Clutch Release Lever (Mechanical Clutch)

[Seine_Dudeheit]

Hey there,
as you may have seen in my other thread, I may have some problems with my clutch.

Today I had some time to take a look at the car, and also checked the clutch release lever. This is what it looks like:
Image 1
Image 2

The lever was held to the extreme left (seen from driver's position, bottom in the pics) by the spring that can be seen in the pictures, because the lever can be moved from left to right for about 5 cm! After I removed that spring (so it didn't hold the lever anymore) I did a short test drive and the vibration seems to be less now. The squeaking noise my clutch produced when not pressed is gone now too.

I really doubt this is how the whole clutch release lever assembly should look like, so I'd be happy if anyone could post an image of his car's release lever that shows how this thing actually should look like.
What can I do about the lever moving around? Is it a bearing that's faulty, or can I try to disassemble and refit the whole thing, because I don't think it's normal that the lever can move sideways!

I also found this spring in the general area of the clutch, does it have anything to do with it, or is it just a strange coincidence that it lay there? I just ask because in january, the clutch free-play was adjusted (or at least the bills I got when buying the car said so) and now I fear that they may have done something wrong!
spring

I hope you have some advice for me!
Thanks,
Peter

[scuzzy]

eh, well never seen that spring before. AFAIK their shouldn't be any spring holding the lever one way or another.

the squeak you're hearing is the throwout bearing (on the end of the clutch fork) rubbing the fingers on the pressure plate. mine does it too; never could figure out why (new throwout bearing and pressure plate for me)

although i know I am missing the metal clips that hold the bearing to the release fork.

[Seine_Dudeheit]

That's exactly why I'd like some pics of that thing, because the service manual says something about a "release lever return spring" that has to be removed when adjusting the clutch play and refit afterwards.

[Legacy777]

The spring should be connected to something in front of the lever to remove lever free play. Think of it as a pre clutch engagement....because without it, you may have extra slop at the top of the pedal stroke.

[Seine_Dudeheit]

Ok, great, that's exactly what I thought.
Only problem is to find something to connect the spring to, but I think that I can find a solution for that.

If someone still wants to upload pictures of how it should look like, that would be great!