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Thu Apr 10, 2003 5:21 pm

I bought a '74 beetle yesterday, and have problems today. I don't think my clutch is engaging when I fully depress the pedal. I grind (hard) into first, can't find second, and have little problem skipping into third. Could be clutch cable???? Where do I find the clutch cable to adjust or replace?
Don't know much about them, but i'm not dumb, and can figure things out with a little help :)

Thu Apr 10, 2003 6:50 pm

If you look underneath the car above the transmission on the drivers side, you will see the throw out arm coming off the drivers side of the transmission where the clutch cable attaches with a wingnut or bolt. This is where you turn the nut to adjust your clutch. Its directly opposite side from the starter. Or hopefully your clutch tube is not broken inside the pan. that would require some welding. Also, check your shift coupler. This is located by lifting out the back seat bottom and remove the inspection plate that is located above the VIN numbers. There is a screw holding the inspection cover to the center of the pan. If the coupler is worn, just replace it. Wiggle the gear shifter and look at the movement of the coupler. If it looks worn and sloppy simply change it. hopefuly this helps.

Fri Apr 11, 2003 10:57 am

Thank you so much for the advice. Being a newbie to the beetle, forum, and vw experience, I really appreciate such a quick response!! :) Before you posted, I called the nearby trusty vw mechanic that knows the car well, and he's gonna take a look at it tonight. Hopefully, he'll give me an indepth tour of the insides too, as i've only owned it for 3 days. I'm crossing my fingers hoping it's a small fix !!!! Thanks again.

Fri Apr 11, 2003 4:07 pm

Hey guys, I have been having this ongoing stuggle with my 69 bug for a few months. Its all about replacing what you think is broken. right? wrong! Anyways, I was shifting from 2nd into 3rd and BAM i have no clutch. So I took apart the pedal assembly the hook was warn, so I went to BOW WOW and grabbed a new hook and clutch cable. I replaced both of them, they definately needed to be repalced! and took it out on a test run. I'm having a hard time shifting, it grinds really bad. I'm all out of threads on the cable. I can add some washers behind the wingnut to give me more threads, but this might also go back to BOW WOW giving me the wrong part under the right number. I trust those guys though, there really helpful and knowledgable. I guess what im wondering is if i do add some washers to give me more threads, is it possible to snap a brand new clutch cable or break the arm that the end of the clutch cable goes to. Any suggestions? Im not ruling out the broken welds inside the tunnel, im just thinkging thats last resort! what do you guys think? Jim in Seattle, WA