TheSamba.com :: View topic - Throw Bearing Shaft -BROKEN---Help

Thu Aug 21, 2008 9:55 pm

I have a 66' bug. My bug wouldn't let me shift into any gears, figured it had to be the pressure plate, clutch, throw out bearing, something.. pulled the motor, and much to my dismay --- my throw out bearing just hanging there, the pegs it clips to were snapped off, and the shaft doesn't want to move or rotate.... Transaxle issues scare me and I have never done any work on it except topping it off.. What do I need to do to replace this shaft? Anyone make a heavy duty shaft without those flimsy clips that hold the thow out bearing???

Any help, much appreciated.. Thanks!

Fri Aug 22, 2008 8:14 am

The clips work fine. They very seldom have issues. You broke the arms off that hold and actuate the throw out bearing.

To replace this shaft, you need to remove the arm that the clutch cable attaches to. Take off the cable wing nut and the get the cable out of your way.

The unhook the return spring from the arm. Be careful here! These things are strong and can really eat your fingers!

Look at the base of the arm. Some are held on with a snap ring. You may need to clean away dirt and grime to see it. Spray it all down with some penetrating oil and remove the snap ring.

Then carfully pry or tap the arm off the end of the shaft. Once the arm is off and any other spacers, washers, dust caps etc. are off, then you need to carefully pull the shaft into the bell housing and remove it from the opposite side.

Sometimes it helps to drive the bushing out of the hole first just to give you that little extra room in the hole.

Wolfsburg West has all the pieces you need. I would get the shaft
http://www.wolfsburgwest.com/cart/DetailsList.cfm?ID=113141701C

and the installation kit
http://www.wolfsburgwest.com/cart/DetailsList.cfm?ID=113198026

maybe a new throw out bearing since you are there
http://www.wolfsburgwest.com/cart/DetailsList.cfm?ID=113141165A

and a new set of clips
http://www.wolfsburgwest.com/cart/DetailsList.cfm?ID=111141177A

Sat Aug 23, 2008 12:00 am

drscope wrote: The clips work fine. They very seldom have issues.
I beg to differ. The clips are notorious for falling off. That is why VW abandoned the CRAPPY design in 71.

Sat Aug 23, 2008 8:41 am

jb_416 wrote: Anyone make a heavy duty shaft without those flimsy clips that hold the thow out bearing???

Just installed this bad boy not too long ago...
http://www.cbperformance.com/catalog.asp?ProductID=1480

You'll still need those clips, try the heavy duty ones that have spring tension to them...
http://www.cbperformance.com/catalog.asp?ProductID=620

If you can pull the motor, you can do this.

Sat Aug 23, 2008 9:51 am

Bruce wrote: drscope wrote: The clips work fine. They very seldom have issues.
I beg to differ. The clips are notorious for falling off. That is why VW abandoned the CRAPPY design in 71.

Have you installed a chinese replacement bearing lately. Their clips are not much better. I had one break installing one a while back. Ended up using the clips off the old bearing.

DrScope forgot one part. You have to take the locater bolt out from the bell housing that locates the bushing. It is near where the arm was.

Sun Aug 24, 2008 7:57 pm

Russ Wolfe wrote: Bruce wrote: drscope wrote: The clips work fine. They very seldom have issues.
I beg to differ. The clips are notorious for falling off. That is why VW abandoned the CRAPPY design in 71.

Have you installed a chinese replacement bearing lately. Their clips are not much better. I had one break installing one a while back. Ended up using the clips off the old bearing.

I re-use good German bearings. Better than new China junk.

Sun Aug 24, 2008 7:59 pm

Bruce wrote: Russ Wolfe wrote: Bruce wrote: drscope wrote: The clips work fine. They very seldom have issues.
I beg to differ. The clips are notorious for falling off. That is why VW abandoned the CRAPPY design in 71.

Have you installed a chinese replacement bearing lately. Their clips are not much better. I had one break installing one a while back. Ended up using the clips off the old bearing.

I re-use good German bearings. Better than new China junk.

So do I.

Mon Aug 25, 2008 2:26 am

I'm surprised VW didn't change that design sooner. The old carbon block style thowout "bearings" had better clips on them, but the roller bearing ones used those weak springs from the time they were introduced until 1971. Now, I've never had a problem with the original style clips falling off but I always make sure at least the first one I put on there is as tight as possible. The second clip, having to be levered on almost always ends up a bit on the loose side. And it doesn't help any when replacment clips seem to be made of weaker metal than original. And those "spring" style "high performance" replacement clips aren't springy at all, they never seem to be any better than the original clips were. If they made them as more of an actual spring steel instead of like, just a piece of wire, they would be much better. And easier to install.
-Andy

Wed Aug 27, 2008 8:41 am

Thanks alot, I think I will go with the OE clips. Thanks for all the replies. I feel like I should know what to do, but it usually doesn't take long for that feeling to dissipate once I get started!