I've had to limp around too without a clutch when mine failed. I even managed to drive mine home on the LA freeways, in fourth gear! Another listmember suggested not *jamming* the shifter from one gear to another. I concur, let it *feel* its way slowly into the next gear as you upshift. Downshifts can also be done too, if one is careful, and uses a technique similar to *double clutching*, namely hit the gas while passing thru neutral on the way from the higher to the lower gear. Again, the key is to match speeds of the various revolving pieces to allow them to mesh.

On the downside, I'm sure that shifts without the clutch can't be good for the synchromesh pieces in the trans. Since the clutch-less episode, I've noticed that mine isn't nearly as easy to get into first or from first to second as it once was. But then, my trans has 235,000 miles on it and some wear is probably inevitable! Someone posted a suggestion for a type of synthetic gear oil recently. I'd love to see that suggestion reposted, it sounds like it might help me extend the life of my trans another couple of years.

Rich Schmittdiel, Glendale CA 84 GL, original owner