Saab 9-3 sedan clutch pedal helper spring clip repair

2003 Saab 9-3 sedan clutch pedal helper spring clip repair. Part was $16.83 shipped from West County Saab in Manchester, MO.
Clutch pedal helper spring brings the pedal back up after it's depressed. It's possible to drive without it, but cruise control won't work unless you flip the pedal up with your toe and hold it. Also, the clutch pedal will of course already be halfway depressed (just before engagement) at all times.

[@HB-vi3om]

For installing, I was able to insert a cable tie in the spring, compress the spring, then tighten the cable tie, helping keep it compressed. After it was installed, I cut and removed the cable tie, allowing the spring to "relax" Thanks for the video!

[@michaeloxman3820]

I couldn't get the leverage (or didn't have the strength) to wrestle it in so I did exactly what you did with zip ties. Great idea, thanks for posting!!!

[@G-Wiz]

Your advice was perfect. Using your method it slid right into place. Thank you for the time saving and stress reducing tip.

[@sinderfelon]

Glad to hear the video helped!

[@PatrickWeisgarber]

Brilliant advice in the video! Thank you! Before watching this, I wasted about an hour trying to compress the spring and hold it in place using various methods,, including a zip tie. The zip tie simply was not strong enough and stretched when I loosened the vice. After watching the video, I positioned the spring in the channel as described and slid it forward until the clip popped into place. It was surprisingly easy and only took about a minute. Compressing the clutch pedal by hand every now and then helped keep the spring/clip assembly moving forward. Not sure it’s been said, but it’s best if you remove the panel underneath. It’s a bit of a pain, but it makes the access much easier.

[@sinderfelon]

Removing the panel is a great idea.

[@LoganEdwards]

Thanks for posting this. The same yellow clip broke a few months back on my '07 Aero. I'll refer to this again when I replace the part.

[@AS-gl8sz]

Good tip! I also had to add a paper "shim" in the new plastic clip to hold it onto the top of the new spring assembly. Without it, the clip kept falling off. I also put the new spring assembly in a vise and compressed it fully. Once compressed, I tied the spring together with light weight string to hold it in the compressed state while I installed it as per the video. After it was in place, I cut the strings, releasing the spring tension, and seating the spring securely in both perches. Then went back upstairs to the LazyBoy to straighten out my back and have a victory beer.

[@sinderfelon]

I like the vice/string idea. Have you had to replace your wiper motor yet?

[@krikordzeronian]

Thanks for the video. One tip i have for others struggling with this is to press the clutch with their hand while trying to slide the yellow piece up the track as explained in the video. *** Just make sure you have the handbrake on so your car does not roll down the hill *** Pressing the clutch all the way will give you more space so you don't have to compress the spring too much to snap it into place. Good luck!

[@OG_DSM]

Krikor Kirkorov nicceeeee hint... thanks. I haven't attempted it yet but I assumed I would do that to make it snap in place.

[@sinderfelon]

Update: Clutch pedal helper spring still working great. However, I wish I had the foresight to lubricate the spring and clips with some white lithium grease to prevent the annoying creaking and squeaking when the pedal is depressed. I've been spraying it with silicone spray with a little bit of success but it's pretty hard to access (and determine exactly where to spray).

[@sinderfelon]

Update: Got rid of the squeaking (which was more noticable in hot weather) by dabbing white lithium grease on the spring and plastic parts using my fingers. I'm pretty sure the squeaking wasn't coming from the spring, but rather from the friction between the plastic contact points. I must have gotten enough into the small clip that it spread on its own after a few pedal presses.

[@OG_DSM]

sinderfelon Hey there.... I was driving the other day and yep... spring fell out... time to make the repair.. thanks for the quik video instructional. I had no idea someone would post this. for now I have to squat down and press the little button under the clutch to start my car.

[@robertparker7087]

I changed the clutch sping and the pedal is on the floor u have lift it back up by hand and when u press it it gose back to the floor ?

[@Whit_Siever]

I bought mine used and the spring itself was missing, $28 later I have the spring, it came with a tiny bump metal clip does that go on bottom on pedal side or toward top on yellow piece?

[@Whit_Siever]

UPDATE: I see now. And I see my yellow clip too is broke. Another $9.24 down the drain all in the name of restoring this car's cruise control.....

[@sinderfelon]

Whit, pretty small price to get that working! Nice job.

[@jmlifestyle9079]

its bad to drive without the helper spring? what happened if I do it?

[@sinderfelon]

+Juan Manuel Jerez Llamas If the spring was working before it fell out you should have noticed the clutch pedal only returns halfway to the up position. You can still drive without it - there's just no sweet spot in the pedal positioning (the pedal just rests on the engage point rather than coming all the way up) and cruise control does not work unless you use your toe to bring the clutch pedal up all the way. Not sure if there are any long-term ramifications.

[@AntonioBrandao]

What happens if I drive the car without this spring? Because the spring fell off while I was driving and still drove around 5 minutes without noticing any difference... Same Saab 93

[@sinderfelon]

+Antonio Brandao If the spring was working before it fell out you should have noticed the clutch pedal only returns halfway to the up position. You can still drive without it - there's just no sweet spot in the pedal positioning (the pedal just rests on the engage point rather than coming all the way up) and cruise control does not work unless you use your toe to bring the clutch pedal up all the way. Not sure if there are any long-term ramifications.

[@TheRocky0601]

Well mine fell off, 7 years ago and I never fixed it - It's slow between the gear change and the engine tends to be lagging alot more than it use to before the spring fell off but I adjusted my driving and never cared fixing it until now - The car is a 2003 saab 9-3SS and till going strong! (3rd turbo 2nd engine)

[@sinderfelon]

Rocky Lobster I agree you can drive without it but the car is more fun to drive with this relatively easy fix. I also have a 2003 (150k miles) with original engine and turbo. Do I have something to worry about?

[@TheRocky0601]

It is more fun to drive with in than without and it also is a really easy fix - What do you mean by worry about? The condition of your saab is influenced by the way its been driven ;)

[@sinderfelon]

Rocky Lobster I just thought you might have insight on the turbo, engine, or anything else I can look forward to malfunctioning. Lots of people (including me) have had problems with the headlights bulbs, radio amp, and wiper motor.

[@OG_DSM]

dude... I paid $50 for mine..... 😑😑😑

[@sinderfelon]

Wow - was it hard to find? Where did you get it?BTW - do you know anything about the speakers cutting out because of the amp under the driver's seat problem?

[@ryanwesson91]

sinderfelon in the amp there are 2 fiber optic cables (black cables running into the motherboard looking thing) so how it works is the amp has a input cable and the output cable, if connected the door speakers won't work but the rear and front ones will. I simply tore apart my amp and took the optic cables out to connect then (using a piece of an old glowstick) I essentially rerouted the optic cable to amp 2 so I can hear my turn signals and play music. there is however one downside to this, it's a temporary fix as your battery will be draining energy even when the car is off (about 3 fold what the alarm uses) so you will need to replace the battery every year but it's a great fix if you're planning on buying the amp 1 before it hits that one year mark.

[@ryanwesson91]

sinderfelon you could spend the money to have the amp looked at and it can possibly be fixed but I highly recommend my method as it's really a great temporary fix that WILL WORK

[@ryanwesson91]

sinderfelon a lot of people do it differently but I've got a picture if ya need help.

[@OG_DSM]

sinderfelon i would say remove and re-install the amp. spray wires with litium