Clutch not slipping but not disengaging well. Clutch peddle feels light.I think either my release arm is cracked, actuation finger worn or strippedthe arm. Maybe the TO bearing but that doesn't make noise. The push rodcould be worn or something. Anyway the symtoms. 215K miles on the clockand just about a mile away from my destination. I started having problemschanging any of the gears. I could hold it in gear with the clutch ata light but not be able to shift until I moved and hit a certain RPM. Once in motion, the clutch isn't slipping at all. So I think it's closeto gone and the push rod is worn enough not to be able to push and disengagethe clutch all the way. A hole in the thrust plate from the push rod?The release arm is sitting at the 9 Oclock position and the auto clutchcable can't tighten anymore. Since it's cold as hell out so I am not going to tackle this again. I would like to know your expert opinion on how long a clutchand assy check is in book time? 6 hours? I figure the tranny can be pulled in anhour and the push rod, actuation finger and TO can be checked without crackingopen the tranny. IIRC you can pop the green VW cover and remove the arm, fingerand bearing to pull out and measure the push rod. Check the seal on theinput shaft where the push rod comes out too.What's a dealer charge for this? $1000 US? parts? Labor? I guess I would get a new clutch assy and a new flyback. That would make it more. Sounds likemy local inspection guy would be cheaper if I can't diy due to I hate thecold. This should only happen in the Summer so I can fix it myself. I had todo a front end job on my Jeep this summer that worked out real nice after abuck bounced off it. :(Any suggestions besides junking the dub is open. ;)TIA

I forgot to mention that it's an 94 A3 DFQ tranny I believe. It's been a while.Also with the engine off, it shifts into all gears smooth. I turn the engineon it's as if I am trying to put it in gear without the clutch standstill. Ofcourse I don't force it but you know it just stops. Stock shifter and I alwaysdouble clutched it for 13 years now so the syncros stay nice.

Woodchuck were are you?

Nov 18, 2007 22 Replies

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Lost In Space/Woodchuck 18 years ago

during the first 12k miles and 1 year VW usually pays for the clutch. Now if the center hub or springs on the disc are blown out and the lining is still good it's possible to get VW to pay for that too. But it's on a per car and up to your dealer, service history, and VW.

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TBerk 18 years ago

That has been my trouble w/ the symptoms you describe.

I haven't had the early water cooled models crack the arm or strip the splines (others have, I'm sure) but usually your trouble is going to be where the heat and motion are the greatest; the clutch lining, the PP, & the throwout bearing type stuff.

Let us know what you find.

TBerk

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Peter Parker 18 years ago

Okay. It will be done after the holiday sometime. No hurry but I hope it isn't the hole in the thrust plate. That usually is an instant peddle to the floor symptom I would think.

Happy Turkey day to you all. It's been a while since I posted here and really forgot until my car problem. Funny how that is. Too busy at work and not enough time in the day to do all the usual chores.

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