This Spring Makes Gear Shifts Easier & Clutch Pedal Wear After 10 Years of Learners

[@jaye3336]

I never thought in a million years I'd find a video on how to fix a clutch pedal interesting 😅 You're a born teacher Richard! 😊

[@paulriggers1558]

mechanic here, credit where due, this is a good vid, + a good explanation of how a diaphragm spring type pressure plate works

[@Ellie-vc1bl]

I passed my test almost 2 months ago but still watch your channel as it is very interesting and has lots of useful information.

[@shiriajin]

I passed mine a year ago and I still watch this channel and recommend it.

[@saityavuz76]

While learning to drive and getting my licence, the teaching facility I went to had an old beat up hyundai i10 with a clutch that was really ambiguous and hard to press. On one of my lessons the car got a check engine light so we had to switch to their second car, which just got off the shop and the clutch was light and the bite point was obvious. I realized how intuitive and easy it was to use the clutch after that point. I think it is for the best for beginners to learn using new clutch pedals that aren't worn yet. I ended up getting my exam in that freshly built car and thanks to that I had no hiccups of any sort and passed. Glad you made the change, I bet your students will appreciate them the way I did.

[@user-jg6vw3em9f]

Hey Richard, Enjoyed watching this particular video and really impressed by your multi skills in repairing your car. You have extended the life of a your vehicle by at least 80,000 miles, whereas other drivers may have found it easier to scrap a good working vehicle. Well done 😊

[@CautiousCrow]

My Volvo C30 clutch pedal kicks your foot up when it gets near the bite point which makes it super hard to feather the clutch. I got a much lighter, aftermarket pedal return spring and it solved the issue.

[@dangerbanana8234]

Planning on doing this with my Focus which I assume uses the same spring. Only discovered lighter, aftermarket pedal return springs were a thing recently!

[@CautiousCrow]

@@dangerbanana8234 Yes, the Focus ST and RS uses the same spring.

[@whyarewehere3893]

@@dangerbanana8234 i liked my focus's heavier clutch

[@Alexiosftw]

I live in the US. There are many millions of options for automatic cars and it is pretty much standard to buy one here. But I WANT a manual car, and having little to no experience driving one, I challenged myself to learn to drive one. Both my parents learned on manuals in Europe in the 80s and 90s but have not driven one since. Your videos have really helped me in better understanding what to do and combined with my racing simulator setup have given me enough confidence to learn on my own. Now I just need to find a car 😂

[@ilovebreakingbad9739]

Passed today first time with 3 minors, your videos have been the best out of all the KZbin instructors

[@ConquerDriving]

That's fantastic news! Thank you for watching and congratulations on passing!

[@mr5ed]

The way you present and deliver your stories is beautiful and makes it a joy to watch

[@anuneu4722]

I love your channel this was the reason why I passed my driving exam in under 15 lessons thank you for everything 😊😊❤

[@MartinRusnak]

I also have a high mileage VW concern car from around the same time and my clutch is heavy as well. Glad you made this video. Now I can breathe easily since I know the heaviness is caused by just the age of the pedal and not the clutch itself.

[@ConquerDriving]

They also get heavy as they wear if they have a self adjusting pressure plate. I believe the pressure plate has less leverage as it adjusts to take up the space caused by the wear. So it could be the pedal but may not be.

[@MartinRusnak]

​@@ConquerDriving Thanks. I need to stop the habit of jumping to conclusions quickly.

[@Oli-xc4tm]

Through a combination of Driving Lessons, private practice and your videos I finally passed my test first time on Monday. Thanks Richard

[@ConquerDriving]

That's fantastic news! Thank you for watching and congratulations on passing!

[@dielaughing73]

Some carmakers have got this setup awfully wrong. It's well-known in 370Z circles that the 'helper' spring is WAY too stiff. Forums are full of people saying "I've been driving manual forever but just can't get my shifts smooth in this car". Seems to be an issue in the GT86 too. You either remove the spring entirely or swap it out for one several times less stiff. Totally transforms the clutch feel. You're right though Richard, working on the clutch pedal in a RHD car is no fun at all. Our American friends have it easy because the clutch is just inside the driver's door. Lucky buggers

[@daviemac9925]

I take an interest in how all the bits work, I'm driving along quite happily, steering and pressing pedals and changing gears. So thanks for the insight.

