TheSamba.com :: View topic - Clutch Chatter

Mon Jul 14, 2025 12:20 pm

Since day one this clutch has been shuddering and chattering upon release. I have shimmed the Bowden tube quite a bit but it only helps a little.
Just how much can this be bowed before I am in a situation where the cable is sawing through the tube?
Have contemplated pulling the engine and putting a Sachs pressure plate in there.
Its also not real pleasureable to drive with aged knees :)

Mon Jul 14, 2025 12:31 pm

Hi,

That happened to me once all of a sudden. I saw the cable had already cut the tube and was getting caught in it.

I tried to put a copper tube on it but impossible since I didn't want to lower the tranny, so I took a worm clamp and tighten it to the point the cut tube would get together.

At least that solved my issue. Been 3 years now.

Mon Jul 14, 2025 1:38 pm

you need to pull the motor and inspect all 3 items carefully .
disc, pp and flywheel .
you will find your answer by looking at the contact areas

Mon Jul 14, 2025 3:20 pm

I had a shuttering problem on a 67 bug many years ago, it turned out that the rear most weld on the clutch tube had broken. You might check that- good luck-Bob

Mon Jul 14, 2025 7:57 pm

Bug53 wrote: Its also not real pleasureable to drive with aged knees :)
Later VWs had a longer lever arm for the cable to pull on. Lengthening your existing one will relieve the stress on your knee.
100mm center-to-center is the factory upgrade arm.

Tue Jul 15, 2025 1:21 am

jim martin wrote: you need to pull the motor and inspect all 3 items carefully .
disc, pp and flywheel .
you will find your answer by looking at the contact areas

I had already planned pulling the motor but the reason was to get rid of the Kennedy PP. and put on a Sachs Amartex one I have.

First I'm shimming the Bowden tube with another washer or two and hoping that takes care of it.

Tue Jul 15, 2025 8:16 am

I quit using solid center clutch discs. If your set up is inclined to chatter or grab the solid center disc will bring it to the fore in a heart beat.

Tue Jul 22, 2025 3:40 am

Bruce wrote: Bug53 wrote: Its also not real pleasureable to drive with aged knees :)
Later VWs had a longer lever arm for the cable to pull on. Lengthening your existing one will relieve the stress on your knee.
100mm center-to-center is the factory upgrade arm.

Does this require any geometry change at the pedal??

Tue Jul 22, 2025 7:27 am

Long arm worked fine on my 65 with no other changes. The diaphragm pressure plate doesn't need all the travel that the short arm provided.

Wed Jul 23, 2025 2:56 am

ZEKE65 wrote: Long arm worked fine on my 65 with no other changes. The diaphragm pressure plate doesn't need all the travel that the short arm provided.

Where did you source the long clutch arm?

Wed Jul 23, 2025 7:52 am

Ebay, Clutch cable arm long vw

Wed Jul 23, 2025 8:28 am

Weddle has long arms, but only for 20mm shafts. Empi arms are sketchy. Stuff like splines clocked wrong... You can make a long arm yourself. Cut and weld

My long arm with a kep stage 1 , you can push the pedal in easy with 1 hand

Thu Jul 24, 2025 12:53 am

chrisflstf wrote: Weddle has long arms, but only for 20mm shafts. Empi arms are sketchy. Stuff like splines clocked wrong... You can make a long arm yourself. Cut and weld

My long arm with a kep stage 1 , you can push the pedal in easy with 1 hand

I bought one from J-Bugs :shock: we will see what happens.

Thu Jul 24, 2025 5:59 am

worn out / weak trans mount can accentuate that too.
so can trying to ease the clutch out too much because your concerned about the clutch chatter / jumping. ive had a couple that did that and they drove way better when I just let the clutch out & go and avoid slippage as much as possible

Thu Jul 24, 2025 12:44 pm

chrisflstf wrote: Weddle has long arms, but only for 20mm shafts. Empi arms are sketchy. Stuff like splines clocked wrong... You can make a long arm yourself. Cut and weld

My long arm with a kep stage 1 , you can push the pedal in easy with 1 hand

I am wondering if this can be swapped with the engine in the car.?
I’m thinking so.

Thu Jul 24, 2025 1:49 pm

[quote]
I am wondering if this can be swapped with the engine in the car.?
I’m thinking so.[/quote

Maybe, but that damn spring will ruin anybodies day :lol:

I found a 4 inch long Philips screwdriver works the best to get it over the arm

Thu Jul 24, 2025 2:29 pm

Bug53 wrote: I am wondering if this can be swapped with the engine in the car.?
I’m thinking so.
There’s hardly any access and once you start you’ll wish you’d just pulled the engine in the first place.