Author |
Message |
ryans Samba Member
Joined: February 24, 2012 Posts: 136 Location: Portland
|
Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2012 4:51 pm Post subject: first post: clutch cable just snapped (1974).. (Portland) |
|
|
So, I joined The Samba yesterday and it just so happens that today my clutch cable snapped while driving through Portland!
If you're in Portland, I'm in Foster Burger, drinking a beer and trying to figure out how to get my Beetle home..
Last edited by ryans on Sat Feb 25, 2012 5:09 pm; edited 1 time in total |
|
Back to top |
|
|
ryans Samba Member
Joined: February 24, 2012 Posts: 136 Location: Portland
|
Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2012 4:58 pm Post subject: |
|
|
but, seriously, is there someone in town with a clutch cable? Always V-Dub is closed. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Eric&Barb Samba Member
Joined: September 19, 2004 Posts: 24732 Location: Olympia Wash Rinse & Repeat
|
Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2012 5:03 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Wish you were closer!
Any used book shops in the area?? The Idiot's Manual by John Muir has section on how to drive without a clutch. Not what you want to do to your VW long term, but it will get you home.
Make sure you post year of Beetle. Cables changed lengths over time.
Make sure to pickup a gen belt and accelerator cable also to carry in the front hood. _________________ In Stereo, Where Available! |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Eric&Barb Samba Member
Joined: September 19, 2004 Posts: 24732 Location: Olympia Wash Rinse & Repeat
|
Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2012 5:09 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Here is some info:
http://search.yahoo.com/search?fr=mcafee&p=driving+without+clutch
Problem is you have to have engine off when ever starting from a full stop in first or reverse. Slide the stick shift into one of those gears and then try to start engine. Doing this with it in gear will make your VW jump with the starter and engine trying to get going.
Probably best if you push it to the rear, say to get it out of a parking spot and then try to start it in first. _________________ In Stereo, Where Available! |
|
Back to top |
|
|
ryans Samba Member
Joined: February 24, 2012 Posts: 136 Location: Portland
|
Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2012 5:10 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Thank you!
it's a '74 standard.
I have a belt and some tools in the car.
and, the Muir book! |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Eric&Barb Samba Member
Joined: September 19, 2004 Posts: 24732 Location: Olympia Wash Rinse & Repeat
|
Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2012 5:11 pm Post subject: |
|
|
When you want to pop it out of gear, you want to not be accelerating or slowing with the engine, just enough power to keep it at speed when you slide it out of gear. With engine dragging or pushing faster the shifter will not want to pop out of gear easily.
Try to figure out a path home with least stops or even better quieter back roads where you might get away with not fully stopping. _________________ In Stereo, Where Available!
Last edited by Eric&Barb on Sat Feb 25, 2012 5:18 pm; edited 1 time in total |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Eric&Barb Samba Member
Joined: September 19, 2004 Posts: 24732 Location: Olympia Wash Rinse & Repeat
|
Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2012 5:13 pm Post subject: |
|
|
ryans wrote: |
I have a belt and some tools in the car.
and, the Muir book! |
Yay!! Get it out and start reading.
Is engine warm?? _________________ In Stereo, Where Available! |
|
Back to top |
|
|
ryans Samba Member
Joined: February 24, 2012 Posts: 136 Location: Portland
|
Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2012 5:31 pm Post subject: |
|
|
by now, its probably not warm. I am considering whether to take neighborhood roads or wait until night when there is less traffic. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
dan macmillan Samba Member
Joined: October 19, 2003 Posts: 3110 Location: Northern Ontario, Canada
|
Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2012 5:36 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Just a tip. When you replace the cable, check your transmission to chassis ground strap. If it is bad or missing all starter current goes through the clutch cable causing it to heat/stretch and eventually break.
Wait for less traffic as starting the engine in gear can be unnerving the first time around. Shift to neutral prior to turning it off for stops. _________________ Licensed Automotive Service Technician
Licensed Truck and Coach Technician
Licensed Heavy Duty Equipment Technician
CFC/HCFC/HFC A/C handling and installation license
Alignment specialist
66 Modified Manx,68 Kyote,74 Thing,74 Beetle, 76 Transporter,75 self made Double Cab,65 Meyers Manx,78Westy,68 Ghia, 79 Bradley GT2
Current projects:
Built for others:69 Manx Clone |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Eric&Barb Samba Member
Joined: September 19, 2004 Posts: 24732 Location: Olympia Wash Rinse & Repeat
|
Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2012 5:40 pm Post subject: |
|
|
If not warm, start it up and idle it about 5 minutes, then shut it down and try starting it in gear. Hopefully that will keep it from icing up when you start it out in gear.
Biggest hurdle is trying to get engine RPM to match close enough to what RPM that gear is doing. Helps to rev a bit higher than normal and gives you more time to get it in nest higher gear.
See in top of first gear you are going to be doing over 3,000 RPM, in bottom of second gear more like 1,500 RPM. So you need a second or two to let engine drop enough RPM to allow match to get into bottom of second gear.
