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Date:         Fri, 18 Feb 2005 08:56:16 -0500
Reply-To:     Tim Demarest <tim.demarest@POBOX.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Tim Demarest <tim.demarest@POBOX.COM>
Subject:      Re: Clutch pedal sticking when depressed-'88 Vanagon 4spd -
Comments: To: Barrett Willet <barrettw@NVENTURE.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <005901c51583$b9902d60$6401a8c0@BWPC>
Content-type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii; format=flowed

Never had that problem on my Vanagon... but I did have a brake pedal that stuck down on my '73 super beetle. On that machine, it turned out to be severe rust in the pedal assembly. I've never really looked deeply at the pedal mounting on the Vanagon, so I dunno if this is possible (but the squeaky pedal makes me wonder).

On my beetle, the clutch pedal and brake pedal passed through a common concentric tube arrangement (outer tube was the mount, middle tube was brake, innermost tube was the clutch). This tubular assembly was mounted at floor level, to the side of the tunnel. Right where it will catch any and all water from rusted floor pans.

Since I was an impoverished wage-slave at the time, professional mechanical help was out of the question... so I did the following:

1. Tied a rope to the pedal shaft, looped other end around the gearshift for easy access. 2. Used an innnovative 'press-pedal-to-stop-pull-rope-to-go' driving model until the weekend rolled around. 3. On the weekend, pulled out the pedal assembly, liberally soaked with penetrating oil, gently worked the assembly (with a hammer and vise, at first :-) until all pedals spun smoothly through a full range of motion. 4. Re-installed pedal assembly and drove happily on to the next repair (certainly not more than a week or two distant).

Little did I know at the time (1985) that I was merely training for future ownership of a Westie. A westie that was still showroom new (and in the hands of it's no-doubt proud original owner) while I was nursing (and cursing) my super beetle along...

Tim

At 10:33 PM 2/17/2005 -0800, Barrett Willet wrote: >'88 Vanagon 4spd >Recently everytime I press in the clutch pedal and release, the pedal only >returns a few inches and sticks in place. Clutch is still engaging as >normal and no problems with driveability or shifting...yet. A slight tap >under the pedal with my toe and it springs back to its normal position. >I have checked for leaks at Clutch master cylinder and slave but do not >see any signs or drips. Been watching the fluid level and have seen no >signs of fluid loss. > >Could this be the sign of air in the line or a bad cylinder. >Clutch pedal has always had a slight squeak when pushing in the pedal. > >Any thoughts are appreciated. > >Barrett Willet >'88 Vanagon Wolfsburg


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