I cruised all over the web and our forum to find out how in the blazes to re-install or replace that pesky little Clutch Pedal Tensioning Spring! There was not any definitive answer other than to "Just leave it off, it's just not practical to install again".

Given the confined area that you have to work in under the speedo and in the pedals area I nearly gave in, but I'm not inclined to lift my clutch leg another 10cm every time the pedal decided to pop its self up extremely, so I decided to work it out.

Here was my workaround. Because the spring is pre-tensioned into a curl that's impossible to spread open at the site of the pedal shaft there was only one solution. The spring end that has the 90-degree bend needs to be inserted first into the hollow of the upper pedal shaft and as the straight end of the spring rests against the rim of the pedal housing the coil of the spring needs to clear the shaft holes so that the support shaft is able to pass clear through the coil of the spring. To do this it was necessary to remove the pedal entirely. Then while in a vice or another suitably stabilized arrangement wedge a block of wood 20mm thick against the front inside surface of the pedal and the coil of the spring and press the spring down into the hollow of the pedal until there is clearance for the pedal shaft to pass through the coil.

Once the spring holds itself in place return it to the van and re-install the pedal sliding the shaft all the way through the pedal housing. Now remove the wooden block. With a long screwdriver slide the straight end of the spring that is resting against the pedal housing opening into its slot/notch that is in the center of the piece that protrudes just above the pedal housing from the firewall. Voila! (See the attachment illustration for clarification as my description of the process may be vague!)

Re: 2001 Ducato Clutch Pedal Spring - what is its purpose?

Just reviving this old thread.

My clutch failed a couple of weeks ago, the clip at the end of the PLASTIC clutch pedal had broken off. (Peugeot Boxer 1.9TD but exactly the same.) Common problem apparently. Spring was also broken. I fitted a new pedal but clutch was ridiculously heavy afterwards, pedal was even creaking when I depressed it. Didn't want to drive it like that. Suggestions were it needed a new clutch, but I changed the clutch cable and it was much better, though still pretty heavy to press down.

Too get to my point, I have a new spring and it is indeed very difficult to fit it. I've practised getting it in position using this bit of wood method, and almost got it in the right place. Thanks.

But here is my question. I've seen the spring referred to elsewhere as a clutch pedal 'return' spring, but it doesn't need one, the clutch lever is more than enough to return the pedal. Apart from that it appears to me, looking at the diagram at the way it's fitted, that it's more likely a clutch assist spring. If that is the case, if fitted it would make my pedal less heavy and make it worth the effort of getting it installed.

Does anyone know what the purpose of this spring actually is please?

Tricky little devil is'nt it , also be aware that if your pedal breaks abroad , lhd/rhd pedals are not interchangeble as the offset is different .

Had mine break in Spain , 7 day wait as no righthand drive parts are kept in Spain , parts are sourced direct from Italy . [ 2019]

Also break tubing and flair tools are rarely found in southern Europe as there is not so much of a rust problem , again in Spain original part [ in my case front to rear as something had hit the pipe and caused a pinhole leak ] has to be ordered from Italy .

The exception to this is if you can find a english owned garage that deal with vehicles imported from the "northern rust belt " ...!!!

Certainly is a tricky little devil. I have now taken the precaution of having a spare pedal with me and I was aware that LHD is not the same. I have found a UK source for RHD pedals.
I spent a few hours today trying to fit the pedal spring today because I have answered my own question and found it does reduce pedal load. So frustrating. I wedge it in with wooden wedges so that the spring is clear of the hole, but when I try and slide the shaft in it goes part way and stops. I suspect the spring is shifting and the shaft is hitting it when I try and push it through.
I tried another idea yesterday , that of using a dummy shaft in the hole to hold to spring as I pushed in the shaft. It went partially in but then no further. Problem was I'd pushed the dummy shaft slightly into the next support so I had real problems getting the pedal off again!
I'll try again today (Sunday) as I think the spring is beneficial in taking some pedal load as I said earlier.

If anyone has any other ideas about fitting this spring please share!

After two days of trying and frustration I got the spring fitted and I wiould say it is entirely worth doing. This spring actually helps take some of the load from the pedal and makes it smoother and easier to press down. Good news is my van is driving really well and as far as I can see doesn't need a new clutch.
I used the wooded wedge method, thanks to the OP, but part of the problem I had was, I'd wedge the spring so that the hole was clear, but as I tried to get the shaft through as I'd put the spring in the position where it would finally rest against it's locator every time I tried the spring would move and block the shaft coming through. The answer was to hold it by two wedges but leave the string slightly out and then put in in position after the shaft was through. And to be fair to the OP he says move it afterwards using a screwdriver. Tried that without success so I used a long bit of steel with a loop on the end (in my picture.)
The other thing I did was use two wedges not one and put a nail in the one that faces you so that it was easy to tap it out once the shaft was in. Put the pedal in a vice and be careful. At one point trying to fit the spring it leapt out and hit me in the face with some force. It would have taken an eye out if it had hit in the eye.
I must say , not an easy job but glad it's done!

PS can't seem to get photos into the post?

BRAVO! and thanks for updating this tip. The replacement of the assist spring is soooo frustrating. I only wanted to give anyone advice for reducing that frustration and now you have given everyone even more details. This is one project that begs someone who has endured it to pass along any tips. Thanks for adding in.

PS. YES! WARNING THAT SPRING IS STRONG AND TORQUE LOADED WHEN IN POSITION AND CAN CAUSE SEVERE INJURY (EYES) IF IT SPRINGS OUT OF PLACE WHEN REINSTALLING.