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Sun May 25, 2025 4:24 am

Hey guys just after some help/advice on an issue I have on my type 34.

So what I thought was clutch judder at first, but can’t seem to get rid of it when pulling off mainly in first. Also when reversing and coming down through the gears.
I’ve replaced the clutch twice, new flywheel, new throw out bearing, gearbox mounts, all new sub frame bushes, also checked w fine end float.
It has got slightly better but still hasn't fully removed the issue.

Has anyone come across this problem and maybe shed some light on what else it maybe?

Sun May 25, 2025 5:38 am

Tsettle wrote: Hey guys just after some help/advice on an issue I have on my type 34.

So what I thought was clutch judder at first, but can’t seem to get rid of it when pulling off mainly in first. Also when reversing and coming down through the gears.
I’ve replaced the clutch twice, new flywheel, new throw out bearing, gearbox mounts, all new sub frame bushes, also checked w fine end float.
It has got slightly better but still hasn't fully removed the issue.

Has anyone come across this problem and maybe shed some light on what else it maybe?

It sounds, it´s rather an issue of unproper operating the clutch, than the clutch itself.

With luck, it´s "only" an issue of the clutch cable or the flexible tube between frame and trans.
But with bad luck, in some cases some weldings of tube for clutch cable inside the tunnel can have been broken. In cases like that, the way of movement of throw out bearing would be too short.

Sun May 25, 2025 10:03 am

I agree with what Wagen19 has suggested, Worst case scenario it could be that the clutch tube in the frame tunnel has started to break welds. This would get progressively worse and make it near impossible to shift later.. Make sure that those welds are good. also check to make sure that the bowden tube has the proper amount of bend in it. One other thing I strongly recommend checking, but requires you to remove the engine, is to make sure that the throw out bearing is perfectly aligned center. I had a cross shaft that lost a clip and it made the TO bearing misaligned on the clutch which created uneven pressure on the clutch plate which results in clutch chatter or "judder" as you put it. Other than that I can't think of anything else to check or what else it could be.

Sun May 25, 2025 10:56 am

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=5277362

Mon May 26, 2025 10:57 pm

Tsettle wrote: Hey guys just after some help/advice on an issue I have on my type 34.

So what I thought was clutch judder at first, but can’t seem to get rid of it when pulling off mainly in first. Also when reversing and coming down through the gears.
I’ve replaced the clutch twice, new flywheel, new throw out bearing, gearbox mounts, all new sub frame bushes, also checked w fine end float.
It has got slightly better but still hasn't fully removed the issue.

Has anyone come across this problem and maybe shed some light on what else it maybe?

Some of the clutch friction discs on the market today don't have the load springs in them, they will cuase vibrations on takeoff. Make sure you're using the friction disc with the springs.

Tue May 27, 2025 12:27 pm

bowden tube installed correctly? What's the history, have you ever driven it and it was fine, then changed?

Tue May 27, 2025 12:44 pm

Hey Guys
Thanks for replying to my post.
I have tried 3 different clutches in total with different flywheels and that made no difference.
I’ve tried new and old Bowden tubes with spacing it out etc but still made no difference.
Next time I’m with the car I’ll have a look into the tube running through the tunnel. Hopefully it’s not that as I’ve just had a new carpet set fitted!

Mon Jun 02, 2025 12:24 pm

So I had the engine out again over the weekend. Due to another problem I had!
I checked the tube inside the tunnel and it seems solid. Checked from the rear, also the linkage hatch and gear selector. All looks good so not sure.

Could it potentially be the fulcrums worn?

Tue Jun 03, 2025 1:45 pm

Tsettle wrote: So I had the engine out again over the weekend. Due to another problem I had!
I checked the tube inside the tunnel and it seems solid. Checked from the rear, also the linkage hatch and gear selector. All looks good so not sure.

Could it potentially be the fulcrums worn?

Since you've got the engine out, what does the surface of the flywheel look like? Is it blued in spots? Is it smooth, or rough? Same applies to the pressure plate, smooth? Blued in spots? Rough? Just asking since it's out.

Wed Jun 04, 2025 4:56 am

Bobnotch wrote: Tsettle wrote: So I had the engine out again over the weekend. Due to another problem I had!
I checked the tube inside the tunnel and it seems solid. Checked from the rear, also the linkage hatch and gear selector. All looks good so not sure.

