Clutch Cable Snapped - Now All Too Short?

[boombang 2]

Car was BE1, some point converted to BE3.

 

Cable snapped right at the top by the metal link to the back of the pedal.

 

Took it off and replaced with spare but couldn't get a nut on at the box arm end.

 

Comparing the two cables, there is no difference at all. From the bung that goes into the plastic clip on the box to the end of the thread is the same length too.

 

I tried putting the old cable back on and that is the same - seems about 1" too short. With the snapped cable I can obviously pull it through enough, but the pedal end is then way inside the sheathing.

 

Wondering if something has happened with release bearing/clutch inside the bell-housing, that means the clutch release arm on the box is now in the wrong position.

 

Oddly, I can drive the car perfectly well (albeit with no clutch at all!) - no odd noises from the box which I would have expected if there was an issue in the bell-housing!

 

Anyone got any ideas, as I agreed a sale on the car this week so could do with sorting.

[Richie-Van-GTi 71 2 Cars]

pop the cover off the front of the bell housing and check the bearing is seated correctly. With no cable on it is possible the release fork has gone too far back and dislodged the bearing.

I find is easiest to connect the cable at pedal end, then hook it into the release arm and then pull it back into the holder on the gearbox.

[boombang 2]

Sounds totally lame, but I can't get in a position to see inside the bell-housing.

 

Also I should know this, but can you get the release bearing back on through the hole?

 

The box is knackered and clutch never felt great - this has been relayed to the potential buyers, and I am giving them another good box and clutch with the car.

 

I am hoping that as they knew this already and expect to have to change it all, they'd be happy for me to drive the car over to them and leave it there for them to sort (perhaps in the middle of the night tonight so no traffic to worry about). Done box swaps before, but without an engine crane and on my own on the drive don't fancy it one bit!

[Richie-Van-GTi 71 2 Cars]

it can be manipulated onto the fork again yes, good chance it hasnt even come,off and its just a cable issue. try using a shaving mirror or similar with a torch. With the AFM and hoses off it shouldnt be too bad to see. If it has come off you only need to rotate it into the correct position and push the clutch lever to pop it back on.

[boombang 2]

Thanks for that - will trek back over to my parents again and see what I can do!

 

Does anyone have any pictures of where the clutch arm normally sits to compare with mine?

 

If it helps diagnose at all, the clutch lever has a fair bit of movement forwards and when you push inwards, it sounds like it is engaging or pushing against something.

 

The lever doesn't go back as far as in line with the engine straight across. We tried levering it gently and it won't move inwards any further at all.

[pug_ham 244 3 Cars]

I think the clutch pedal on a Be3 gearbox when the clutch is working properly is a couple of degrees towards the front of the car at the cable end than the gearbox swivel.

 

I don't think you'd have any clutch if the release bearings had come off, when mine died on the STDT I completely lost my clutch, (you couldn't even start in gear!!). The forks on the end of the clucth lever inside the bellhousing will make a rattle if they are pressed into the clutch plate with no release bearing but nothing else in the way of a clutch.

 

Graham.