Helper Spring...cant remove main arm assembly

[McG]

Car: 1984 Targa with 915 transmission

Project: replace clutch cable and helper spring (on tran.)

Problem: I removed the cable, return spring, circlip and the small lever arm, but I cannot get the main arm assembly off. I've pryed with a screwdriver, but no luck...

I've read the tech articles, posts, and 101 and can seem to find anything...they say "it should slide off"...It aint slidin'. What am I doing wrong? And, more importantly how do I do it right?
Thanks

[CarreraS2]

Do you see a pin driven in there?

Like at the very top/center of this fuzzy pic?



If so, you need to drive the pin out.

One of those little details a lot of the manuals/instructions leave out!

[Doug E]

Don't have a great answer for you but ...

I just went through the same nightmare with mine. Unlike the picture I don't have a pin in the main arm (maybe a feature on later cars ???). Fortunately my tranny is out of the car and since I was replacing the release fork I pulled the entire shaft out and then went to work.

After about an hour of pounding with a rubber mallet, some PB blaster and a bunch of cursing/praying I finally got mine out. Apparantly over time and with the seals broken a bunch of crud got in there and basically allowed the shaft to become stuck on the arm (which probably explains my sticky clutch pedal).

I honestly don't know how I would have done this if the tranny had still been in the car with the exception of mabe applying a bunch of heat.

Take your time as you don't want to bend/damage that assembly and good luck!

[Jim Smolka]

Once the clip is off, the arm should slide off the shaft.

Then it is time to rebuild the arm. IMHO, it is best to replace all the stuff inside of the arm (bearings, o-ring, washers, clip). It is not too hard to do.





Couple of tricks

1. Clean arm, bead blast, paint etc.
2. Set the depth for just a slight amount of pressure on the O-Ring.
3. The small bearings have a taper edge on one side.
4. Use a small amount of high pressure grease on the bearings

[CarreraS2]

Jim is correct, UNLESS you have one of the arms with a pin.

The pic that Jim posted shows one of the arms without the pin. My pic shows what it looks like with the pin.

Hard to tell which have and which don't. My '78 had it, I've seen other '78s without it. Seems kind of hit and miss.

[Gunter]

I think he just wants to remove the helper "C" spring without removing the tranny. Use a penetrating oil sprayed from underneath the lever assembly. The above drawing shows the details. I recommend to get a Bentley manual. When installing a new spring, I use a dab of grease on the pivot pin. Good luck.

[fstar]

Sorry for the dumb question...just what does the helper spring do?
thanks

[Jim Smolka]

Steve,

The spring is to help reduce the amount of force needed to depress the clutch. Otherwise, left leg would get all the work. To equalize the workout for the right leg, one would have to ride a kick start Harley

[UTKarmann_Ghia]

In addition, if your helper spring is broken, you will risk damaging part of your pedal assembly and stretching your cable. These parts are not made for the kindof pressure you will get if your helper spring breaks. When I bought my SC, the helper spring was broken and I had to replace the cable and nylon bushing which attaches the cable to the pedal assembly. The cable had gone through the bushing and started wearing the metal at the pedal assembly. It also gives the clutch a very nice feel to it.

[Tim L]

Check this thread

Clutch Spring Arm Wont Budge - HELP!!!

Tim

[McG]

Thank You all for the feedback.

I always think I am banging too hard, but "heat" and "air hammers"...you guys are tough. I am off to see what comes apart today.

McGeorge