Noisy clutch over center spring do they wear out? Update #2 with new pic

[KillerBee]

When I push in the clutch pedal on my 71 4 speed R/T Challenger there is an annoying creaking and popping noise mostly when the pedal is traveling back up.

I have gone through the clutch linkage from the Z bar to the bell housing and replaced all the wear items.

The linkage is currently disconnected at the clutch pedal to eliminate that possibility and it's still noisy.

In working the clutch pedal in and out it sounds like the noise is coming from the over center spring, almost like the coils are rubbing together and popping when going in and out.

I don't hear or feel any noise or dragging where the clutch pedal pivots on the shafts so I don't think the bearings? are bad.

I spray lubed the spring and everything that moves with the clutch pedal which made it much better but it still has a faint noise.

I'm using the old school heavy duty Borg and Beck pressure plate (I'm not a fan of the diaphram clutches) so removing the OC spring is not an option.

So does the OC spring ever get worn out?

The clutch seems to work good it's just noisy.

Is there anything else I need to lube or should I use a different lube?

Thanks for any advice.

[Chryco Psycho]

try some lithium grease on the pivot pins where the spring rides , it may take a number of cycles to work in

[dodj]

So does the OC spring ever get worn out?

nope
If the oc spring is causing the noise, i'd remove the spring, lube the pins and reinstall.

[KillerBee]

Tried to lube the OC spring with it in, thought I lubed it pretty good but the creeking noise is still there.

It makes the noise when the pedal is going up SLOWLY like starting from a stop or just cruising around making slow shifts no noise when the clutch is pushed in and out FAST like when power shifting.
It sounds like the OC spring pops and creeks.

In looking it appears the hook on the spring nearest the firewall is binding as it rolls on the pin it sits on when the clutch is pushed in and out.

So I battled with the OC spring and finally got it out, not the funnest job.

Is the spring hook pin closest to the firewall supposed to be flat on the back?
Should it have a groove for the hook to sit in? The groove feels to have some rough edges on it.

The front hook on the spring has a groove worn into it also, it's on the inside of the wire closest to the pedal bracket, see pic.

Could that be making a noise?

Opinions?

Thanks.

[Chryco Psycho]

yes it could , the pin should be grooved in the center all the way around

[KillerBee]

How difficult is it to replace the pin?

Can it be done in the car?

Thanks.

[Chryco Psycho]

there is an egg shaped hole in the bracket for the spring cross pin , just slide the pin towards the fire wall & it can be removed from the bracket , you can just rotate it 180* * use the other side of the pin . I would polish the ridges out of the spring hook end as well where it is worn on the pedal pin .

[HP_Cuda]

Want to buy a new spring?

I'm not going to use mine and she is brand new.

B

[KillerBee]

Want to buy a new spring?

I'm not going to use mine and she is brand new.

B

PM sent

[KillerBee]

Well I got the OC pin out after a little battle.

I originally asked if the backside of the pin should be flat as it felt that way...
well mine is flat on the backside.

It is worn almost halfway through the pin, somebody has been doing some shifting in the old clunker.

I don't think turning the pin 180 degree is gonna work.

I called Brewers and they told me they've seen pins worn badly in the past but not too often.

So a new pin has been ordered.

I hope this solves my creeky sounding clutch pedal.

[HP_Cuda]

Wow! That looks to be your problem.

Let me know if you still want the spring and I'll ship it to ya for your price.

[KillerBee]

Wow! That looks to be your problem.

Let me know if you still want the spring and I'll ship it to ya for your price.

The new pin should be here by Monday and I hope to put everything back together.

If my current OC spring decides not to play nice I'll be in touch.

Thanks.

[Chryco Psycho]

just take the sharp edges off the spring hooks so it will ride smoothly on the pin & pivot