Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Classic Morgans (pre-CX) Plus 4 Tyre options

Thanks for that Rog, So what's the point of the return spring if you can just remove it? Does the clutch return by itself and if so why the spring? Does it change the feel of the clutch bite etc. Forgive my naïve questions, not something I've ever really thought about let alone investigated.

The wider tyres certainly are not noticeable when moving, and the new tyres haven't added to the steering effort required, in fact compared to the original old hard tyres the steering load is now lighter. I find keeping the king pins etc. well greased, tends to ease the steering parking speeds input. I always know when the king pins need greasing as the steering becomes heavier. So in my experience the age of the tyres and how well greased the king pins etc. are may affect steering parking input more than the width of the tyres.

Good question John. Morgan have used the same clutch return spring for years across many gearbox types, which makes me think it hasn't been reviewed for a while...

On my car with the spring removed I still have a clutch petal with a very snappy return and the 'bite' is the same so am personally happy that the thrust bearing is where it should be.

As said, something to consider or perhaps try for a while if it makes driving easier.

The clutch spring on the pedal was as far as I know reintroduced some time ago when it was found that the master cylinder return springs were varying in strength and as there was nowhere to rest your foot it was designed to enable the left foot to test on the clutch pedal when driving without riding the clutch and damaging the thrust bearing.

That was the official dealer line back in 2008.

The factory stopped fitting the clutch pedal return spring on the later 3.7 Roadster

I made a little foot rest on mine. Since then the clutch spring has broken but not bothered to replace.

I'm in the 'use the clutch pedal as a footrest' camp. There's a good half inch or so of movement before the clutch starts to engage so there's no worry about riding the clutch, but there's no doubt that the pedal return spring makes the clutch action a bit heavier. Still, it's all good exercise

I too use the clutch pedal as a footrest and I was told that this was why the clutch return spring is a little heavy. My problem is not that of using the clutch but that I get an intolerable pain in my left knee when I have to sit with my knee bent for a longish period. This even occurs sitting on a chair at home. It is not a problem if I can stretch my leg out. There have been times when I have tried all sorts of positions, even trying rest my left foot above clutch pedal.
I have the seat as far back as it can go but, with my long leg (gamba lunga ) I still have to have my knee bent. With an auto I would have the space to stretch out. I suppose I could always buy a new PlusFour (CX generation) auto but that would impact a bit too much on my pension fund , Besides I like the car I have.

I have the same problem I just fit into a trad, and have to bend my left knee all the time as there isn't enough room to just rest me foot on the clutch pedal. Must admit its the first time I've really noticed how heavy the clutch operation was in this car compared to my other Morgans. Maybe it's not getting any younger, that has highlighted the problem that's always been there. I 'm sure I read that the transmission tunnel has to be widen to accept the Mazda automatic box, if it's a realistic affordable option, it might be better than getting a CX if the rest of the car meets all your future needs.

I have always preferred an auto having spent years travelling on motorways for commuting and business, with the inevitable holdups. Having to use the M6 there are almost daily closures north of Manchester that makes it hard work and you often can't use the alternative routes for the increased traffic volumes impacted by regular motorway closures,