Date:         Tue, 22 Jan 2008 19:06:35 -0800
Reply-To:     dan.neu@SBCGLOBAL.NET
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Dan Neu <dan.neu@SBCGLOBAL.NET>
Subject:      Clutch Chatter
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

The VW Camper is doing to be getting some more use soon. I've been trying to
get it into tip-top shape and one of the things on the list is to stop the
clutch chatter that has plagued the car since new. The last 2 times I took
it apart, I found that the clutch webbing (the area between the spindle and
the friction material) showed temper colors. Someone suggested that I change
the angle that the transmission meets the engine. I guess what he thought is
that the clutch is constantly flexing because the transmission input shaft
is not at exact right angle to it. I tried putting washers on just the
bottom bolts to change the angle. Guess what? It worked. However, then I had
another problem. I couldn't shift the car when the car was standing still.
My thought was that the input shaft, where it goes into the flywheel gland
nut, was binding and always had some torque on it. Sure enough, when I took
out the washers, I could get the car into gear again. But now that clutch
chatter is back.



I don't know what to do short of getting another transmission. Maybe if I
can prove that this has happened since new, I can get VW to do it for me? I
got all the invoices from the clutch repairs under warrantee and otherwise.
I've owned the car since it was new. Bought it at Stevens Creek VW in 1985.



Is there anything else you can think of?

Thanks,

~Dan

P.S. The reason that the VW camper is going to be getting more use soon is
that my wife and I are expecting a baby.