Could it potentially be the fulcrums worn?

Since you've got the engine out, what does the surface of the flywheel look like? Is it blued in spots? Is it smooth, or rough? Same applies to the pressure plate, smooth? Blued in spots? Rough? Just asking since it's out.

Hey
I’ve been through the clutch system. Tried 3 different clutches and 2 different flywheel combos. 2 different throw out bearings.

Wed Jun 04, 2025 12:36 pm

Tsettle wrote: Bobnotch wrote: Tsettle wrote: So I had the engine out again over the weekend. Due to another problem I had!
I checked the tube inside the tunnel and it seems solid. Checked from the rear, also the linkage hatch and gear selector. All looks good so not sure.

Could it potentially be the fulcrums worn?

Since you've got the engine out, what does the surface of the flywheel look like? Is it blued in spots? Is it smooth, or rough? Same applies to the pressure plate, smooth? Blued in spots? Rough? Just asking since it's out.

Hey
I’ve been through the clutch system. Tried 3 different clutches and 2 different flywheel combos. 2 different throw out bearings.

I understand that. I was just asking about the condition of those parts. That could make a difference is why I was asking.

Sat Jun 14, 2025 6:53 am

Hey yeah I get ya.
It all looks ok good shape. I did have a crappy flywheel after the oil seal went a few months back. But the other clutches and flywheels are new.

I’ve also been out to try the car and it’s still juddery as hell!

Can the curve on the Bowden tube be to much sometimes? Therefore making it worse.

Sat Jun 14, 2025 12:11 pm

Tsettle wrote: Hey yeah I get ya.
It all looks ok good shape. I did have a crappy flywheel after the oil seal went a few months back. But the other clutches and flywheels are new.

I’ve also been out to try the car and it’s still juddery as hell!

Can the curve on the Bowden tube be to much sometimes? Therefore making it worse.

Yeah I've shimmed them before, and added a nut under the wing nut adjustment nut before trying to get the clutch to work right.
I think I'd look inside the tunnel at the cable tube mounts if you don't find anything that doesn't look right.

Sun Jun 15, 2025 1:58 pm

I’ll go have a look.
Made me think when the engine was in and out that I may have caught the clutch bearing fork and potentially bent it?

Sun Jun 15, 2025 2:10 pm

Bobnotch wrote: Tsettle wrote: Hey yeah I get ya.
It all looks ok good shape. I did have a crappy flywheel after the oil seal went a few months back. But the other clutches and flywheels are new.

I’ve also been out to try the car and it’s still juddery as hell!

Can the curve on the Bowden tube be to much sometimes? Therefore making it worse.

Yeah I've shimmed them before, and added a nut under the wing nut adjustment nut before trying to get the clutch to work right.
I think I'd look inside the tunnel at the cable tube mounts if you don't find anything that doesn't look right.

Also don’t know where the tube is welded/fixed in the tunnel.
I’ve pocked and prodded the tube front the access panel and it feels rigid. Also had the gearstick out and it feel pretty solid there to

Sun Jun 15, 2025 4:18 pm

Tsettle wrote: I’ll go have a look.
Made me think when the engine was in and out that I may have caught the clutch bearing fork and potentially bent it?

It's possible. I'd probably pull the pedal assembly out, and look at the clutch hook, as it might be worn (slotted) and ready to break off. I've seen that happen more than once. Same with the cable end.

Sat Jun 21, 2025 4:08 am

Just got round to dropping the engine out and looking through things.
See photos below.

Also play in the clutch fork.

Also check the Bowden tube bend.

Sun Jun 29, 2025 1:20 pm

Just an update on my clutch.
I’ve have cleaned up the original pressure plate and fitted it and all seems to be working absolutely fine now.
Turns out 2 brand new clutches were very badly made!!

Mon Jun 30, 2025 10:05 am

Tsettle wrote: Just an update on my clutch.
I’ve have cleaned up the original pressure plate and fitted it and all seems to be working absolutely fine now.
Turns out 2 brand new clutches were very badly made!!

I'm not surprised. Quality of parts today has really gone to crap. And not just VW parts either. When I saw the pic of your pressure plate it looked like they ground part of it to "make it round". Not what I'd call a quality piece. :roll:

Mon Jun 30, 2025 9:07 pm

frustratiing for sure. I keep telling people new does not mean good.