TheSamba.com :: View topic - 1969 Clutch Tube Middle Mount Repair Started.

Sun Jun 10, 2007 8:39 pm

[img]http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=358008[/img]
[/img]http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=358013[img]
[/img]http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=358018[img]
[/img]http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=358019[img]
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Hated to do this but guess it was neccessary. Still formulating next step. More to come. Thanks, Rusty[/img]

Sun Jun 10, 2007 8:40 pm

Will have to read more on posting pictures. Sorry.

Sun Jun 10, 2007 10:35 pm

Can someone tell by looking what I did wrong in trying to post my pics? :?:

Sun Jun 10, 2007 11:20 pm

Instead of using:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=358013

You should have copied the URL the gallery page showed in the line:
"Link to this photo using http://images.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/358013.jpg "

As in:

mrweasel

Mon Jun 11, 2007 3:48 am

wow..those are some great pics mr weas..how you get a camera in tunnel..lil digital?

Mon Jun 11, 2007 6:07 am

mrweasel thanks alot for fixing and I understand now, Thanks. The pictures were taken with a Canon power shot. Its hard to tell in the pictures but the original mount is just an L shaped bracket. It is spot welded to the tunnel and welded to the Tube. Both these welds are still good. The bracket is broke were it makes the angle. You can not see it but the fuel line is right behing the Clutch tube. I have put alot of thought into my new bracket and how to attach. Should be done with it today and will post some more shots.

Mon Jul 09, 2007 6:20 pm

This is the solution I came up with to fix my broken middle mount. I do not know how to weld yet. I formed this bracket to place the broken bracket back in its original location. I formed the bottom to wrap around the clutch cable tube but made sure it ended prior to the fuel line. Hopefully this will work good.

Mon Jul 09, 2007 6:51 pm

Looks good.

Thu Sep 20, 2007 7:38 pm

thank you I found out today that I have this problem with my 69 bug I BOW TO YOU THANK YOU for posting your solution !!!

Thu Sep 20, 2007 9:20 pm

No problem. Its been working awesome. I drive my bug everywhere and drive it hard. Let me know if you have any questions at all. Thanks, Rusty

Sun Oct 21, 2007 3:00 am

A very good report and that bracket looks like a good way to fix it.

A suggestion though - I think a better way to get a working sized hole is to use an angle grinder to cut an inverted V shaped flap, leaving the bottom attached and just bending it down to the floor. That way when you've finished you bend the flap back into place and weld it shut - it self-positions.

A previous owner had to add a clutch tube to my car when it was converted from semi-auto to manual and that's how it was done. The result is a tunnel which is just as strong as before it was cut.

The hole saw makes it more difficult to cover the hole and weld it up without using a separate sheet of metal. You MUST weld the hole shut afterwards - the tunnel gets a lot of it's strength from the depth of the sides and you don't want any weak points in the tunnel - the whole car's structure is based on it's rigidity.

regards

Wed Oct 31, 2007 8:47 am

Nice, now I'll to check my '69

Wed Nov 07, 2007 6:09 am

That bracket looks great (I wish I had one), but the gas line looks like it might rub against the securing nut. Maybe using a one of those insulated fuel line hanger to prevent any vibrations and rubbing

Fri Jan 04, 2008 1:06 pm

The picture is decieving. The bolt and nut are not close to the fuel line. Its Jan now and have been driving it pretty hard and all is well!

Tue Jan 22, 2008 8:49 am

I fixed my loose clutch cable tube, humm, cheaper, and quicker. I took the boot off where the clutch and the throttle tubes are. Made a thick, 1/8 aluminum, plate just slightly larger than the oval hole the tubes poke out of. Drilled two holes, one the OD of the throttle and another the OD of the clutch tube. Put a set-collar 3/8, I think, on the clutch tube, pulled the tube out enough for the flexible guide and tightened the set screw then sealed everything with RTV.

A set collar is a thick walled thing with a set screw. Like the thing that holds a fan on a shaft but without the fan :)

Sat Jan 26, 2008 10:43 am

Cheaper, quicker, and RTV repair job. I don't think we are refering to fixing the same problem. This post is for broken middle mounts.

Sun Jan 27, 2008 7:03 am

Why are you fixing the mount inside of the tunnel? Clutch cable tube is loose and cable can't be adjusted correctly!? Right?

Sun Jan 27, 2008 8:04 am

No Sir, When I got my 69 it shifted great but I could hear a funny screeching, clawing noise coming from inside the tunnel somewhere near the emergency brake when I pushed in the clutch. Glen on this forum described to me that it may be the middle mount and he was correct. The factory mount bracket inside the tunnel from millions of use over the years breaks. This can happen at the front, middle and back of the tube inside the tunnel. The problem with letting it go is that it puts additional stress on the remaining brackets and will eventually cause them to break as well. There is alot going on inside that tunnel. My Dad is in town and took him for a his first ride in it yesterday, he is why I wanted one, he has not driven one in 20 plus years. It was awesome! Thanks Rusty

Sun Feb 03, 2008 7:29 pm

Is the clutch cable tube continuous front to rear or does it have a section out towards the rear before it comes out the rear?

Mon Feb 04, 2008 6:37 am

quacked1up,

Hello. The clutch tube starts about a 1/2 inch behind the pedal cluster opening and runs continuos thru the tunnel until it exists at the rear of the car where the bowden tube attaches to it. The tube is welded to the tunnel at the front near the pedal cluster, welded to the middle mount near the emergency brake and welded at the back. The back weld can be seen by taking the back seat out and removing the inspection panel for the shift rod coupler. Rusty