clutch, steering rack issues

[Kevin Collins <kcollins1@socal.rr.com>]

In the 3 years and 40k miles that I've had my car, there have been 4-5
occasions where I've gone to start the car, only to have it lurch when
I turn the key, as if to be in gear with the clutch engaged.. despite the
fact that I have the clutch fully depressed.  A couple of quick pumps on
the clutch and a restart and off I go as if nothing happened.  Finally the
other day, after having this happen in the morning, then be fine at 
lunchtime, on my way home I could no longer get the car into 1st or
second w/o shutting it off.. then upshifting while driving was very
difficult, and downshifting was nearly impossible, even with perfect
double-clutches.  My mechanic buddy says this is likely the clutch disk
getting hung up on the splines and not completely disengaging.  It *feels"
normal when I depress the clutch - i.e. proper resistance from the pedal.
So - the prognosis is to drop the tranny and check things out - and 
likely replace the clutch and pressure plate while in there, which
ain't a bad thing as I know my clutch has relatively high mileage at
this point, and likely isn't the nicer OEM 2-liter clutch setup
in it.  But - if there is no sign of an issue at the splines, then the
problem (I'm told) could possibly be internal in the tranny.  Any
opinions/experiences here?

Secondly, I've suspected for some time that my steering rack is worn and
on its way out - it's definitely leaking.  So I may have it replaced as
well, with the tranny out it's a much easier job too.

Lastly, I've always complained of squirrely handling at the rear of the
car the whole time I've had it, despite having new Bilsteins/H&R's/all
bushings, good rubber, etc.  I noticed while it was up on the rack that
my rear tires are cupping slightly on the inside, like I've got a rear
alignment issue.  After reading someone's (Jason?) recent account of 
having their rear shimmed up and aligned properly and the car feeling
totally different & better afterwards, I'll probably spring for a 4-wheel
alignment while I'm getting my wallet drained and see what it does for
my car.

Any opinions/suggestions/experiences, particularly on the clutch problem,
most welcomed..


--
Kevin Collins
Huntington Beach, CA
'86.5 16V 2.0
'00 Passat GLS 1.8T

--
Email LIST problems to: scirocco-l-probs@scirocco.org.
To unsubscibe send "unsubscribe scirocco-l" in the message to majordomo@scirocco.org