Aussieveedubbers · Tech Talk

71 beetle clutch pedal tension loss.

https://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/threads/109923/71-beetle-clutch-pedal-tension-loss

digsy ·

Hi Guys,

My clutch pedal gave up the other day. I heard a snap and the pedal lost tension. Theres a spring that is loose but im not sure if its the spring or cable. Car is now immobile. Any toughts.

Cheers

[/URL][/img

grazza7755 ·

I'd say almost definitely the clutch cable has snapped.
This is common.
Pedal cluster has to come out to replace it or physically cut a hole in the top of the tunnel above the pedals. Lots of cars have been done this way.
Buy a quality cable as cheap ones will give you grief again prematurely.
Good luck.

cb john ·

It's both of them...spring is missing a bit and certain level of return would be maintained by the clutch lever spring...

digsy ·

Thanks guys. At the mechanics now. Hope they can find the parts quick. It's my daily driver.

psimitar ·

Spring on the pedal cluster is the brake pedal return spring.

The clutch uses both the pressure plate and gearbox lever arm spring to return the pedal.

If you have small fingers then just removing the plate on the passenger side of the tunnel can give just enough room to remove the old and feed in the new cable. Done it a few times but undoing the plate at the accelerator end of the clusters shaft and moving the shaft to the right will defo give you enough room.

digsy ·

Got it fixed today. Turns out the cable was ok. The hook on the end of the pedal snapped clean off. Replaced the pedal and all is well. You'd think the cable would go before the pedal.

Thanks for your help fellow dubbers.

psimitar ·

digsy wrote:Got it fixed today. Turns out the cable was ok. The hook on the end of the pedal snapped clean off. Replaced the pedal and all is well. You'd think the cable would go before the pedal.

Thanks for your help fellow dubbers.
If memory serves the cable eyelet is hardened or harder steel that the pedal and if not regularly lubricated with grease it'll wear right into the pedal metal.

Still be a good idea to check the bowden tube bend is all good and the rest to make sure the cables not under more stress than it should be.