Pressure plate & Clutch

[Nassau1969]

Ok 4 spds are not my forte, My clutch/pressure plate that I put in is way to much for my leg when cursing around its not a race car, I take it easy. I want to put in something more easyer on my leg and hip (only 44yrs old), when i get out of the car I feel like I just went thru a crazy work out. I need to lighten up the load can I change the pressure plate and keep the clutch. Theres only 3800 miles on it. 

[Troy]

Does your car still have the "over center spring" on the clutch pedal assembly? Look up under the dash and see if there's a giant spring connected to the pedal (it's approximately 2 1/2" in diameter and 6-7 inches long I believe). When switching to a newer style clutch (Centerforce, etc.) the spring is no longer needed and is often removed. Then, if the car is ever switched back to the original "Borg and Beck" style the pedal effort is very high.

If you do switch to a newer style clutch I believe you have to purchase the whole assembly.

Troy

[Nassau1969]

I believe the spring is in there, how do you get that spring out of there its, a monster.

[Troy]

I believe the spring is in there, how do you get that spring out of there its, a monster.

I hand the screwdriver to someone else and stand back!

I think the preferred way is to wedge body shims (or something similar) into the coils while it's stretched and then when the pedal gets depressed it can't compress and practically falls out. If you're having a hard time pushing now just wait til you remove the spring! I think the factory clutch is something like 700 pounds and the spring can overcome about 400 of it (considering the reduction as it goes through the linkage). FYI - that spring is deadly/dangerous so make sure it is clamped or otherwise immovable when disconnecting stuff.

Troy

[jaak]

I replaced the clutch about a year ago with a typical parts store replacement (diapragm type), my car also still has the pedal spring. My clutch is real easy, no effort almost feels like you have a hydraulic unit in it insteal of z-bar/linkages. Do you have a diaphragm or lever style pressure plate?

Jason

[Nassau1969]

No spring