]

Try wedging larger washers in between individual spring coils by bending spring until it is just slightly longer then length desired. Then "carefully" position the spring ends in the slots and remove the spacers inserted in the spring. If you do this in a short period of time (hour) the spring will not lose any of its elasticity and will return to the tight state it is in now. Hooke's law I think.

[18Fiatsandcounting]

I agree with TX82Fiat about pre-expanding the coils, and the only suggestion I would offer is to use wood shims because metal washers are slippery and can pop out when you don't want them to. Wood "gives" a little which helps hold the pieces in the coils. You can install the shims an a bench vise and some sort of pry bar setup to stretch the spring as you slip in the shims. Wrap some tape around it in case something pops loose, and take it to the car for assembly.

In years past, I was able to reinstall the spring with just brute force: Work out for about 6 months to improve your upper body strength. Remove the driver's seat. Put a blanket down on the floorboard so at least you're comfortable as the swearing begins. Wear eye protection. Using a really strong set of visegrips, clamp on that bad boy as tight as you can and try several times until you get it on. Possible? Yes. Easy? No.

-Bryan

[pintopower]

Man I thought I was doing something wrong! So it is that horrible huh? OK...well the seat is out of the car and I have been swearing but thanks to Covid, no gym in 6 mo.

I like the washer idea but damn...im glad I am not losing my mind.

Can I ask what it does? It isnt a return spring as even without this installed, the clutch works fine and based on the pivot point, it really barely moves when you press the clutch. I mean i will install it but I am curious about its function as none of the cars in my collection have such a thing. Even my Strada's dont have this.

[18Fiatsandcounting]

I can't recall ever seeing a satisfactory answer as to what this spring actually does. It is actually the opposite of a pedal return spring, and in fact, without the clutch cable in place, this spring will cause the clutch pedal to slam to the floorboard. So it is actually there to assist with pushing the pedal down, not to bring it back up. Weird. The best I can figure is that it was put in to give a certain "feel" to the clutch pedal, perhaps helping progressively more as you push down, so the pedal feels more linear. Just guessing on my part, though.

Yes, it is a hard job. It ranks up there with removing the starter motor, replacing the heater core, and replacing the brake booster.

-Bryan

[pintopower]

Bryan....dont ever mention the heater core....you have no idea what I have done to make it so that it will last for ever...How I hate that thing.

LOL.

[18Fiatsandcounting]

Bryan....dont ever mention the heater core....

I'll just refer to it as, "The component that shall not be named" from now on....!

-Bryan

[SteinOnkel]

I can't recall ever seeing a satisfactory answer as to what this spring actually does. It is actually the opposite of a pedal return spring, and in fact, without the clutch cable in place, this spring will cause the clutch pedal to slam to the floorboard. So it is actually there to assist with pushing the pedal down, not to bring it back up. Weird. The best I can figure is that it was put in to give a certain "feel" to the clutch pedal, perhaps helping progressively more as you push down, so the pedal feels more linear. Just guessing on my part, though.

Yes, it is a hard job. It ranks up there with removing the starter motor, replacing the heater core, and replacing the brake booster.

-Bryan

Hmmm.

If I recall correctly, the clutch pedal stays halfway down without the spring in place. This is with a new clutch, new pedal and new cable. It kind of drags, like you have to pick it up back up with your foot.

The way I did was to hook in the top side of the spring, put on eye protection (seriously!) and latch a pair of vice grips onto the bottom loop. Then push as hard as you can and finnagle (that's the technical term) it into place. Took about 5 minutes, but I think I got like 20+ years on the average user here, so I don't have any issues doing weird yoga poses in the footwell.

Also, I think removing the starter and the brake booster is a breeze lol. All the other stuff you guys say is easy is a nightmare for me though. Together we would make a pretty good pit crew for 124s, I think.

Cheers
Steiny

[18Fiatsandcounting]

If I recall correctly, the clutch pedal stays halfway down without the spring in place. This is with a new clutch, new pedal and new cable. It kind of drags, like you have to pick it up back up with your foot.

That doesn't quite sound right, but it's been so long since I removed one of those springs, that I can't remember what the pedal did. Perhaps the spring is designed (with that weird hook thing on the front end and the way it's attached) to help pull the clutch pedal back up before you reach the halfway point, and then help to pull it down once you pass the halfway point.

Next time I have to replace a heater core, I'll call you. And next time you have the urge to thread SAE nuts onto metric studs, or switch back to points and condensers, you can call me!

-Bryan

[courtenay]

Instead of washers, get a roll of quarters and wedge them between the coils until you get the right length.