[@bazzatron9482]

It's very surprising to me that this terminology hasn't been changed to something like "main cylinder" and "actuator cylinder", it feels like this has mostly changed in my industry for quite a long time now. Very great video, and has given me an idea on how to sort out the cruise control on my picasso, so thanks for that!

[@Dozeji]

Your off-topic comment about "Seat manual" caused me to go on a little tangent and discover a car manual website that helped me figure out my car's ECU error it threw at me a few months back. A completely spontaneous discovery, but... thanks, Richard!

[@jasimrans.a.n]

Just passed my test for the third time - thank you so much, Richard, you don’t know how much your videos helped me!!!! It really is the best feeling ever to finally have passed!!!!! Also, I struggle with really bad anxiety, but what helped me was just saying out loud exactly what I was doing and not overthinking (even tho I felt like an idiot at first) ❤❤

[@ConquerDriving]

That's really great to hear! Congratulations on passing!

[@averyalexander2303]

Great explanation! Something interesting I've experienced is an aftermarket clutch kit that started engaging just a little before I felt it in the pedal, which always felt a little off and made taking off and shifting smoothly a bit hard. I never really did get used to it and stalled it a few times. Instinctively, I just kept lifting the clutch to what felt like the beginning of the bite point, but it actually hit the bite point before I could feel it. That clutch kit was made by a reputable brand too. When I removed the transmission to install a limited slip diff, taller 5th and 6th gears, and a 6 pound lighter but still OEM flywheel, I decided to get an OEM clutch disc and pressure plate too and now it's very easy to take off and shift smoothly and I haven't stalled it since. The clutch now feels totally intuitive. I guess the takeaway is to buy an OEM clutch kit if you want to make sure the clutch works exactly like it did from the factory.

[@ConquerDriving]

This is why I've learnt to avoid after market parts and try to stick as much as possible to original parts. The aftermarket parts usually work, but you never know if they will work as well.

[@datguy6101]

Great diagram showing how the clutch works

[@ShockwaveTLS]

My test is in 6 days, 1st go. I've used your videos primarily for revision outside of lessons and it's really helped me calm my nerves down. It's definitely going to be the biggest obstacle above all else, but I am sure it's gonna go fine!

[@ConquerDriving]

Good luck!

[@ShockwaveTLS]

@@ConquerDrivingpassed with only 2 minors! Thanks so much for your videos, I’ll keep watching so I can prepare myself for being a new independent driver!

[@jamiemaik786]

I'm glad to say I passed last week after being unable to sleep and watching your videos an hour before my exam. As they say the learning begins now, so you can count on my viewership!

[@ConquerDriving]

Congratulations on passing!

[@majoriix]

My '94 Rover has a cable clutch, it's pretty heavy as it's just a straight connection to the throwout bearling lever on the side of the gearbox. While it's heavy the whole time, you can feel a decent bit through the pedal like at the bite point. Personally I like it more than a hydraulic clutch.

[@bassm9474]

Passed today after only 16 hrs of lessons in Colchester, thanks to your videos!

[@ConquerDriving]

That's fantastic news! Congratulations on passing!

[@jacob1121]

Brass is self lubricating and is used for bearings all over the place.

[@Pkari]

It always amazes me how much one gets used to a wearing clutch. You just keep adjusting to the feel :-D then when you change it the car feels 20 years newer

[@cw2126]

Belta video, still watching and passed 3 years ago

[@lordicemaniac]

it's the little things and details that are always most interesting

[@i3d3]

I've recently changed the clutch master cylinder on my 20 year old Passat... wasn't an easy job at all. Nice to see more modern VW group cars have the clutch pedal assembly separated from the brake pedal assembly.

[@Unknown-dg1fj]

Good to watch as my car needs a new pedal broke down on me clutch pedal all wonky 😢

[@faming1144]

That was an unexpected topic for this channel. Very interesting. I watched the whole vid and drive an automatic...

[@Vivicect0r]

An interesting point. Will check. However I guess Subaru clutch is heavy by design.

