Diagnosis on clutch pedal springs

[47heaven]

Can anyone tell me what would be some good signs that the clutch linkage springs are at the point of breaking or snapping? I noticed now that the pedal only returns to the point to where it's ready to engage instead of back to where there you have the few inches of free play. Usually, I have to take my foot put it behind the pedal to move it back up to it's normal position with the brake pedal. This might be a lubracation problem, but the thing is that it wasn't doing it a week ago. Also, the spring(s) seem to make a creaking noise...sort of reminding me of the sound my clutch cable made on my '74 Capri before it would snap. I think the springs are probably original or at least second generation by the way they look.

Can anyone shed some light on this?

[TodFitch]

Perhaps some lubrication on the clutch linkages is in order.

But I believe you have an "over-center" spring arrangement on the P15 clutch pedal to assist you in depressing the clutch. I know that the equivalent "over-center" spring arrangement on the 1963 D200 pickup that I once owned occasionally got out of whack and gave the same symptoms you describe. Do a search on this forum and I think you will find some information on how to adjust it.

[Norm's Coupe]

You could try lubricating the springs where they attach to the frame. Also 9 out of 10 times a sticking clutch pedal is caused by the clutch adjustment and has nothing to do with the overcenter spring. That's what I would look at. In addition, if you didn't rebuild the clutch with a new pressure plate and pads, that could cause clutch pedal problems. There are several springs in that plate and they could be the noise you hear too.

Are you sure it's a spring squeak? If the clutch pads are worn down to the rivets they will also cause a scrape or squeak noise when you operate the clutch.

All food for thought.

[Normspeed]

Also check that your pedal shaft is not rubbing against the floorboard. These things tend to get out of whack and rub. It increases friction and makes a groaning noise.

[47heaven]

Ok...with all this info, let me see if any of these things mentioned might be the problem. I'll get back on this later today. Thanks, guys!

[Normspeed]

My 53 linkage was increasingly stiff, even after I lubed the fitting. I finally went under there and hit all moving surfaces with a squirt can, and it loosened right up. The grease fitting was only lubing the right end of the pivot arm, not the left.