we have a late 2001 Polo manual, 175,000 Kms
great car, always dealer maintained.
Zero problems until recently the clutch pedal and its mounting broke ($1,000).
The dealer said it was a known problem.
It is caused by the clutch getting stiffer as it ages.
We should replace the clutch asap as it likely to happen again.
There is no noticible wear or slip in the clutch.
The idea of a spring getting stiffer as it ages seems counter-intuitive to me.
Can experienced readers offer suggestions?
A recommendation for a VW specialist near Sydney's northern beaches would also be appreciated.
Bob Guthrie

Bob try the water cooled forum at this site
http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/ 

i have the same car, clutch does seem hard, id be keen to hear your findings...

http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/  is a good site, thanks Paul.
It would seem that the clutch pedal and supporting bracket it are of poor design or manufacture.
Breakage is a known problem on both Polo and Golf.
Some weld the broken parts but I can understand why a dealer would not accept the liability for this approach.
It would seem the cause is self-contained and not due to the clutch.
I'm off for a second opinion from a non-dealer advertised to be a VW/Audi specialist and will continue to post.
I would appreciate if others posted the K's reached when they had to replace clutch pressure plate
thanks
bob

mines a 2001, just over 100k, 103 or something like that..

the expert suspects the clutch cable - sounds feasible to me.
For personal reasons the work is delayed until 24/9.
I'll post the results.
bob

in earlier Golfs and prob still now there is a piston inside the g/box housing which had collapsed in my Mk1 probly causing more friction hence more pressure on pedal,wall and cable...
thus the firewall experienced metal fatigue and cracked. baaadly,,,,, easy fix with metal plate.

My Seat Cordoba (spanish golf) country kms 195,000 @ 4 drivers, needed new clutch but no such piston probs. yet we replaced it for a small cost for preventve reasons!!


check the piston at inner end of lever rod when replacing clutch. pic if u want of piston!!

The Polo, Golf and Seat pedal assys fail as you have found out.

Its caused by heavy use of the clutch and made worse by an old stiff cable or a heavy duty clutch.

Either weld it in place for the cheap option or change the column.

Camden GTI at Campbelltown changed the pedal box of my friends Ibiza Cuprasport for $600.

I`d probably weld it, but I`m a cheapskate.