why does the over center spring have to be removed

From the symptoms, I think the OP's pedal operation is not due to the OC spring being in; it should make the pedal to the floor easier, not harder. I would first suspect that the return spring under the car is too short in the coil length and is excessively strong. Look to see if that spring is a short spring that is very thick; that will cause the issue described. A pix of that spring would be useful. These springs get changed/lost, and sometimes 'just what is lying around that looks like a spring' gets put in. Am trying to also think what might be wrong in the lever, etc., that would cause this....drawing a blank right now.


When properly installed the OC spring does not tend to disengage the clutch on its own; it helps pull the pedal to the floor when the pedal is past 1" or so from the top of the travel; it helps pull the pedal up when above the 1" point. That point around 1" from the top of the travel is the 'center' in 'overcenter'. The OC spring should be at its maximum stretch at that 'center' point.

An excessively strong return spring is not needed; the return spring under the car needs to be just strong enough to make the pedal go back past the 'center' point when releasing the clutch.