That's what I think. Without the short spring, the big spring doesn't kick in until after the clutch engagement point. This way, I can feel where the clutch engages, and the pedal returns all the way up. The clutch does click occasionally when it's cold outside when I push it in all the way. I may ultimately replace the small spring with a rubber washer to remove the clicking.

 

With all the + feedback, looks like I am going to have to try removing this spring assembly to see how much improvement it makes. I wondered what it was there for in the first place. Looks like a bandaid fix it attempt to improve clutch action but from the sound of it, has the exact opposite effect. I have never seen such a device attached to clutch pedal linkage before.

Have some of you tried fix #2 without having done fix#1 1st? I have done neither but since fix #2 is so easy to do, I will do it first. hopefully it will make some improvement even w/o fix #1.

Integr8r Thanks for posting up clear instructions with pics.

 

#1 is not necessary for clutch mod #2.
All # 1 does is eliminate some of the excess travel below the engagement point.

With mod #2, give it a day or two to get used to the new feel,
it will be a little strange at first.
...good luck with it.

 

I removed clutch spring contraption today per instructions and clutch feel is improved. I drove for about 10 miles. Launching from stop and shifting are smoother too. I need to drive it some more to see how much of an improvement it is. For sure, it seems to be a step in right direction. The pedal moves with less resistance now, effort increases as pedal is depressed. There is no "over center" feeling anymore. Clutch engagement "feel" is better, I think because I am feeling what is going on with clutch more than feeling what that spring contraption is up to.

I also observed when clutch pedal is fully released w/o spring assy, it does have a bit of play in direction of travel as mentioned previously. So spring assy helped to push pedal out against fully released position stop. I mention this because there is another switch that is actuated with pedal in fully released position and this 1/4" of play may prevent this switch from being actuated every time clutch is released. I am not sure what this switch is for. Maybe to disable cruise control when clutch pedal is depressed? This switch can be adjusted downward to remedy this.

I left the top (piston) half of spring assy/guide attached. It is just hanging there not in the way of anything. It looks like it would be difficult to reinstall that upper pivot pin due to limited access. Once I am confirm it is OK to leave spring assy removed, I will remove top half.

What concerns me about removing spring assy is I do not know what its purpose is. I am in process of trying to figure that out. I will share this if I can find out. I want to know so I can confirm this change will not cause problems elsewhere in vehicle.

My guesses as to purpose of this spring are:
1. To provide some benefit is during quick shifting during hard acceleration. The pedal kick back caused by this spring would force full clutch engagement quicker, and minimize clutch slippage.
2. Or maybe it is a fix for something. If you look at the chunk of metal ballast welded to clutch pedal arm, that looks like a fix of some sort to suppress vibration maybe. I have noticed several of these types of "fixes" about the vehicle.

 

I made a few notes on speculated function through out the thread.
Remember that the spring is compressed with the pedal at the top.
So, #1 is definitely not one of the functions.

 

Intgr8r,

What I observed pushing pedal back and forth and looking at spring and its attachment points:
True, the spring is slightly compressed at pedal at top position. But it looks like it compresses more toward middle of stroke, then spring extends fully toward pedal depressed position. Its as if it goes over center. So, even tho spring is somewhat compressed in full up position, it is pushing pedal out. This is why when I removed spring assy, my pedal is no longer pushed to fully up position by spring and it has some free play at top of travel.

 

This morning on my way to work, I forgot about removing spring initially. I noticed how much smoother my shifts were, when accelerating soft or hard. It felt like how this car should have been operating all along.

I can't believe i drove my car around for over a year and a half with out trying to remove that spring contraption earlier. For the first time shifting feels a lot more like it is supposed to.

I remember when I first got car, it had to have been in the first 4-6weeks, I said to myself, something is wrong with this clutch. I got under dash and saw that spring contraption. I remember wondering what the heck is that for? I have never seen anything like it on a clutch pedal assy before. I thought about removing it but then thought it must be there for a reason, so I did not have the ***** to remove it and see what effect would be. Now I am kicking myself in the a$$! LOL! ... a year and a half of me driving around complaining about that darn clutch... I guess late is better than never! Intgr8r, thanks for trying this out and sharing your results!

BTW, I still have no idea what spring assy purpose is. But I hope to find out some day.

 

My first post and my first mod - Thank you for figuring this out! It makes all the difference in the world.

 

^ I know exactly what you mean! Every time I drive now, I appreciate this mod!
Welcome to forum.

 

Gave this a shot tonight. I think I am the only SOB that had issues getting the pit out, it fought me the entire way out. Even after I got it out the spring wanted to stay planted.

Anyways, my initial thoughts are not as stellar as others. Clutch just feels different, will need to drive more if it is 'improved'. I also feel a little play at the top, so I agree with others that feel the spring was there to push the pedal up all the way. I think it is there to avoid letting the weight of the pedal put ever-so-slight pressure on the clutch.

I might put a bump stop back in, both at top and bottom of clutch movement.

 

There is an adjustment rod to take the play out.

 

I had taken the play out of the pedal 2 years ago. That made a world of difference. I did the spring removal 2 weeks ago and can't tell a difference. As soon as it is warm enough in the garage, I am putting mine back in.

 

I just did this mod on my first gen sedan. It is slightly more involved since the clutch assembly has to be removed, but still not very difficult. I posted a thread that gives a short write-up on what to do here.

 

I agree. My stalling has been reduced 95%. It makes it much easier to shift smoothly, start in 2nd gear etc... (first is really short).

I added stock spring assembly back to see how it would feel. It reduced pedal effort but I could not feel where in the hell the clutch engagement point was. As result, I stalled frequently and my shifts were jerky. I took it back out and it works best for me with spring out for sure.

Glad it worked similarly for your 1st Gen G35 too!

 

I did this, worked great for a day... Next morning get this! My car would start, but when I took my foot off the brake it shot back, tried to put in neutral and couldn't get it out of gear! But it didn't stall! Weird, so I put it back in and back to normal... Maybe I should take a washer out from the clutch travel diy I did from your other write up.