Clutch Behavior

[blake at clockworm.com (Blake Irvin)]

between Chris's and Gordy's comments, i'd say there is a good chance  
that my cable is at fault.  maybe the part of the firewall it goes  
through is messed up?  (haven't checked yet, but will!)

or, maybe the cable is stretched - had a honda civic before with that  
problem - cable broke partially and kept stretching and stretching.

the PO's mechanic told them 'broken clutch paw/pawl - but he is no VW  
expert.  the first mechanic they had (guy in Philly called Harold)  
supposedly took very good care of the car.

thanks in advance for any more advice - and thanks chris and gordy.

blake/


On Sep 14, 2005, at 1:49 PM, Chris Bennett wrote:

> I am no expert here...
>
> Moving the clutch arm is rather difficult by hand.  If I need some
> slack for example to connect the clutch cable, I have in the past
> stuck a large flat blade screwdriver in the hollow part of the clutch
> arm and had someone else push it with their foot.
> It's a clumsy way to do it and if you aren't careful your buddy could
> kick you in the mouth, but it is a relatively easy way to check to see
> if it is moving properly.  I think it is supposed to have an inch or
> so of slack.  The arm itself moves at least 4-6 inches or so.
>
> Anyone agree or disagree?
>
> The cable itself more than likely snapped the plastic loop that goes
> over the hook on the top of the pedal.
>
> HTH
> Chris
>
> On 9/14/05, Blake Irvin <blake@clockworm.com> wrote:
>
>> I've made an appointment tomorrow to have a mechanic look at the my
>> totally-loose clutch pedal problem.
>>
>> However, I've got a hankering to fix this myself (but don't want to
>> get into this weekend it if this is a full clutch overhaul job).
>>
>> So here's the deal - there is about 1.5 - 2 inches of lightly-sprung
>> play on the Y-shaped lever arm on the crankcase (that I assume
>> actuates the clutch mechanism).  I read that the actual clutching
>> action requires LOTS of force, more than one can easily employ with
>> one's hands.  Does this play in the lever arm mean my clutch is
>> hosed?  Or is this normal and suggests that my clutch cable is busted
>> (the clutch pedal depresses all the way to the floor and does not
>> spring back - feels totally slack).
>>
>> I really don't want to take the car to the mechanic if all I need is
>> a cable - I'd rather have the satisfaction of fixing it myself  
>> anyway.
>>
>> Advice?  I need serious answers before about 5pm Eastern Standard  
>> Time.
>>
>> Also, I will post pics soon - assuming people like to look at the 88
>> karmann edition.
>>
>> blake/
>>
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>
>
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>
>