Hair Trigger Clutch

[The Arch Bishop 0]

After dragging the pug out for the current good weather, I've been getting to love driving it again. But the super-abrupt clutch is bugging me a bit.

 

When I got the car, the clutch link (little bar thingy) that sits between the clutch arm and the pivot (ok I'm struggling for the technical terms) was missing so I bought one and fitted it. I adjusted the cable so that the link wouldn't fall out again (just). However, the clutch is now basically like an on/off switch with the first couple of mm being the difference between clutch dis-engaged and clutch engaged. To be honest, it's not totally impossible to drive and there's no slipping from the clutch but it makes things a little shunty and with a pretty aged cable, spoils the experience a bit.

 

So, my question is what do I need to replace/add to improve things? The cable is obviously the first thing and I'm guessing that re-greasing the clutch arm that the cable acts on would be a good move but how do I resolve the on/off nature of the clutch?

 

As a side note, there is quite a bit of clattering from the gearbox in neutral that stops when you push down on the clutch peddle. Would I be right in sighting the clutch release bearing as a likely culprit for this?

 

Any input for ideas for a really nice smooth clutch (yes I know to a dirty mind that sounds a bit rude)?

[woodsy 0]

I would replace the cable 1st mate then see how it is but more than likely if its that bad it would need new clutch to make it nice and smooth again

[The Arch Bishop 0]

The cable is the first thing I'm going to do as it's probably the original one that's on it. Certainly I'll do the clutch itself if the release bearing is indeed stuffed.

 

The main issue I have with it is the lack of travel between on and off that makes me look like a learner driver. If I've hopped in it after driving my daily transport (which has quite a high clutch) I look like I'm one of those people that bang the clutch out without any mechanical sympathy. I tend to like driving smoothly as I'm getting old!

[M_R_205 5 1 Cars]

As a side note, there is quite a bit of clattering from the gearbox in neutral that stops when you push down on the clutch peddle. Would I be right in sighting the clutch release bearing as a likely culprit for this?

 

Thats fairly normal to be honest, if the release bearing was on the way it would make noise when the clutch pedal was dipped (and the bearing in use) but so far every gti i have owned has made a rattling noise in neutral

 

As for the "clutch link" im not sure what you mean by this..?

 

However it does sound to me like you have over tightend the clutch cable.. where does the clutch pedal sit in relation to the brake pedal?

 

 

Paul.

[The Arch Bishop 0]

The clutch peddle sits about and inch higher than the brake and throttle peddle at the moment. The link is the little bar about an inch and a half long that sits between the the cable operated arm attached to the 'box and the paddle that pulls the clutch but is held in by the tension between the two. As said, I'm probably not giving the correct names to things!! 'Clutch link' is the admittedly bizarre name that servicebox gives it!

[Tom Fenton 1,542]

Rattling noise tends to be the input shaft bearing, having said that I've had a couple of gearboxes do it and survive till I sold the car (or van) in question, so don't worry about it too much. Sometimes a dip and release of the clutch will quieten them down, don't know why!

[The Arch Bishop 0]

Rattling noise tends to be the input shaft bearing, having said that I've had a couple of gearboxes do it and survive till I sold the car (or van) in question, so don't worry about it too much. Sometimes a dip and release of the clutch will quieten them down, don't know why!

Yep that does seem to do the trick quite often! taylorspug did say that I shouldn't really worry about it!