Starting from a stop in first is pretty hard on engine bearings and so is running too low of RPM in higher gear. So try to minimize those. _________________ In Stereo, Where Available! |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Eric&Barb Samba Member
Joined: September 19, 2004 Posts: 24732 Location: Olympia Wash Rinse & Repeat
|
Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2012 5:47 pm Post subject: |
|
|
If you can set up your route so a stop is on a downhill you probably do not need to turn off engine. Just let up on brakes and let it coast till rolling along enough to slip into first gear. Of course steeper the hill the less problem, and might not need to slip it into gear till you hit the flats again and then figure out which gear to slip it into.
If you have stock gearing and properly working speedo you want to keep in general these ranges.
1st 3-15 MPH
2nd 15-30 MPH
3rd 30-45 MPH
4th 45-60 MPH
Try not to go below those ranges in 2 thru 4th gears, and only go above those ranges for short bursts, like when up shifting.
Please keep us all posted on how it went when you are home!! _________________ In Stereo, Where Available! |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Redvolk65 Samba Member
Joined: September 07, 2010 Posts: 290 Location: Los Angeles,CA
|
Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2012 6:05 pm Post subject: |
|
|
use a laso much easier .I did for 60 miles. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
ryans Samba Member
Joined: February 24, 2012 Posts: 136 Location: Portland
|
Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2012 6:13 pm Post subject: |
|
|
made it home!
I realized that there was a mostly downhill, low traffic neighborhood route. I did it with a combination of pushing, rolling down hill and first gear. Had to start in first about 4 times.. Now, I guess I wait until Monday to buy a cable. I'm not really clear on how I get at the part that hooks to the pedal, though.. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
ryans Samba Member
Joined: February 24, 2012 Posts: 136 Location: Portland
|
Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2012 6:15 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Redvolk65 wrote: |
use a laso much easier .I did for 60 miles. |
I have done this, in the past. It was fun. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Redvolk65 Samba Member
Joined: September 07, 2010 Posts: 290 Location: Los Angeles,CA
|
Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2012 6:24 pm Post subject: |
|
|
ryans wrote: |
Redvolk65 wrote: |
use a laso much easier .I did for 60 miles. |
I have done this, in the past. It was fun. |
glad ur home |
|
Back to top |
|
|
jlex Samba Member
Joined: January 23, 2009 Posts: 2902 Location: NW Pennsylvania
|
Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2012 6:27 pm Post subject: |
|
|
ryans wrote: |
made it home!
I realized that there was a mostly downhill, low traffic neighborhood route. I did it with a combination of pushing, rolling down hill and first gear. Had to start in first about 4 times.. Now, I guess I wait until Monday to buy a cable. I'm not really clear on how I get at the part that hooks to the pedal, though.. |
You'll be taking the pedal cluster out to replace the cable... _________________ jlex.
'70 std. "Elsie"
'88 Carrera |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Eric&Barb Samba Member
Joined: September 19, 2004 Posts: 24732 Location: Olympia Wash Rinse & Repeat
|
Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2012 6:36 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Get a new clutch cable hook for pedal assembly at same time. If you do not need it this time, you will need it someday. So nice to have that as a spare in the garage.
Do you have the Bentley Manual for your year and type of VW?? Get one ASAP.
http://www.amazon.com/Volkswagen-Beetle-Karmann-Of...amp;sr=8-9
Congrats on getting home safely!!! _________________ In Stereo, Where Available! |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Eric&Barb Samba Member
Joined: September 19, 2004 Posts: 24732 Location: Olympia Wash Rinse & Repeat
|
Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2012 7:11 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Also make sure the wing nut fits and turns easily on the new cable. Sometimes the die used on them has seen better days, then you need to buy a die and fix the treads. Grease the threads to keep the nut turning without corrosion later. _________________ In Stereo, Where Available! |
|
Back to top |
|
|
ryans Samba Member
Joined: February 24, 2012 Posts: 136 Location: Portland
|
Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2012 7:54 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Oh, okay, pedal cluster comes out, got it.
I do not have the Bentley manual, yet. It is on it's way, in the mail.
Thank you for all of the advice! I will make sure I get the cable hook. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Cusser Samba Member
Joined: October 02, 2006 Posts: 31360 Location: Hot Arizona
|
Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2012 8:51 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I carry a spare fan belt, accelerator cable, and clutch cable/wing nut in the trunk. And tools to change them on the road if necessary. Personally, I've only had the clutch cable break once while I was driving a VW (40 years). But both cables have gone (at different times) stranding current Mrs. Cusser on the road until I got there, and almost-Mrs. Cusser #1 had the accelerator cable break while she was borrowing it. _________________ 1970 VW (owned since 1972) and 1971 VW Convertible (owned since 1976), second owner of each. The '71 now has the 1835 engine, swapped from the '70. Second owner of each. 1988 Mazda B2200 truck, 1998 Frontier, 2014 Yukon, 2004 Frontier King Cab. All manual transmission except for the Yukon. http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335294 http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335297 |
|
Back to top |
|
|
|