Steeda clutch spring installation

[aileron]

Although i installed the Steeda Clutch Spring several hundred miles ago, I've been waiting to post about it until I had enough experience to offer real world experience. There's several threads in the transmission/driveline section regarding this, but you guys might not see them.
I can absolutely, positively now say this is the best thing you can do for your 2019 Bullitt! For some reason, Ford installs a 185 #/in spring rate helper spring on the clutch pedal. My guess is it keeps the pedal effort down, especially at the bottom of the pedal throw. The problem is in the kinematics create a non-linear assist, and makes the clutch action not easily modulated; your left leg has to deal with the linear spring rate of the pressure plate plus the nonlinear spring rate of the perch spring. i've been driving manual transmission cars, bikes and tractors for more than 50 years, and the Bullitt clutch is one of the weirdest feeling I've ever experienced.

Steeda recognized this issue, and offers two solutions: the first is a replacement spring that has a much lighter 35 #/in spring rate, the second is a beefier spring perch kit along with their 35 # spring. I installed the more expensive perch and spring kit, but after comparing the OE Ford perch and the Steeda part I'd only replace the spring if I was doing it again.

I may sound like a Steeda advertisement - I don't work for them - but the change is so good every one of you should order one. Today. Removal of the OE spring/perch is awkward, but installation of the lighter Steeda spring is easy once you get your head down in the drivers footwell.

aileron

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[Bullitt1589]

Thanks for the review, I just mentioned this exact issue in another post.

 

[RemoWilliams84]

I installed one on mine a while back and definitely like it better also. Whole thing took about 5 minutes. I actually found it easier to get the old one out than the new one in just because of the awkward position and lack of a third hand.

 

[Tony Alonso]

"You sound like a Steeda advertisement" - just kidding! A lot of folks have appreciated the Steeda solution to the uneven feeling. I will say that on my '15 GT, over time, the weirdness dissipated some as the spring got more worn in, which i was equating to changing to a different spring rate. Perhaps I was simply accustomed to it after awhile also.

Thanks for your sharing your experience so far!

 

[el-guapin]

First thing I purchased for new Bullitt. I can also attest as to how much it improves the feel of the clutch. Very satisfied with it!

 

[tj@steeda]

Although i installed the Steeda Clutch Spring several hundred miles ago, I've been waiting to post about it until I had enough experience to offer real world experience. There's several threads in the transmission/driveline section regarding this, but you guys might not see them.
I can absolutely, positively now say this is the best thing you can do for your 2019 Bullitt! For some reason, Ford installs a 185 #/in spring rate helper spring on the clutch pedal. My guess is it keeps the pedal effort down, especially at the bottom of the pedal throw. The problem is in the kinematics create a non-linear assist, and makes the clutch action not easily modulated; your left leg has to deal with the linear spring rate of the pressure plate plus the nonlinear spring rate of the perch spring. i've been driving manual transmission cars, bikes and tractors for more than 50 years, and the Bullitt clutch is one of the weirdest feeling I've ever experienced.

Steeda recognized this issue, and offers two solutions: the first is a replacement spring that has a much lighter 35 #/in spring rate, the second is a beefier spring perch kit along with their 35 # spring. I installed the more expensive perch and spring kit, but after comparing the OE Ford perch and the Steeda part I'd only replace the spring if I was doing it again.

I may sound like a Steeda advertisement - I don't work for them - but the change is so good every one of you should order one. Today. Removal of the OE spring/perch is awkward, but installation of the lighter Steeda spring is easy once you get your head down in the drivers footwell.

aileron

We appreciate the review ... but we would like to think the Steve McQueen upgrade is the best thing you can do for the Bullitt

Many thanks once again!!

 

[Ron]

Steeda recognized this issue & offers two (2) solutions: the 1st is a replacement spring that has a much lighter 35 #/in spring rate, the 2nd is a beefier spring perch kit along w/their 35 #/in spring. I installed the more expensive perch & spring kit, but after comparing the OE Ford perch & the Steeda part I'd only replace the spring if I was doing it again.

I was planning on installing both items into a 2019 Level 2. What is it exactly about the Steeda perch that you do not like?

 

[aileron]

I don't dislike anything about the Steeda perch except the price :-) Honestly, the current OE spring perch isn't that much different than the Steeda perch. The Steeda version appears to be a little heftier, and perhaps made out better material, but the stock version can't fail in compression when in use. I can see how someone might damage the stock perch wrestling the damn thing in and out, but you you don't know until it's out. I too bought the Steeda spring and perch before even looking under the dash to see where it was placed. If you're confident you can get the OE perch in and out w/o breaking it, then there's no apparent advantage to the Steeda perch.

 

[tj@steeda]

The perch was offered as a cheaper replacement than buying the complete replacement from Ford - which, from what I can remember, ran around $159.95. If you are careful, you can do just the spring but we customer breaking the perch ... which we then came to market with a replacement solution.

TJ

 

[Bullitt1589]

I went with just the spring, now I'm getting paranoid about breaking my perch lol. Thanks guys!

 

[el-guapin]

You should be good. I went with the spring only as well. It literally took me. 5 minutes to remove, replace, re-install.

I went with just the spring, now I'm getting paranoid about breaking my perch lol. Thanks guys!

 

[tj@steeda]

You will be okay ... just use patience & soft hands!

 

[Bullitt1589]

You will be okay ... just use patience & soft hands!

You guys were right, it wasn't even a 1 beer job. I only moved the car in the garage afterwards but it feels great so far, consistent pressure through the travel but not hard to push.

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