My '58 bug has a clutch problem.

Its had a new (2nd hand engine which is sweet as a nut) and a new clutch fitted (by a garage) the release bearing started making a whirring noise when the pedal was pressed in, it didn't do it when cold, only when the clutch had been used a bit and warmed up, so the garage replaced the bearing under warranty. The car didn't make the noise for a little while but after sitting in a lot of traffic today its come back, only different, its louder. I can also feel a 'crick' when pressing the pedal which isn't present when the cars not running. The clutch was fitted as part of a LUK kit so I would assume all the parts should work together OK.

Now is this a badly fitted clutch or is it something to do with my gearbox? The gearbox isn't perfect its got a noisy first gear and needs to be held in reverse, but its fine apart from that. Its got its original '58 split case box, but the engine is much later, post 74 I think (its a 1200).

Can anyone help I don't wanna end up with the clutch going, or likewise if my gearbox is dying i'd rather get it sorted now instead of when i'm stranded on the side of the road! I do have a later box sat in the garage so if needs be I can get them swapped.

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Not sure, but my gearbox whines and rattles its head off in first gear. I used to worry about it at first too. 😃

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LOL! Well that quells one of my gearbox worries! Just need to sort the clutch out now!

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Hi Harry,

Which type of LUK clutch did you have fitted? Is it the later diaphram pressure plate (which has many thin finger type projections in the centre) or the earlier three lever type with a center ring?

The diaphram pressure plates can't be fitted to an earlier gearbox without modification of the release bearing and release fork. It may work for a while but will eventually go bang.

I've just been looking at replacing clutch parts as mine went bang 300yds from home after driving 1000miles to Bad Camberg and back. :cry:

Cheers,
John

They've fitted a later type fingered clutch which i've been told is the only type you can get now? Apparently they should work together fine as thats the only type of clutch you can get, and as they come as a kit they should all work together.

The garage who fitted it are looking into it to try and come up with a solution.

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The earlier three fingered ones are available from Heritage or German and Swedish. The diaphram ones fit ok but the problem comes with the release bearing, a later release bearing won't fit onto the early release fork and the earlier release bearing isn't quite the right shape for the diaphram pressure plate.

Anyways, hope you get it sorted. I'm trying to get mine fixed now and hoping to get a new clutch at the BVF show in Malvern this weekend.

Cheers,
John

I spoke to the garage today and according to them GSF only do the later diaphragm clutches? And the clutch they bought has the centre plate for the early release bearings anyway, it was bought as a kit so all the parts came together so should all work, surely if the release bearing was wrong it wouldn't have fitted in the first place?

Could it be the gearbox shaft moving or something instead?

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I hope these kits do fit ok, I'm picking one up from GSF on Friday. They have reasured me that it's the three finger type so it should be ok.

Like you say, if the release bearing was a later one it wouldn't have fitted. If the gearbox shaft is moving it would affect the clutch. That should be easy to see with the engine out, just wiggle the shaft around, if there's more than a couple of mm play then that may be your problem.

Old cars eh, who'd have 'em :roll:

Let me know how you get on.
John

Well I've got the new clutch in (guess what, it was one of those diaphram types!) All seems to fit ok. I took the car for a test drive and it all seems to work. I think my problems started last year when I was sold a 180mm LUK clutch plate which didn't fit a vw engine.

Hope you've got yours sorted.

Cheers,
John

Well it wasn't a problem with the clutch at all!!!

The garage who fitted my engine didn't bother checking the flywheel was tight, so it was wobbling and scraping the inside of the bellhousing! This isn't the first mistake they made with it either!

So if you are in the Bristol area DO NOT use MAD Workshop, they are overpriced and do terrible work - one to definately avoid!!!!

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Glad its sorted. How does it sound now its all repaired? Still whiney in first gear? Or is that just mine?

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Sounds fine now (engine wise) managed a sustained (unknown to me) 75MPH on the motorway so all seems good.

And yep its still really whiney in 1st gear 😃 :lol:

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After your above experiences.......don't know if you need a garage recommendation in Bristol.........?? I've always used Luccombes in Bristol (Redland) for years, and even now I've moved out of Bristol, I still drive an hour and a half to take my VWs there.

Anyway, hope you've managed to get everything sorted OK now......