Re: boo hoo, clutch is dead (outdated reply - sorry)

[T Berk <tberk@mindspring.com>]

Comments interspersed- tb

Jonas Karlsson wrote:
> 
> Yesterday my clutch decided to die on me (or so I think).
> 
> It feels like it just does not disengage. I checked the clutch cable and
> it is tight. Earlier in the day, I heard a medium sized -crunch- as I
> pressed the clutch in. Following this, there was a rattling noise (like
> something broke off and was rattling around as I revved the engine) and
> also shifting became difficult, but not impossible. 

This is the time to say 'Whoa there Hos' Further operation can lead to
more extensive damage. "I heard a nasty noise and things didn't work the
same anymore. LATER I ran it some MORE and..." See?

> Later, the difficult
> shifting went away, but noise remained. Then in the evening, it just
> stopped working. I went to shift into first and it would not go in any
> gear. I turned the engine off, put her in third and started her up. As
> soon as I turned the ignition (even though  the clutch pedal was all the
> way down) the car jerked forward. I got her going and used clutchless
> shifting to get home.
> 
> My questions are:
> 
> Is the problem the clutch or somewhere else in the transmission (throwout
> bearing, maybe)?
> 
> How difficult is it to pull out the tranny? My trusty bentley makes it
> sound like a time consuming and pretty difficult job.

Not too difficult. Plan on it like it's a clutch job. Gather the clutch
, a new throw out bearing, and I'd think some new bolts to hold the
clutch in. The pressure plate may be scored, hard to tell until you get
in there. 

I was a complete neophyte when I decided to do my own clutch job. I was
armed with a Bentley, a Haynes, a mini Chilton, and Muir Press's How to
keep your (VW) Alive books. The 1st and last were most helpful.

I pulled my tranny and replaced the clutch in one day and one night.
This included a trip to rent an electric  impact wrench because I
couldn't
untourque the old clutch bolts off with my breaker bar. Grrrr. 


> 
> I'm also dripping oil (slowly) from the bottom of the bellhousing. I'm
> thinking the rear main seal is bad. How hard is it to replace this if
> the tranny is already out? What special tools are needed?
> 
> Any tips of advice to get me through yet another few days without my
> rocco?
> 
> TIA
> 
> Jonas
> 85 Scirocco

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