Clutch Pedal Freeplay Adjustment

[T Berk <tberk@mindspring.com>]

Folks, 
Lots of talk recently about newly acquired cars and the clutch not
feeling right.

(Pls. Note: New clutch cables are cheap. I suggest you just get a new
one, after it stretches a bit revisit the adjustment.   Also, those with
later model Auto Adjusting cables may wish to retrofit [or devolve] back
to the earlier manually adjusted unit described here.)


Here is the Straight Dope right out'a the Bentley. 


Section 10.2

    As the clutch linings wear, the clearance between the release lever
and the pushrod inside the transaxle is reduced. If this condition
progresses until there is no clearance at all, clutch pressure will
decrease and permit slippage that will lead to burned linings.  When
checking for the proper clearance,  you should be able to depress the
the clutch pedal about 15-25 mm (5/8"-1") before you encounter working
resistance. If not, adjust the clutch cable in order to obtain the
correct amount of freeplay.

   To adjust the cable, raise the hood and locate the adjusting nut,
which is on the cable conduit. (Ed. It says see diagram but I'll say use
your Mk1 eyeball equipment). To increase clutch pedal freeplay, loosen
the locknut. Then turn the adjuster until you can pull the conduit up
out of the bracket about 6 mm (about 1/4"). Then check the freeplay  at
the pedal. If it is about 15-25 mm (5/8"-1"), tighten the the cable
adjuster locknut. If necessary, make additional adjustments before you
tighten the locknut.




So to recap:

- Pushdown on the pedal.  "...about 15-25 mm (5/8"-1") before you
encounter working resistance"(?) Done.  If not;
- Loosen the locknut on the adjuster, only turn the adjuster about 1/4
to 1/2 turn at a time until you can clear 6 mm (about 1/4") between the
adjuster's bottom and the transaxle's bracket. 
- Push in the pedal a few times to seat things and check freeplay again.
- Groovy? Tighten locknut, drive in a 'spirited manner'.


hth,
TBerk

--
Email LIST problems to: scirocco-l-probs@scirocco.org.
To unsubscibe send "unsubscribe scirocco-l" in the message to majordomo@scirocco.org