GR86 GR86 - The clutch pedal thread

I've lowered the clutch pedal to be slightly higher than the brake pedal, and that's made a huge difference. Gear changes and pulling away definitely feel a lot nicer now.

As far as I can tell having the clutch that high isn't going to cause any issues with the clutch not disengaging properly (based on letting the call roll when in gear but with the clutch out, and the gear changes still feel smooth.

It's a bit awkward to show the height, but using a measuring tape the brake pedal face is roughly in line with the back of the silver clutch pedal face.
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In the interest of balance. I don’t understand why anyone struggles with the clutch. Feels normal to me.

We have multiple manual cars in the household and I often jump from one car to the other. The only one that takes a minute to adjust to is the Aygo as the clutch is cable not hydraulic. GR clutch feels great in comparison.

I used to race a Caterham with a cable operated paddle clutch and high lift cams, now that WAS tricky trying to be smooth at low speed but was easy enough to learn.
 
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Vimes said:
In the interest of balance. I don’t understand why anyone struggles with the clutch. Feels normal to me.

We have multiple manual cars in the household and I often jump from one car to the other. The only one that takes a minute to adjust to is the Aygo as the clutch is cable not hydraulic. GR clutch feels great in comparison.

I used to race a Caterham with a cable operated paddle clutch and high lift cams, now that WAS tricky trying to be smooth at low speed but was easy enough to learn.
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I don't think there is a issue with the clutch but there is definitely something up with the mapping of the throttle. Especially in 1st and 2nd. I had a lorry let me out of a junction the other day and in a hurry I just ended up coming out of the junction with oppo lock on. It was quite embarrassing really as I wasn't trying to make it a spectacle.

What adjusting the clutch does is help mask those throttle issues. At least that is the conclusion I have come to but will wait to reserve judgement until I get more miles on it and some proper hard driving. I am pretty sure it is some emissions rubbish that will get mapped out when the tuners get going.

My other car is a 2004 Saab 9-5 Aero and a 1995 Toyota Celica GT-Four. Both are manual and sublime on the throttle in comparison. I have driven plenty of manual transmissions over the years including 12 speed truck but nothing has been as hard to master as the GR86 in 1st and 2nd!
 
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Conscript said:
Thanks to @ZN8 I've now been able to fit another clutch spring which is about 75% lighter than stock (LC095L02M) spring, as he ordered a lighter one but was happy with the MTEC equivalent strength, and was happy to donate the unused one to me.

The result is about as I expected....it's improved the feel of the clutch even more. It's not as big an improvement as moving from stock to the MTEC equivalent spring (which is about 58% weaker), but I now can't feel the point where the clutch pedal pivots on the spring at all. It's now weak enough that it doesn't seem to be providing any meaningful assistance to pushing the clutch down, which means that most of the resistance I can feel must be from the clutch itself.

The clutch pedal does feel heavier as a result, but it's by no means a problem or obstructive. No heavier than most other manual cars I've driven. As I said a few months ago, really it's just averaging out the force required throughout the whole pedal travel; it doesn't feel like the pedal effort changes when you reach that point where the spring pivots from pushing the pedal up, to helping push it down.

I can see why many in the US ditch the spring entirely...that would give you maximum feedback by ensuring the only force pushing back against your foot is that of the clutch plate itself. But of course you'll end up with a mushy pedal as it won't return to its top position. I guess the ultimate solution is to fit the weakest spring you can find...literally just strong enough to keep the pedal from being slack.
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I’ve just listed 5 of these lighter springs for sale in the classifieds if anybody is interested.

I’ll try eBay if there is no interest on here 👍🏻
 
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As Bluemanc100 has sold all his springs, I have just put an order in for 6 so will be able to provide spring to other members who are looking to do this mod. Once I have them I will put them up in the classified section and members can PM me. Happy to do my bit for this forum. (y)
 
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Gibbo78 said:
As Bluemanc100 has sold all his springs, I have just put an order in for 6 so will be able to provide spring to other members who are looking to do this mod. Once I have them I will put them up in the classified section and members can PM me. Happy to do my bit for this forum. (y)
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Brilliant, I was considering doing this myself after enquiring about buying one off him.

I'll be in touch!

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Installed my sorting today. But inadvertently I twisted the rod to get into place when I was fitting it back. But I don't know how to tell if it is too far down, it drives well though. Any ideas how to tell if this won't cause any issues down the line?
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If you adjust the pedal too far down then you'll know because it will be difficult to shift gears (as even with the pedal depressed, the clutch won't be fully disengaged). But from the look of your photo, the pedal is still a fair way above the brake pedal. I think I adjusted mine lower than that and it feels fine so if yours feel and drives okay, then I wouldn't worry.
 
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JonBon said:
Do these fit well as they are advertised to be for the GT86?
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Not perfect but they do their job. I cut the drivers side near the dead pedal as it was not sitting flat with the floor there. The ones in the back may need trimming a tiny bit as they catch when the seats are moved back and forth
 
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Grblue86 said:
Not perfect but they do their job. I cut the drivers side near the dead pedal as it was not sitting flat with the floor there. The ones in the back may need trimming a tiny bit as they catch when the seats are moved back and forth
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Thank you.
 
I’m a time served mechanic but maybe not as nimble as I used to be..

The clutch spring mod is proving difficult trying to squeeze myself into the footwell on my back…

I think I’m going to have to remove the drivers seat which looks as simple as four bolts.. Has anybody had the seat out, is it as simple as it looks?
 
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