Clutch pedal fault V6 4motion

Today when I pushed the clutch pedal down something snapped and it stayed down. Reading the forums I think I need to replace the clutch pedal and some plastic pieces but the push rod is bent to the cylinder.
I have noticed the pedal has been heavy for a while does anyone know what I need to change and how difficult it is to change the push rod (does this mean the master cylinder). Is it liable to happen again if the clutch is heavy? - or is it heavy becuse the rod is bent? (how heavy is normal)?
Also how do you remove the pedal, there is a booster spring which is always under pressure where ever the pedal is so if you remove the pivot bolt the spring looks like it will fly off?