Clutch Spring Removal Experience

[GrantM]

I have found many posts on this board helpful for the past couple years since I've had the Fiesta, so I figured I would join to give my input on what I feel may be an overlooked subject. The clutch assist spring on our leftmost pedal is unnatural and prone to failure, so I looked into alternatives. I could have taken it to be replaced under warranty long ago, as my clutch pedal became creaky and extraordinarily nonlinear, resulting in inconsistent shifts. I knew I was fairly proficient with a manual gearbox, so I became suspicious of the pedal design itself. Much to my dismay, I became aware of other Ford models that share the same design of unnatural pedal feel that results in softer but harder-to-manage clutch engagement (Focus ST and Mustang). I decided to remove this defective spring from my clutch pedal to assess the result for myself (after extensive research on the consequences of course). I am very satisfied with this change and highly recommend this "free mod" to other Fiesta ST owners. This change has made shifting more accurate and consistent, reducing travel, albeit making the pedal heavier.

CAVEAT: I have only recently done this mod (a few days) and will be updating periodically to share if all goes well or ill.

Thanks, and I hope this helps! Feel free to ask any questions in regards to the process and result.

 

[Racer83L]

photos please. so you removed a spring and it made your clutch pedal normal and the creak went away?

 

[GrantM]

photos please. so you removed a spring and it made your clutch pedal normal and the creak went away?

Pics will be uploaded this evening. But yes, the creaking goes away. You may not like the increased weight. I think it is worth it to bypass a faulty part IMO.

The spring is compressed in a housing that pivots to push the clutch pedal up when left alone, and then the opposite direction to assist when the pedal is pressed. The trouble with this design is it makes the bite point undefined and inconsistent, as the clutch engages at some point when the spring is in between pushing the pedal down and holding it up. I'll draw a diagram this evening if that would help to explain.

 

[CanadianGuy]

In for more information. I wear heavy work boots and always bottom out the pedal. However in the early morning I have noticed that the first 25% of travel is very light and then it gets stiffer.

 

[Racer83L]

this pedal is so light that it aeks the fun out of driving a manual transmission.

I used to own an old school 5.0 mustang and an older wrangler, my left leg was stronger that my right. In this car its almost harder to push the gas pedal than the clutch.

 

[eglove]

In for more information. I wear heavy work boots and always bottom out the pedal. However in the early morning I have noticed that the first 25% of travel is very light and then it gets stiffer.

Here's 65 pages

http://www.focusst.org/forum/focus-...s-focus-st-have-assistance-clutch-spring.html

I did this on my old Focus ST, it was worthwhile. But ocassionally you have to use your foot to pull the clutch back up towards you as it sags back every one in awhile. People have combated this with a spring with a different rate than the stock one

 

[TempeST]

We did this on our 370s. was a great mod. pedal feel is much better. Perhaps someone can get a different spring and sell it to other members.

 

[Sourskittle]

We did this on our 370s. was a great mod. pedal feel is much better. Perhaps someone can get a different spring and sell it to other members.

I put a stainless line on my G35 that removed a restrictor inline with the throw out bearing. Made driving that odd clutch better for sure.

Not the same as this mod... But same type mod. I think the fist may have all hard ( plastic ) lines though. The focus has that same type restrictor I've heard...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[GrantM]

Clutch spring and plastic guide.

Spring housing, the origin of the creaking. The spring guide pokes from the hole in the bottom when the spring is compressed.

A wider view.

Instruction for removal:

Grab a mid-sized flathead screwdriver by the shaft end and wedge the handle against the other side of the spring guide pin (left side of the pin pictured above). This will loosen the pin to allow for MUCH easier removal via prying.

I do not recommend trying to pry the pin without attempting first to loosen it from the other side.

Hope this is helpful!

EDIT: The greasy look on the spring housing is residue left from my many failed attempts to lube it.

 

[GrantM]

DAY 2 Report:

Still no issues. Loving my "new" clutch!

I'll give updates at whatever interval is requested. Thanks!

 

[GrantM]

In for more information. I wear heavy work boots and always bottom out the pedal. However in the early morning I have noticed that the first 25% of travel is very light and then it gets stiffer.

What do you mean by "bottom out the pedal"?

That variation of pressure in the travel (with spring installed) is the main reason I would recommend this mod. Removing the spring makes engagement much more predictable. I also find it easier to move my foot from dead pedal to clutch pedal due to the cut in travel with the spring removed. For me, it has improved my overall driving experience with the car. Especially because my car came with the "creaky clutch" feature. Note: I've had the car for almost two years, nearing 14,000 miles now.

 

[CanadianGuy]

What do you mean by "bottom out the pedal"?

When I press the pedal I make it stop on the floor.

 

[GrantM]

When I press the pedal I make it stop on the floor.

Sorry, I'm still not sure what you mean. You press it to the floor and it gets wedged on something?

 

[Azov]

I did this almost a year ago. I absolutely hated it. The clutch felt like it was always partially engaged. It felt mushy until the clutch disengaged. Then on the return it doesn't come back fully and just flops around.

 

[CanadianGuy]

Sorry, I'm still not sure what you mean. You press it to the floor and it gets wedged on something?

No no. I have no issue with the pedal other than it is a little soft initially.

 

[GrantM]

I did this almost a year ago. I absolutely hated it. The clutch felt like it was always partially engaged. It felt mushy until the clutch disengaged. Then on the return it doesn't come back fully and just flops around.

Sounds like you leave your foot on the pedal. If this is the case, your experience is of the slight play due to the spring not holding it firmly in the top position. I prefer to rest my foot on the dead pedal when I am not shifting, which is why I think we have had such different experiences with this "mod".

Thanks for the input, though. Please let me know if I've missed something.

 

[GrantM]

No no. I have no issue with the pedal other than it is a little soft initially.

Gotcha. Removing the spring changes that feel completely. The pedal is overall heavier than with the spring, but there is no variation in heaviness without the spring. I prefer the heavy, more linear clutch feel to the variable pressure I experienced with the spring. You just mash it and shift, instead of having to manage the change of the spring forcing the pedal down then pivoting to hold it up.

 

[XuperXero]

FYI, I covered this a while back: http://www.fiestastforum.com/forum/threads/1242-DIY-Clutch-Pedal-Assist-Helper-Spring-Removal

 

[GrantM]

Drew this up to give a quick visual description of the clutch spring mechanism.