Clutch Pedal Overcenter Spring

[7Dcuda]

Are there any tricks to installing the clutch pedal overcenter spring?

[femtnmax]

Pound in or tap in with hammer two rows of flat washers, one row 180 degree opposite the other row.   Need maybe 6 washers in each row.   The washers expand the length of the spring.  May need to go to thicker washers if you do all the above the the extended length is not enough.
May need to tap in a thin flat blade screw driver to expand the spring at each washer location, then tap in the washer, move screw driver to next location and repeat.
With everything done correctly, the clutch spring will fall into place with no extra effort.  Then use vice grips and pull the washers out.  This method works great.   

[7Dcuda]

Can this be done with the pedal assy installed or did you use this method with the pedal assy removed and on a bench?

Pound in or tap in with hammer two rows of flat washers, one row 180 degree opposite the other row.   Need maybe 6 washers in each row.   The washers expand the length of the spring.  May need to go to thicker washers if you do all the above the the extended length is not enough.
May need to tap in a thin flat blade screw driver to expand the spring at each washer location, then tap in the washer, move screw driver to next location and repeat.
With everything done correctly, the clutch spring will fall into place with no extra effort.  Then use vice grips and pull the washers out.  This method works great.

[femtnmax]

I did it with pedal assy out of car, but I'd give it a try with pedals in car, you have nothing to loose.  Let us know how it works out.

[7Dcuda]

I'll give it a try.  I'll be trying it with the pedal assy mounted in the car.  I dont want to take all that out just to put the spring in.  One last question....With the pedal assy in the car, if you were to put the end of the spring on the rear pin, how much short is the front of the spring from where it mounts to the pedal?     

[7Dcuda]

The washer trick is done on the spring then taken to the pedal assembly already mounted in the car. Just keep adding washers till it slip right over.   I never have to use the washers though. I use a big vice grip and large screwdriver and just pop it on there.

If the pedal assembly is out of the car, you can put the spring on with one hand. The floor is limiting how far the pedal goes backward.

I understand.  Im trying to figure how short is the spring from being able to mount to the cluth pedal when you put the rear end of the spring on the rear pin just with the spring as is?    i.e.  how much distance do I need to gain with the washers?

[7Dcuda]

Really not much at all. Maybe a 1/4".  Hold it up there and see.

Ha, you funny.  Cant do that at the moment ..the pedals arent installed, I just got done replacing the bearings on the clutch pedal and the bushings on the brake pedal. Plan on reassembling this weekend so I'm trying to figure this all out while getting paid here a work     

[7Dcuda]

If the pedals are out just put the spring on.  All this and you haven't even tried it yet have you?

With all this typing you could have had it done already.

Only the two individual pedals are removed from the assy. so no I havent tried it yet...I cant try it till I put the pedals back in and then thats where the info. on installing the spring will come in.......and all this typing was done at work so hey 

[slsc98]

I find myself in the same position as 7DCuda -- what is the easiest 'technique for RE-installing the over center spring onto the clutch pedal when the pedal assembly is STILL installed?

Or, is the washer trick it?

(Removing the pedal assembly is not an option for me.)

Thanks in advance!

[dodj]

I did it with a BFScrewdriver once. I think the washer idea is the smart way to go though. 

[ShelbyDogg]

Use the washer trick but don't use a hammer to install them. Put the small hook in a vise. Grab the long hook and bend the spring away from you to open up the coils, then insert some washers between the coils. Now bend the spring the other way to put washers in the opposite side. Once you add about 1/4" try the spring to see if it slips over the pedal post. If not add more washers.  Once the spring is on, push the pedal and some will fall out and the rest can be pulled out with channel locks.

My friend Herb McCandless in NC, told me about this easy way to put on the spring. I used to just Pop it on with a big screwdriver but it doesn't always go on easily.

[slsc98]

Shelby Dogg (+ Mr. McAndless ;-), dodj, femtnmax,

Thank you all for the rapid responses -- I will definitely go with the tried andd true "vise and washers" technique (also described / confirmed by Mod. ChrycoPsycho in a thread separate from this one).

Background: I took the OC spring out after installing a Mcleod diaphragm clutch, against the protestations of my buddy / mechanic. Clutch action / pedal force required is a thousand times improveed but, after several attempts at adjusting clutch, the clutch pedal has now (3x in 10 days) kept "returning" to a point where there is no freeplay in the pedal when its at rest.

I figure, what do I have to lose by putting the OC spring back in? I realize that some Centerforce diaphragms have exhibited a tendency to have the pedal "stick" in the down position during at high rpm shifts but, I am hoping the fact mine is a McLeod, combined with the fact I don't anticipate shifting at any rpms over 3,500 to 4,000 will preclude my encountering this phenomenon.

Then again, I'm not sure what # the others are referring to as 'high' rpm's.

My car ('73 Chally with original 4-spd 833 but, with a non-original 440) is routinely tached out at 3,000 to 3,500 rpm when I'm in 4th cruising at highway speeds (60- 75mph) and, since I don't race I don't imagine too many scenarios where I would ever shift at any rpm over 3,500 to 4,000.

Hopefully, the type of highway, to and from shows, driving I am doing is below the "high rpm" shifts in which diaphragms have been known to stick down?

Any and all feedback appreciated (these forums rock)!

[ShelbyDogg]

You should not use the stock over center spring with a diaphram clutch. It is too strong and could hold the clutch disengaged on it's own. Go to a hardware store and find a light weight spring to pull your throwout bearing off of the fingers when released.  It doesn't take much spring to pull the pedal against the rubber stop when released.

Good luck with that clutch. I would get the new digital electronic control unit, with a rev limiter or run an MSD, with a rev limiter.  Most people don't shift their cars at high RPM but sooner or later you will want to "punch it".  You will shift at a higher RPM and when you lift your foot off of the clutch pedal, it will stay down and your revs will go way up when you floor the gas. It all happens in a split second.

[slsc98]

Go to a hardware store and find a light weight spring to pull your throwout bearing off of the fingers when released.  It doesn't take much spring to pull the pedal against the rubber stop when released.

I checked two places for a suitable spring (Home Depot and the local Ace hardware) but, I couldn't find anything with a big (wide) enough "hook" on the end to go around the posts the original went on. I obviously gave up too easily so, I'll resume my search.

I know there's an Ace hardware in Ellicott City, MD that has selection of springs that boggled my mind (a whole aisle of deep shelves!) Shame of it is though, that place is now more than a 2 hour drive from where I live.

I do enjoy a good 'hunt' though and the thing that's keepin' me goin' is the knowledge (from the members here at C-C) that such a spring exists.

I just wish I could see a photo of one to reduce my 'wheel-spinning' in my search.

Thanks!

[ShelbyDogg]

Any spring will work. It just has to pull your clutch pedal up and hold it there. Get a spring from a LOCAL hardware store. Stick it in a vise or hold it with vise grips and start unwinding the end with another pair till it looks like your stock spring but smaller. Cut it with a cut-off wheel or grinder. Get something small but heavy enough to hold that steel pedal up. It doesn't take much, just something to keep it off of the fingers.