Date: Fri, 10 Jan 2003 07:24:37 -0700
Reply-To: Ben McCafferty <ben@VOLKSCAFE.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Ben McCafferty <ben@VOLKSCAFE.COM>
Subject: Re: Time for a clutch?
In-Reply-To: <10e.1cdc0238.2b4ff67a@aol.com>
Content-type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"
Hi Jeff,
I agree with you that the clutch is on its last legs. If you think about
brakes, they fade when they're hot. A clutch disc is lined with similar
material, and experiences similar symptoms, i.e. fading or slipping more
when hot. As to the noise, I can't say for sure, but I would guess that you
have a dying throwout bearing, and when it gets hot, it's starting to seize,
and the metal on metal sound is the spring fingers on the pressure plate
cutting into the surface of the throwout bearing. Once cool, perhaps it is
able to turn again a bit, so no noise.
As to your pedal travel, if I understand you correctly, you are saying that
there is very little pedal freeplay. You correctly stated that the
hydraulic clutch self-adjusts, but you can adjust freeplay. This was just
discussed about two weeks ago on the list, and I'm sure the guys will chime
in on that topic. Check out Bentley 30.2, and you'll see the pedal
assembly. The clevis pictured in the upper left corner is where you adjust
freeplay. There's a lock nut, then the shaft can be screwed up or down. As
you'll see, they call for .5 mm max clearance between that shaft and the
clutch master cylinder piston. I don't know exactly how much pedal freeplay
that translates to, however.
When you do the clutch, be sure to do throwout bearing, pressure plate, and
clutch disc. Also have the flywheel surfaced, and check the condition of
the cross shaft and its bushings. Look for cracked welds, etc. and
looseness on the bushings. While you've got the flywheel off, you may as
well replace the gland nut and its bearing for the pilot shaft as well.
It's also a good time to check your rear main oil seal on the engine. I
know it's a lot, but these are all things that can lead to you doing another
clutch in short order if they go bad.
Best of luck, hope that helps.
tx,
bmc :)
Ben McCafferty
ben@volkscafe.com
Volks Cafe
1823 Soquel Avenue
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
831-426-1244
http://www.volkscafe.com
> From: Jeff Oxroad <Oxroad@AOL.COM>
> Reply-To: Oxroad@AOL.COM
> Date: Fri, 10 Jan 2003 05:12:10 EST
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Time for a clutch?
>
> Seemed like my clutch was slipping today. I was going up hill and had been in
> stop and go traffic for about an hour. Seemed I would check trying to
> "rapidly" accelerate and the RPMS would rise but the bus wouldn't gain speed.
> Then if I eased off the gas I could accelerate at a slower steady pace.
>
> Then after my "check" the clutch made noise just as it engaged from a dead
> stop. The noise was similar to a worn brake noise--a bit of metal on
> metal--not sever but definately audible. I stopped the "checking" for fear
> I'd bust something and nursed the bus to my destination.
>
> Seems like a no brainer. But here's the catch. When I came back home tonight
> I couldn't create the same effect. The clutch didn't seem to slip at all even
> up hill with heavy acceleration. And no noise even from a dead start.
>
> Would the clutch being hot from stop and go traffic, in addition to the
> clutch being worn, increase the slippage going up hill. Then when I was
> coming home in no traffic, and the clutch was cooler let's say, would it not
> be inclined to slip? (And yes, it's up hill both coming and going--up and
> down that is.)
>
> Finally, the clutch pedal engages and disengages the clutch quite close to
> the top of the pedal's travel. I suppose this would also lead to the clutch
> being worn out. But is there a standard travel that delinates "time for a new
> clutch." I can't find any info. on travel in Bentley. And it seems like there
> is no adjustment for the hydralic clutch--true?
>
> I''ve put about 60K on the clutch, but it was in the bus when I bought it so
> I'm not sure of the clutch's actual mileage.
>
> TIA
> Jeff
> 83.5 Westy
> LA,CA
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