Hey just wanted to share my thoughts on the removal of the Clutch pedal helper spring as discussed in great detail on rennlist. Basically it's a sissy spring so the clutch isnt as hard to push down. I have found the clutch in my car to be consistantly tricky to operate and decided to give the spring removal procedure a try. This spring is also the source of the infamous clutch pedal squeeeek, so it got rid of that as well. I noticed after removing the spring, the clutch pedal travel felt much shorter, only marginally requiring more effort, but Waaaaay easier to modulate the clutch. Changing gears is quicker since the clutch is much faster in operation I feel. I Highly recommend you give it try when you have free time, heck you can always put the thing back in. I honestly believe Porsche should have never put that stupid little spring thing in.

 

Thanks for sharing!

 

on the rennlist forums search for "Improved Clutch Action Dramatically"

 

the spring was intended for the DD's. Yes, clutch feels predictable w/o the boost spring... one of my favorite mods.

 

I think it's a match with cars of a certain "personality". I removed mine from my 02 C4 Cab and wound up putting it back. I had / have no issues with uncertain clutch action. I did have issues with cruise control with the spring removed. It's back in. The clutch works easier with it. It does squeak but...... I'm going to second guess Porsche here and put some light grease on it. I hypothesize that Porsche does not recommend a lubricant because their customers would not tolerate a drip of lube on the floor mat.

 

The problem with your cruise control was probably because this same spring holds the clutch pedal out against its upper stop. There is a switch there that is intended to disengage cruise if/when you push in the clutch. W/o the spring some (myself included) report the pedal has too much free play and this can lead to the behavior wdonovan mentioned.

I used the much lighter McMaster-Carr P/N 9657K142 to replace the OEM spring and have been very happy with the results.

 

"The problem with your cruise control was probably......"

Yeah I know. That's why I put the spring back in. I could have re-engineered it, used a lighter spring, etc. but the clutch was fine before I took the spring out.

 

Dscott, where do you get that spring from?

 

DJbrand1, go to http://www.mcmaster.com/ and search for their P/N 9657K142 which comes as a set of 6 identical springs for about $12 delivered, as I recall.

Use one and have 5 spares, or get several friends for a 'group' buy, or PM me and I'll send you one of my spares...

 

I did this mod for my daily driver 996. The clutch is def stiffer but it feels much better than it did when I had the spring helper on.

 

I removed the spring too. No way I'm ever going back. And no cruise control issues here.

 

Forgot to mention that my cruise control works normal as well.

 

link to directions?

 

I guess I'm mechanically retarded but I can't seem to figure out how to remove this thing. I'm pretty sure the spring broke the other day due to the horrible pedal feel after I heard a snap sound. When told to put a nail to hold the spring , where exactly do you guys put the nail and once the nail is holding the spring do you just wiggle it out while pushing the clutch pedal ??

 

Here's a photo of the assembly still installed in the car and showing where the rod can extend out the end of the housing. You move the clutch pedal until you can insert a small nail through the hole, then reposition the pedal as needed to release tension on the assembly's pivots so that you can remove.


Use caution when you dismantle the assembly because the OEM spring has considerable tension when compressed. Obviously if your spring is broken this may be much easier.


Second photo shows the OEM spring and the much lighter alternative from McMaster Carr mentioned in the earlier post.