[@EconaelGaming]

As a layman, this pedal looks well engineered to me. Good use of plastics.

[@haunter4708]

Great video! I feel like I have no idea what you meant about the pedal getting heavier at the bite point. I’m definitely going to pay attention to it when I get in the car in the morning haha

[@juemckool]

Ahhhh that explains why mine is so light throughout

[@Danielagostinho21]

The first car I drove was a VW polo and I think it had a similar system. Honestly, I hated it, once I was doing a hill start and got to the bite point, because I was on a steep hill, I had to hold the clutch higher than usual and suddenly felt pedal weight increase a lot and I thought "it's a lot heavier now, i should let go of the pedal" The pedal came up, but the car started kangerooing for a while because I should've holded for longer

[@FBIAGENT95103]

Very helpful videos! Thank you Richard! I was watching your other recent videos but haven’t commented. All of them are very helpful and informative

[@marcinborowiec8560]

Can you make a video about how to change lines, but not on the motorway/dual carriageway, but in the city traffic? I think there is a key difference there bc, in most cases when you are on motorway incentive to switch line is to overtake, but in the city incentive is mostly bc you need to change the direction of driving. If you won't find a gap on the motorway worst case scenario is you will be a bit later at destination, worst case scenario in the city is that you won't reach the destination. First is not so important, second could be crucial, hence a lot of ppl have techniques and opinions how to go about heavy traffic in the city. Some just force cut in in front of approaching car, some would just drive in their line trying to find another route(it could not be ease in some cities, and if you are unfamiliar with it you may get lost), and even some think its ok to just stall the traffic in their line waiting for the gap to appear. What would be your take? Some tips would also be nice e.g.: 1. How to plan ahead switching multiple lines? 2. What to do if we have to go pass more than one line on a very short distance with a view to turn right? 3. Is it ok to be driving in the right line if you know that you will be turning right even though there is no road marking yet telling you that the lines are diverging? At any point there could 3rd line poping up on the right side just before the crossroad and you could not have time to switch two lines.

[@ConquerDriving]

Thank you for your suggestion, I may consider this in the future.

[@kspades2530]

My substitute instructor when I was learning to drive a light clutch all the way. It was so jarring it's like there was no feed back for the bite point

[@Abigail-Rebecca]

The first car I learnt to drive in was one of the first Peugeot 205 GTis, the clutch pedal was awful on it, so heavy. I don't know if it was meant to be like that, but I hated it when I was sat in a traffic jam and I never drove a Pug GTi ever again - even the 1983, A reg coach, I drove afterwards, had a lighter clutch than that thing. Now, nearly forty years later, I am about to buy another brand new car, with a new type of clutch (to me anyway). It has a manual, what they call, "Intelligent Manual Transmission" or clutch by wire, meaning there are no mechanical between the clutch pedal and the clutch itself, all electronics and code. So, that will make for an interesting learning experience, as my brain has been hardwired to the old hydraulic clutches.

[@ConquerDriving]

Make sure you test drive the intelligent manual that Kia and Hyundai do. It's not for everyone as the coasting setting it has can make it difficult to predict how much the car will slow down when you come off the gas.

[@HazewinDog]

Just bought a used car. Everything seems great, except the clutch. It has long travel, which is fine, but it's a heavy long travel. Not very comfortable. The bite point is pretty much at the top as well. Hope i can improve it somehow.

[@thegrowl2210]

I would be interested in a video on how much service and maintenance work is feasible to do by yourself, with minimal specialised tools.

[@ConquerDriving]

It varies drastically from car to car.

[@PD_205]

That grey colour effect on your hair I encountered a couple of videos ago is gone, besides thank you for the video 👍

[@ConquerDriving]

All my greys are still there, I think they are less visible after a hair cut.

[@KMCLEAN94]

Thanks for the video, Richard! I can barely feel the bite point as I shift gears after 2 months of having my car (purchased from an Approved Used VW dealer). Up until a week or so ago, the pedal was much more responsive.I've taken it to Halfords for a clutch inspection and after having a look, the mechanic called me confused as to why I'd even brought my car in! The service at Halfords was free, so I cant be sure how comprehensive the inspection was. Can you advise on how to try and diagnose my issue before potentially spending a significant amount getting a mechanic to replace the entire clutch? Many thanks!

