TheSamba.com :: View topic

Sat Nov 07, 2009 8:18 pm

Does anyone have any advice on how to shift when the clutch cable breaks while driving? This is just to get home not for everyday driving.

I am preparing for the inevitable and have never driven a standard while the clutch cable is broken. I noticed in the plastic tub of parts that came with the car that there were two spare clutch cables in there which indicates that a broken cable might have been an issue.

[-o<

Sat Nov 07, 2009 8:22 pm

I drive like that all the time. The hard part is getting started after stopping. It works best if your syncros are in good shape but here goes the skinny.

Accelerate a bit longer in gear than you would normally do, ease of the throttle and at the same time pull the shifter out of gear. when the engine is about to idle speed, tug the shifter gently but firmly into the next gear. Dont slam it, just continuous pulling and it should walk into the next gear. Repeat for as many gears as you need to shift through. Downshifting is a little harder, but still possible. Let off the throttle until the engine is just about to an idle, push the shifter out of gear and gently give it some throttle. Lighty push the shifter into the next gear down and when the engine speed matches the speed for that gear it should fall in fairly easily. It takes a lot of practice, but thats how truckers do it. The clutch is only for starting off!

Sat Nov 07, 2009 8:22 pm

Get a strong battery and drive with a friend following you.

You can start the car in 1st gear with your foot mashed down on the gas. Since you aren't able to shift into 1st from idle.

Then you should be able to sneak the shifter nice and easy (when you would normally shift) through the gears - use authority when shifting, and don't be too wimpy or the transmission can grind.

When you come to a stop sign you can pull it into neutral and it should idle, but you will have to shut the car off before you can put the shifter into 1st again and start the car in gear.

Sat Nov 07, 2009 8:24 pm

It is a bitch getting it in the first gear to get going...when you get it going run it up in gear and let off the gas and shift...the trans will match motor speed some how(i know that is not the technical terms) and go into gear. Putting it into third and fourth is easier. down shifting is more tough. Popping it out of gear and stopping is the easiest, but like I said starting form a dead stop is tricky. If you have a bunch of back roads it will be a lot easier.

There might be a lot of grinding, but like the old saying goes if you can't find em, grind em. I don't recommend this but ya gotta do what ya gotta do 8)

Sat Nov 07, 2009 8:34 pm

You could just buy a tow strap and have someone tow you with your hazards on, with you "driving" the bug, riding the brakes, rather than ravaging your shift forks and transmission gears.

Sat Nov 07, 2009 8:44 pm

I drive truck for a living, and train new drivers. I learned to drive a stick 20 years ago, at 16 years old in a '55 Kenworth with a 5 and 4, which is a five speed main box with a four-speed auxillary bolted to it--so two sticks. I've floated gears in every car, truck and bus I've ever owned since, with no ill-effects.

Regardless of synchros, all a clutch does is match engine speed with road speed--aka tranny and motor rpm. You can do the same with your fuel pedal. It takes practice, and it takes patience.

Avoid hard acceleration and hard down-shifts. The advice you've already been given about starting will work. From first on, just give it some smooth fuel, and when it sounds ready for another gear, let off the fuel, and pull it into the next gear up. To downshift, let it deccelerate until it's near the bottom of the gear, slide it out, give it some fuel to match the tranny rpm to the motor's, and slip it in... You'll get used to feeling that float-point where everything is copacetic.

Don't worry if it takes some practice. Just avoid jamming it home when things aren't right--you'll break something.

Sat Nov 07, 2009 8:46 pm

muir has a section on this...I read it last night, coincidentally

Sat Nov 07, 2009 10:00 pm

dubstar wrote: muir has a section on this...I read it last night, coincidentally

I just checked that out... Good advice. Just remember, it shouldn't take anymore effort than it does with your clutch. If it does, you're not doing your car any favors.

Sun Nov 08, 2009 12:09 am

I read the Muir description of clutchless shifting and learned to do it. I don't do it that often though - the time I did so in my 62 and the gearshift lever busted off at the floor was one of the main reasons for this.

Mon Nov 09, 2009 7:11 pm

So first is the toughest. I have shifted a car without the clutch in the past but never had to start off while at a red light or stop sign.
The post about mashing the accel pedal and turning the key while in first makes good sense, as getting into first was the major concern.
Cant wait for the cable to break now???