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Wed Aug 13, 2008 8:14 am

Some 18 months after I started I am now back to work on my lot-find Fastback. Long story here:

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=187388&highlight=

Short story is it was parked at least 8 years ago (supposedly running). I am going through the process of cleaning everything to start her up. I finally got her up in the air and on jack stands. While replacing a fuel line, I stumbled across a vise grip (see photo). The photo is taken from just in front of the left rear wheel looking back towards the engine.

My question is: what is it latched onto and why would someone have latched it on (some 9 or 10 years ago)?

Wed Aug 13, 2008 8:15 am

Looks like someone was adjusting the clutch? It's attached to the clutch cable. I'll take the vice grips if you dont want them. :D

Wed Aug 13, 2008 8:29 am

Clutch adjustment was frozen, and somebody forgot to take the vise grips off.
Look closer, there might be another on the nut.

Wed Aug 13, 2008 12:22 pm

Does that mean there is likely a problem with the clutch or just that someone clamped it while adjusting the clutch and forgot to come back and remove the vise grips?

Could the car run and shift into gears with that vise grip there (and not throw it off)?

Appreciate the feedback. Just trying to ID as many potential problems as I can resurrecting the car after a decade.

I haven't taken them off yet, Trey, but I have you down if they are serviceable.

Wed Aug 13, 2008 12:40 pm

I've used them before to hold the cable so it doesn't turn while I turn the wingnut. I wouldn't leave it on there, it's going to rub on the cv boot if you do.

Wed Aug 13, 2008 12:59 pm

RodneyW wrote:
Could the car run and shift into gears with that vise grip there (and not throw it off)?

Yes.
I found my long-lost Vise Grip still attached right there, a year after adjusting the clutch cable. #-o :lol:
That was a swing axle car - like Trey mentioned, it would probably rip the CV joint boot.

Finding that isn't necessarily indicative of clutch problems - but it doesn't rule anything out, either .
The previous owner could have been adjusting to compensate for wear in the disc or cable stretch, or possibly adjusting after replacing the clutch disc.
You'll probably know one way or the other, once you try to drive it or pull the engine to inspect it.

Wed Aug 13, 2008 1:52 pm

BSQUARE wrote:
Yes.
I found my long-lost Vise Grip still attached right there, a year after adjusting the clutch cable.

Hahaha! I di the EXACT same thing.... musta been on thereabout two years though. Funny thing is, I kept scratching my head thinking 'Where the hell did my vice grips go I wonder...'. Tram found them attatched to my clutch cable last month. Hilarious....

Wed Aug 13, 2008 4:02 pm

It is important when adjusting the cable to make sure the cable does not turn with the wingnut. Otherwise the cable can bind or break, or your adjustment can soon UNadjust with vibration.

This shows your previous mechanic was well-trained but forgetful!

I'd check the lugnuts before driving it... :lol:

Wed Aug 13, 2008 5:31 pm

oh wotof ....I was wondering where that was
could you send me that back

here's my address: dumb me 23756 e 7th st san diego, ca 92101

btw I use it to hold the clutch cable while adjusting free play...

(fake address)

Wed Aug 13, 2008 11:23 pm

jimmynotch wrote: BSQUARE wrote:
Yes.
I found my long-lost Vise Grip still attached right there, a year after adjusting the clutch cable.

Hahaha! I di the EXACT same thing.... musta been on thereabout two years though. Funny thing is, I kept scratching my head thinking 'Where the hell did my vice grips go I wonder...'. Tram found them attatched to my clutch cable last month. Hilarious....

Dude when I drove out to the 07 Classic fron San Antonio I found my 17mm wrench. Kicker is it was still attached to the back side of one of the top motor bolts, I found it when I had to pull the motor out with Rob at my dads house in Temecula California! Nice road trip wrench right there.

And remember Jimmy, Chris when we drove from Seattle to Portland last summer and I left a set of allen wrenches on my roof rack? We were about 3/4 ways to Pland when I found them at a rest stop-looked a jimmy and said wtf? :shock: