Joined
·
30 Posts
Folks,
I replaced the stock clutch helper spring today with a lighter version from Steeda (for about $15). I did it in an attempt to improve the feel of the clutch and make the car smoother to drive. I'm new to Mustangs, and didn't understand the helper spring until I dug into some tech related websites. As I understand the issue, the helper spring makes the clutch pedal easier to depress and hold, but not throughout the entire pedal stroke. It begins helping at about the halfway point, making the pedal easier to hold to the floor. That's a great idea, and comes in handy in stop and go traffic. The downside (from my point of view) is that the clutch resistance isn't consistent as the pedal is released. As I release the clutch, the plates begin to 'bite' at about the halfway point, which is the same point that the helper spring stops helping, making the pedal much firmer at the same time the car is beginning to move. It's not a 'big deal', but I've stalled the car a couple times when I wasn't careful and let the clutch out just a little too far. I installed the Steeda spring because it's much lighter, and therefore doesn't 'help' nearly as much. The downside is that the pedal is stiffer when you hold it to the floor, as well as when you first start to release it, but that stiffness is now consistent through the entire stroke. It took about 10 minutes to get used to, but I personally like the new feel and am willing to trade the 'help' for a clutch that doesn't go from hard to easy, or easy to hard, as I press and release it. Also, our helper spring is different from those in the GT models. If you look on YouTube you'll see several videos about how to replace the GT model, but nothing for the Shelbys. GT's have only one spring, while Shelbys have two, along with a 'middle' spring perch. The Shelby main spring is shorter than the GT and seats against the middle perch, while a second small diameter spring seats against the lower retainer. I was able to remove and replace the two OEM springs (along with the middle retainer) with the new Steeda spring, without tools, in about 5 minutes, and most of that time was spent working my body under the dash so I could see the thing. The only 'tip' I can offer is that it's easier to do if you seat the upper spring perch first, and then compress the spring by hand until the lower retainer snaps into the bottom perch. Anyone else tried this?
Hawkeye
I replaced the stock clutch helper spring today with a lighter version from Steeda (for about $15). I did it in an attempt to improve the feel of the clutch and make the car smoother to drive. I'm new to Mustangs, and didn't understand the helper spring until I dug into some tech related websites. As I understand the issue, the helper spring makes the clutch pedal easier to depress and hold, but not throughout the entire pedal stroke. It begins helping at about the halfway point, making the pedal easier to hold to the floor. That's a great idea, and comes in handy in stop and go traffic. The downside (from my point of view) is that the clutch resistance isn't consistent as the pedal is released. As I release the clutch, the plates begin to 'bite' at about the halfway point, which is the same point that the helper spring stops helping, making the pedal much firmer at the same time the car is beginning to move. It's not a 'big deal', but I've stalled the car a couple times when I wasn't careful and let the clutch out just a little too far. I installed the Steeda spring because it's much lighter, and therefore doesn't 'help' nearly as much. The downside is that the pedal is stiffer when you hold it to the floor, as well as when you first start to release it, but that stiffness is now consistent through the entire stroke. It took about 10 minutes to get used to, but I personally like the new feel and am willing to trade the 'help' for a clutch that doesn't go from hard to easy, or easy to hard, as I press and release it. Also, our helper spring is different from those in the GT models. If you look on YouTube you'll see several videos about how to replace the GT model, but nothing for the Shelbys. GT's have only one spring, while Shelbys have two, along with a 'middle' spring perch. The Shelby main spring is shorter than the GT and seats against the middle perch, while a second small diameter spring seats against the lower retainer. I was able to remove and replace the two OEM springs (along with the middle retainer) with the new Steeda spring, without tools, in about 5 minutes, and most of that time was spent working my body under the dash so I could see the thing. The only 'tip' I can offer is that it's easier to do if you seat the upper spring perch first, and then compress the spring by hand until the lower retainer snaps into the bottom perch. Anyone else tried this?
Hawkeye
