Clutch return spring GT6

[John Bonnett]

I've just been reassembling the pedals into the brackets and have noticed spring fixing holes on the pedal and bracket the same as on the brake pedal. No spring was fitted before so  wondered if there should be one and if others have fitted them?

Thank you,

John

[Jonny-Jimbo]

Yes, there should be a return spring.

[John Bonnett]

Quoted from Jonny-Jimbo

Yes, there should be a return spring.

Thank you for that. I thought there should and did order one yesterday.

[RobPearce]

I see I've been beaten to it while typing....

My suspicion is there should be one, although that's largely based on experience of my 2.5PI, where the clutch pedal return spring had broken. I had a long-running problem with the clutch not working when the engine was really hot (e.g. middle of a massive traffic jam after two hours driving). When cold, it was fine. When it played up, pumping had no effect. Then one day I discovered that lifting the pedal (foot under and hoik) fixed it for the next several operations. That's when I began to investigate the pedal itself rather than the hydraulics, and found the broken return spring. The weight of the pedal was enough to close the fluid return valve so that the system couldn't re-fill after the fluid expanded and contracted. Lifting the pedal away from the plunger, even a tiny bit, avoids the problem.

[John Bonnett]

Quoted from RobPearce

I see I've been beaten to it while typing....

My suspicion is there should be one, although that's largely based on experience of my 2.5PI, where the clutch pedal return spring had broken. I had a long-running problem with the clutch not working when the engine was really hot (e.g. middle of a massive traffic jam after two hours driving). When cold, it was fine. When it played up, pumping had no effect. Then one day I discovered that lifting the pedal (foot under and hoik) fixed it for the next several operations. That's when I began to investigate the pedal itself rather than the hydraulics, and found the broken return spring. The weight of the pedal was enough to close the fluid return valve so that the system couldn't re-fill after the fluid expanded and contracted. Lifting the pedal away from the plunger, even a tiny bit, avoids the problem.

Thank you Rob. Yes I can see how not having a spring could cause a problem.

[don cook1]

Here's a photo of my GT6, on the right is the brake and on the left you can just see the clutch, looks a similar spring arrangement to the brake.

[Jonny-Jimbo]

I had the same issue as Rob on my Mk1 2000 - the spring was faitigued and eventually broke. Luckily a certain hoarder of Triumph parts had a spare one that was hand delivered at the Summer Treasure Hunt...

[Russell]

Quoted from RobPearce

My suspicion is there should be one, although that's largely based on experience of my 2.5PI, where the clutch pedal return spring had broken. I had a long-running problem with the clutch not working when the engine was really hot (e.g. middle of a massive traffic jam after two hours driving).

Interestingly, I still get that issue with your estate, usually when shunting through traffic, or if needing a lot of clutch work when parking and not necessarily if the car is particularly hot.

I'd assumed the master cylinder was on it's way out, but haven't had a chance to investigate fully yet. I'll check the pedal movement, thanks Rob.

Russell.

[RobPearce]

Yes, definitely have a look at the pedal. ISTR the return spring I fitted was awkward and may have become "past its best" while the car was off the road.