Date:         Fri, 10 Jan 2003 10:15:47 -0600
Reply-To:     John Rodgers <j_rodgers@CHARTER.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         John Rodgers <j_rodgers@CHARTER.NET>
Subject:      Re: Time for a clutch?
Comments: To: Oxroad@AOL.COM
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii; format=flowed

BTDT. Time for a new clutch. Be sure the flywheel is machined before the
new clutch goes in.

This might be a good time to install a new rear oil seal (sometimes
called a "clutch seal"), new throw-out bearings, and possibly a new
pressure plate. It's a major PITA to have to go back into it all at a
later date to change one of those items.

John Rodgers
88 GL Driver
Birmingham, AL

Jeff Oxroad wrote:

>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
>
>
>