42 replies to this topic

[Jase_MK]

OK, I know this has been done before but one thing I don't think was ever answered was whether driving without the pedal return spring would put extra wear on the clutch plates or whether the leaf spring in the clutch itself are sufficient to separate the plates? My car's waiting for the new ABS module to arrive (couple of weeks prob) at which point it'll go in for that and the timing chain check. I think I'll leave the clutch spring till then. Frightened the life out of me last night though! Luckily I was trundling along nice and slowly....

[vx_220]

mine went on Saturday, my god it was loud. Doesn't seem to make that much difference to the driving experience. Chris

[JimH]

The spring is there to stop the pedal rattling and to add a bit of weight to the pedal (sports cars have heavy clutches, apparently). There won't be any adverse effect from driving with it missing.

[Mutt & Jeff]

I'm really not looking forward to this......everytime the spring creaks I now wince How long/many miles on average before the first one gives up the ghost? Is there anything that can be done to prevent this happening? cheers

[Jase_MK]

How long/many miles on average before the first one gives up the ghost?

Mines got 8500.

cheers guys, I'll leave it for now then.

[PJG]

Is it worth removing??? I'm getting paranoid

[Ricky2772]

yeah, been thinking of removing it as well.... not for the weight though, ,the wait for the "big bang" is just wearing me out... :ph34r:

[Beergut]

I'm really not looking forward to this......everytime the spring creaks I now wince
How long/many miles on average before the first one gives up the ghost? Is there anything that can be done to prevent this happening?
cheers

Mine went twice, take it back to the Dealer and they should mod the bracket the spring clips onto, apparently Lotus changed the bracket without telling Vauxhall. Only way my dealer noticed was by comparing the car with one in the showroom. Don't let them tell you it's not a known fault, it is.

[JimH]

24,000 miles and counting.

[vx_220]

11k when mine went, nothing can prepare you for the bang it makes. Had I not read about it on here beforehand I probably would have got out the car and legged it. My girlfriend went white in the passenger seat. Chris

[PJG]

Sorry for being naive.... what does it hit that makes such a noise??? Can you see this spring?? Is it easy to remove ?? :ph34r: :ph34r:

[JimH]

You can see it and it is easy to remove. There really is no reason to and this lot are being a right bunch of girls about it. If it goes then it will make a bit of a noise but don't let it spoil your enjoyment. The rest of you can settle down a bit. There are some people in the world with real problems. Me, for instance.

[cheeky_chops]

Sorry for being naive.... what does it hit that makes such a noise???
Can you see this spring?? Is it easy to remove ??

:ph34r: :ph34r:

i think its just the spring breaking - i looked last month and its not nancy thin, its quite thick for a spring

[robin]

was there something about this a few weeks ago?did someone say to file the hole the spring goes through or something like that cant remember!

[mal_dun]

I went for months without the spring. It made no difference to the pedal action or pressure. I even had the salesman, who is very VX experienced, test it and he couldn't tell the difference. The pedal returns as quickly as ever and reaches full lift. As everyone who has experienced it break it's a brown trousers job

[jules_s]

sorry to jack this old chestnut upto the top......but mine went yesterday AGAIN. Obviously this time i knew what that bang was so didnt fill my shorts...BUT (and the reason for the post) is the uncanny uselessness of my local dealer. I ring servicing (is that a vectra?) 'no its a vx220NA'....and they say they'll ring me back.....in the meantime i ring parts to order some springs myself...helpful chap, he said that since i'd had one before they should be in stock.....no chance. So im waiting again, im gonna demand the alteration on the plate aswell. Ive ordered three now, at approx £3-50 each....anybody got good experiences of dealers around bristol? im seriously considering taking my time elsewhere

[jim]

Benny_H - I live in Bristol & went to Cheltenham (Bayliss, Haynes & Strange) I havent used their servicing but can highly recomend their parts and sales depts. I have met their VX technition (?spelling?) seems like a decent chap i wouldnt have the slightest hesitation/concern letting them work on mine. Might be worth a call to Steve in sales he lurks on this board from time to time so knows the probs we have and usually gets his looked at first! Its only an hour up the road. Dunno if that helps.

[jules_s]

thanks Jim, I think i must have been talking to the teaboy this morning, I will definitely have a look at cheltenham esp since the road out there (not the M5 one) is a looovely drive

[BogBrush]

Earlier this morning I was sitting at a roundabout just to pull out when my Clutch return spring failed. There I was half asleep and BANG! I thought a brick had hit the front of my car. I felt something fall against my leg and noticed a large spring. D'oh! Another trip to the delears. Do I hold the record for the longest time the return spring has held up? 14200 miles on one spring Clutch feels very light now btw. Colin

[BogBrush]

Earlier this morning I was sitting at a roundabout just to pull out when my Clutch return spring failed. There I was half asleep and BANG! I thought a brick had hit the front of my car. I felt something fall against my leg and noticed a large spring. D'oh! Another trip to the delears. Do I hold the record for the longest time the return spring has held up? 14200 miles on one spring Clutch feels very light now btw. Colin