[@lamitron]

Super interesting stuff. I'm a reasonably new driver and I'm driving a 2010 Mazda2, and I i can hear a click every time I lift the clutch. From this video I imagine it's to do with the spring being broken in some way (bought second hand, like that since bought), so I wonder if I'd have less difficulty with the clutch if it was replaced. £400 seems steep though. Might have an ask around for replacements & see if I can find a guide to do it myself

[@AdilQarouchi]

Important information 🙏👍 Thanks 😊😊

[@rarespetrusamartean5433]

I just wish...REALLY wish we could find parts like the bushings and pins just at any hardware store...or maybe at a dedicated store. The fact that you need to pay $400 for effectively a few bushings is fucking insane to me.

[@MailboxReviews]

Great explanation, one question that i got. Does your car have Dual Mass Flywheel ?! or it's Solid/One peice ? I assume if it was DMF it won't last that much miles with learner drivers. probably would need replacing at least 4 times during this car lifetime.

[@ConquerDriving]

It's a single mass flywheel.

[@williamevans9426]

Ingenious design! One question; do more 'sporty' manual cars tend to have linear clutches, or is it simply a manufacturer choice? Many thanks!

[@ConquerDriving]

I've not noticed a difference between types of car. Generally more powerful cars seem to have heavier clutches though.

[@williamevans9426]

@@ConquerDriving I still have an e46 straight-six BMW coupe and its clutch pedal resistance seems linear throughout its travel. Many thanks!

[@ItsThePirate]

there is no way this has been interesting. great video

[@ondrejbursa9969]

Really interesting video, I used to drive a 2000 skoda felicia which had a pedal that pulled on a wire which moved the clutch. Now I drive 2009 Nissan and the pedal feels quite different. But I wonder, do you have your own clutch pedal in passenger side? If so, how is it connected? Also you could make a video of how is drivers car different to normal car (not sure if you havent made it and I just missed it?)

[@JeremyFoster-ve6kq]

Great to see the Leon still going! Reckon it'll top 250? (P.S. Really enjoyed watching this!)

[@ConquerDriving]

I'm sure it will if I want it to. I have no current plans to change it but I don't know how long I'll keep it.

[@zitzong]

Sometimes you do take the clutch pedal for granted!

[@djamiljo93]

Did anyone try and 3D print these bushings? A quality 3D printer is probably needed but I'm curious

[@GenerationRecords]

New steering wheel or has that old one had a deep clean?

[@ConquerDriving]

I've replaced the steering wheel twice, this one is about 6 months old so still nice and new. A fresh steering wheel makes such a difference to how the car feels as I'm holding it the whole time I'm driving.

[@bdeithrick]

What is it ? 😮

[@cameronsingh7856]

Hi richard where do you access work shop manuals or did you have to buy them

[@ConquerDriving]

I have to buy them.

[@cameronsingh7856]

@@ConquerDriving from where any link or do you have to go to seat

[@Mike_5]

Your car suffers from the same old issue other VAG cars have with a Plastic (?) clutch master cylinder

[@dielaughing73]

Yeah mine just went on my Mk5. Cheap part to replace (yes it's plastic), pig of a job to do on a RHD car!

[@Mike_5]

@@dielaughing73 yes buddy £100 part but you have to take half the car apart to fit it! what idiot designed these as a plastic part 😬

[@dielaughing73]

@@Mike_5 I'm just lucky I had a friend who was happy to sit upside-down in the driver's seat with his head in the foot well for extended periods..

[@Mike_5]

@@dielaughing73 lucky man we all need friends like that but hope you evicted him before driving the car again 🙃

[@FilipEdits1]

Lovely video

[@carismaticul]

Pentru carne de tun nu iti trebuie diploma de bacalaureat

[@IndiBrony]

I had the best solution to this: I teach automatic 😂❤

[@automation7295]

Problem with people nowadays, they'll just call the drivers out for simply owing an automatic.

[@BigBab1_]

wow I'm early ahha

[@dazkiltlfc]

Ffs clutch control is easy anyway