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YOUR RESEARCHHeavy clutch in my 1999 911 C4. I just got the car.
Reported or suspected cause
broken (or intentionally removed) helper spring
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It's probably a broken (or intentionally removed) helper spring.
Heavy clutch in my 1999 911 C4. I just got the car.
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Leading evidence: 'broken (or intentionally removed) helper spring' (no explicit attributable resolution; this is a reported action or suggestion). Across 1 matching discussions, the most frequently mentioned possible cause is 'broken (or intentionally removed) helper spring' (1 discussions; 0 report identifying it and 1 suggest it). The most frequently discussed action is 'Replace helper spring' (1 discussions). For that action, 0 discussions report a resolution and 0 report an unsuccessful attempt. No action has an explicit, attributable resolution report under the current rules. These are forum reports and suggestions, not a confirmed diagnosis.
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Heavy clutch in my 1999 911 C4. I just got the car.
Test drove the car prior
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Suggestion
However, I am curious if you test drove the car prior to purchase and did the clutch feel "heavy" then?
Heavy clutch in my 1999 911 C4. I just got the car.
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I just got home with my new-to-me 1999 Carrera 4 and it is such a nice car. One thing that I'm a little concerned about is the weight of the clutch. It is substantially heavier than my 2001 Boxster S clutch. When the IMS work was done in 2013, they updated the clutch. The company that did it seems to be gone now, so I can't ask. Attached is a pic of the itemized work order, if that helps.
I'm wondering if it may be as simple as a broken or otherwise unattached helper spring that I keep reading about. Or is it just some sort of race clutch that is supposed to be that way. Pressure plate going bad?
I know it could be any of those things. I'm just looking for any thoughts from some of the more experienced folks on here who may have seen similar things in the past.
Thanks!
Don't have an answer to your question but CONGRATS nonetheless. However, I am curious if you test drove the car prior to purchase and did the clutch feel "heavy" then?
No, it was a long distance purchase. I had a PPI done but didn't drive her till after she was mine. PO says it has been heavy since he had it... hasn't changed.
When I purchased my Carrera the clutch felt heavy as well as... gritty. I suppose that would describe the pedal travel. After my new clutch it felt like a Honda. Super light. Maybe PO was hard on it since 2013. Could be time for a new one, and while you're in there this is a convenient time to update the IMS. They also have a shelf-life.
http://imsretrofit.com/service-intervals/
Yes, you are correct. It was completely removed. Now I have to decide if I want to get used to it or put the OEM back in or put a softer one in there. Thanks for the advice!
This is a mod I've seen talked about a few times.. how heavy is it? Can you give some thoughts/insight on how it feels driving it? Pro's vs cons perhaps.
My 99 when the clutch had 80k on it AND just after I replaced it a couple months ago felt so light to the point that it almost feels like i'm driving like mentioned above a Honda or something like that.
Not a fan of how light mine feels but on the flip side... don't want a heavy leg straining clutch either.
I removed the clutch helper spring after it broke and have not put it back on. It takes some getting used to (the clutch pedal is really heavy), but it is much easier to find where the clutch bite is. The helper spring makes the pedal easier to push, but it is harder to feel when the clutch engages.
If you stall the car more than you think you should, try it without the helper spring. It's cheap and I hear its easy to put back in. Its not tough to get out.
I'd just say that I like the feel of my stock clutch on my 2001 Boxster S a lot more than this 911. I can't seem to get a good feel for the clutch with the spring out.
For the most part, unlike other cars I've owned, I lean towards keeping things stock as I trust Porsche has put thought into all aspects of the car. Those choices are what all add up to make it a Porsche.
This mod specifically, I don't believe gives any better clutch feel as it merely makes it harder to press the clutch. Not crazy hard, but harder than any other clutch I've operated. I've seen an option for a lighter than stock spring that may be more of what you want.
John, I agree with you on the clutch pedal power spring. I would reinstall it. However, I wouldn't go full "Hercules clap" for Porsche. Remember, this is the company that gave us the IMS bearing problem, d-chunk, intermix, and cylinder bore scoring.
^^^This. I stalled my 996
way
more than any other car I've driven and it drove me crazy. Then I removed the helper spring. Yes, the clutch is heavier, but in my car it's so much easier to detect where it engages.
I wonder why in some cars it's easy to detect the engagement point with the spring installed and other cars it's difficult. I saw a night and day difference in this on my car when I removed the spring. Note that I actually replaced it with the Home Depot spring (see
https://rennlist.com/forums/996-foru...matically.html
) so that cruise would work.
Wow, that old thread is a monster. I forgot how long that thing got.
TL;DR
Put in the McMaster-Carr spring p/n # 9657k142. It's smaller and offers just the right amount of resistance.
Or, the even-smaller Home Depot spring
(P/N 684838), which offers less resistance.
There are instructions for swapping out the spring in thread referenced in the post above.
This is a source reference. Confirm exact model applicability in the original material.
