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 -
In-Reply-To: <005901c51583$b9902d60$6401a8c0@BWPC>
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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