Clutch Pedal Return Spring ....

frenchcarnut · Post by **frenchcarnut** » 22 Sep 2010, 14:46

....or whatever it's called, on a C15 (Visa derived van).

Can I get it back on? Can I heck. I just scraped shed loads of skin off the back of my left hand trying to negotiate between the narrow aperture afforded between the brake and clutch pedals. I can just about get the spring, which is only small, onto the pedal where the cable attaches but then trying to bring it up back onto the chassis/bulkhead retainer is almost impossible. I'm sure Citroen must have a 1 ft man to get in with a specialised tool.

Any thoughts please before I do a Basil Fawlty?

handyman · Post by **handyman** » 22 Sep 2010, 15:01

I think you will find that this part is assembled prior to all the body parts being fitted and welded!

H

frenchcarnut · Post by **frenchcarnut** » 22 Sep 2010, 15:13

handyman wrote:I think you will find that this part is assembled prior to all the body parts being fitted and welded!

H

The trouble is, I couldn't get the clutch cable retainer off the pedal without removing the spring. It's only small, but what a b****r!!! I'm normally "in the zone" when fixing any vehicle, but this got me pretty worked up - bad back and all .

flying clutchman · Post by **flying clutchman** » 22 Sep 2010, 19:19

These carefully crafted and calculated springs are usually completely unnecessary. I can't remember exactly how yours is but there's a whole list of cars where these springs just don't seem to really matter. Worst example is mk4 golf which has an enornously strong spring on a HYDRAULIC set-up which is impossible to put back on after replacing the frquently broken clutch pedal. The clutch works fine with perceptable change in feel. In short if you can leave it off!

spider · Post by **spider** » 22 Sep 2010, 19:31

handyman wrote:I think you will find that this part is assembled prior to all the body parts being fitted and welded!

H

I thought that was the heater matrix they started with and then built the rest around it...

On topic, is this the 'assister' spring or a pedal return spring ? , some people throw the 'assister' spring away, although I've not seen a C15 to determine what type of pedal box they have.

frenchcarnut · Post by **frenchcarnut** » 22 Sep 2010, 20:27

Thanks all. I feel like throwing the darn thing away. Can we upload images? I can show you

spider · Post by **spider** » 22 Sep 2010, 20:33

Upload to photobucket and then use

Code: Select all

[IMG]http://www.photobucket.com/ image name etc[/IMG]

to display on here

frenchcarnut · Post by **frenchcarnut** » 22 Sep 2010, 20:41

spider wrote:Upload to photobucket and then use
Code: Select all
[IMG]http://www.photobucket.com/ image name etc[/IMG]
to display on here

DO I have to register there? Okay, will take a look. Other than that, see if virginmedia have given me some cloud space and bandwidth

spider · Post by **spider** » 22 Sep 2010, 21:03

frenchcarnut wrote:
spider wrote:Upload to photobucket and then use
Code: Select all
[IMG]http://www.photobucket.com/ image name etc[/IMG]
to display on here
DO I have to register there? Okay, will take a look. Other than that, see if virginmedia have given me some cloud space and bandwidth

You (probably) will yes, You can use other hosting sites obviously.

This site does not permit attachments so you need to host them elsewhere and just link to them.

Post by **myglaren** » 22 Sep 2010, 22:07

frenchcarnut wrote:Thanks all. I feel like throwing the darn thing away. Can we upload images? I can show you

Send them to me - email button at the bottom of the post

frenchcarnut · Post by **frenchcarnut** » 28 Oct 2010, 16:05

Well clutch pedal return spring is proving to be a real problem. Had my head upside down in the footwell for over an hour (that's longer than getting the gearbox back onto the engine) trying get this darn thing back on (I now feel quite bilious).

I now know I need it after testing the replacement clutch which seemed a far easier job. The trouble is, any slack at the end of the clutch cable disengages the cable from the pedal if the pedal is not returned quickly enough. Twice now, I've had to release the tension on the cable from the gearbox end and fiddle getting the cable back on. That's the easy bit however.

Looking at Haynes, it's the ubiquitous case of "refitting is the reverse of removal". Well Mr Haynes Mechanic, have you actually tried it?

It seems to me that to get any purchase/leverage on the spring from the pedal to the bracket requires removal of the steering column....and I don't fancy that ta muchly. Agrrrrrr.

Anyway, 'ere goes another session messing with screwdrivers/levers/coat hangers/other aids..........

flying clutchman · Post by **flying clutchman** » 28 Oct 2010, 16:48

Is this a self adjusting cable? If so buty a manual one and you won't need the spring!

frenchcarnut · Post by **frenchcarnut** » 28 Oct 2010, 17:12

Just done it Clutchman.

flying clutchman wrote:Worst example is mk4 golf which has an enornously strong spring on a HYDRAULIC set-up which is impossible to put back on after replacing the frquently broken clutch pedal.

I can believe it.

In the end it was a bit of hot glue on the end of a long screwdriver to stop the spring slipping as I struggled to lift it onto the bracket, and a very stretched forefinger - not to mention some sore arms/scraped hands to boot.....AGAIN. Perhaps I have no aptitude for springs in confined spaces!!!!!

flying clutchman wrote:Is this a self adjusting cable? If so buty a manual one and you won't need the spring!

I've had real problems procuring the cable as even Citroen couldn't get it right - which I presume is a self-adjusting version. So stuck with what I had, even though I thought it needed replacing given the general condition. I'll post pictures of the cable g/b end for both the original and the one I bought but never fitted and I'll be grateful if you can identify one over the other.

myglaren wrote:Send them to me - email button at the bottom of the post

Thanks myglaren, I've got the uploading sorted now. Saves bugging you.

Pleased with the overall job in the end, but this was the last darn thing to do and I was dreading it. But finished work early today and had a go. I almost threw the toys out the pram though just now and was relieved in the end. However, I think the pedal feels better without the spring.

Thanks for all your advice Clutchman! You kept me going as I struggled on my own, on a main road with a trolley jack, a few tools and loads of funny looks from those who think that DIY mechanics are nothing short of cretinous freaks - as well as opportunist thieves who forced me to lock all my tools away if I was to be away from the van for any longer than a blink of an eye.

Cheers!!!! I'm going to have a beer tonight.

EDIT: If I have to do this again, I'm minded to stick a pin through the pedal hole, behind the cable bracket, simply to stop cable end popping loose of the bracket.