Loud pop when I pushed down on clutch pedal last night...

[Jason930]

Hi all,

I was just pulling into the neighborhood last night and as I pushed down on the clutch pedal it there was a loud pop, and now the clutch is completely different.

It still seems to be working, however I was seconders from the driveway when it happened, and I didn't take it to work today from concerns that the cable was breaking.

I've read a bit about a helper spring, could I have just lost this? The pedal used to have a bit of a sweet spot' on the way up, now the pedal just has a constant motion from top to bottom. It really feels quite different, although it appears to still work fine.

Up until this very rarely, but every now and then I would push down on the pedal put it would stop very abruptly, and very firmly about halfway down. It was enough to shift and letting up on the pedal and trying it again was usually fine.

Diagnosis please and thanks in advance!

Jason
'84 930

[Jamie79SC]

Sounds like the helper spring to me. 10 seconds under the car will tell you for sure.

Search the archives for techniques to change the spring. People (myself included) have hurt themselves on this bugger.

[Jack Olsen]

My guess would be the cable, helper spring, or release fork.

[Jason930]

10 seconds for you maybe!

Yes i've found this clutch cable and replacement article (http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/911_clutch_cable/911_clutch_cable.htm) that looks pretty good. Based on those pictures I'll try and see if I see anything wrong.

[Slant930]

Sounds like the helper spring to me. Had the same thing happen to me a couple years ago, loud pop followed by pedaling feeling different. Clutch still worked but didn't feel the same. Investigating showed that the helper spring was gone. Good luck.

[Doug&Julie]

Another vote for the helper spring. Freaked me out when it happened on my '84. I had just bought the car, which wasn't cheap, and thought "oh great, here comes a huge repair!" Nope. Helper spring. I had a mechanic put it in for me, but it looks really easy. I think it's covered in Wayne's 101 Projects book, FYI.

[autobonrun]

I vote helper spring as well since you have some use of the clutch. When the cable attachment to my pedal cluster broke, the clutch went all the way to the floor and I had nothing.

[Jason930]

Thanks for the input everyone.

I was just under it, and as far as I can tell it looks allright, but I really don't know what I'm looking at.

I took a quick video of it in action, is it supposed to move so much?

Video is 2mb if you care to look and tell me if that spring action is correct.

Thanks!

Link: http://www.mooligan.com/helper.avi

edit: yes it is covered in wayne's book, im looking at it now

[Jason930]

Anyone take a look at this that can confirm a problem with that spring?

Sorry to bump to the front..

[Doug&Julie]

I don't know enough to know exactly what went wrong. When it happened to my car, it came completely off...I had to get a new spring! I see your spring there, but don't know what it's doing or not doing.

Big help, huh?

[Jason930]

Wish mine was missing to at least explain what happened! I too don't know what it is or isn't doing.

Thanks for looking at least =/

[Jerry S]

I always thougth that the spring at the gearbox was the clutch return spring.

I had the exact thing happen to me where there was a weird change in clutch action but functioned properly anyway.

My problem was, in the 930, was another spring located in the pedal assembly area. This is a counter spring of some sort which creates a more balanced clutch function. Pull back some carpet at the pedal and I bet you see a broken or fallen off spring there. Vaguely remember it being a slight pain to actually put on.

Jerry S

[bigchillcar]

jason..i've done it all with 915 gearbox clutch cables..adjusting them a hundred times or more and replaced them. mine is earlier, so i don't have a helper spring, but what i could see form your video, the spring appears intact and working. i would suggest examing the cable on the 'pedal end'. pull up the carpet, remove the floor panel behind the pedals and look all around the assembly..there's a return spring on mine (maybe on yours too..not 100% sure), but it can break and cause a pop. mine broke a few years ago..now the pedal doesn't 'return as quickly without this spring', but everything still works without it. it;s possible this is what broke and you could definitely hear it, as it's right under your feet. hopefully someone will chime in as to whether the '84 model has a return spring for the clutch.
ryan

[bigchillcar]

was another spring located in the pedal assembly area.

jerry..this is officially called the 'clutch return spring'. the one at the tranny end on your cars is the 'helper spring'..fyi..
ryan

[Jerry S]

Thanks 'bigchillcar' I was always unsure which one was which, and I am still sure that the problem in this case is a spring behind the wood and carpet at the clutch pedal.

Jerry S

[bigchillcar]

jerry...yep, clutch return spring..
ryan

[Jason930]

Excellent, thanks I'll check under the floorboard and let you know.

Thanks for the tip

[Jason930]

Thanks a lot, took the floorboard out yesterday and found the broken return spring.

[bigchillcar]

excellent, jason. like i said..mine broke over 4 years ago and i've never even bothered to replace..so, no '4-alarm fire urgency' to replace. one of these days i will..
ryan