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Freemananana
Samba Member
Joined: February 06, 2013
Posts: 15
Location: Leesburg, FL
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 Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2013 6:01 pm Post subject: 74 Beetle Clutch Crunches |
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I've got a 74 VW Beetle, it's late so sorry for the lack of pictures, and the clutch or something went out on it about a year ago. It's been in storage since, due to not having any time to even look at the car. But now I'm back home and it's time to fix it up.
So here's my problem. When the car is cold, the clutch will engage and the car will drive normally. But after about 10 minutes the clutch become hard to push in and it feels like it's crunching. The car won't shift and it's impossible to drive. At first, these symptoms came and went while I was driving so I thought something must have been catching or it was just my car being my car. But the problem persisted and within a couple days it was completely done.
So I hope I can get some advice. It's been a long time since I've worked on the bug. It was my first car and I miss the thing.
Thanks
EDIT: Trying to pull the engine out without taking the trans out of the car. Can't seem to get the bolts off the engine and transmission. I can barely even located them.
Last edited by Freemananana on Sat Feb 09, 2013 2:55 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Jeff's Old Volks Home
Samba Member
Joined: December 19, 2011
Posts: 819
Location: Chester Basin, Nova Scotia
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| Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2013 4:05 am Post subject: |
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Maybe the pilot bearing in the end of the crank/gland nut is coming apart...it makes the input shaft off center and almost impossible to shift with the engine running. Is it OK when the engine is off?
Jeff |
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DeathTrap
Samba Member
Joined: February 26, 2004
Posts: 1757
Location: Sacramento/Vermont
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| Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2013 4:51 am Post subject: |
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| eminent cable failure? |
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Freemananana
Samba Member
Joined: February 06, 2013
Posts: 15
Location: Leesburg, FL
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| Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2013 3:01 pm Post subject: |
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| Jeff's Old Volks Home wrote: |
Maybe the pilot bearing in the end of the crank/gland nut is coming apart...it makes the input shaft off center and almost impossible to shift with the engine running. Is it OK when the engine is off?
Jeff |
Yes, the trans shifts fine when it's off. Could you explain more on the pilot bearing? Do I need to drop the engine, because that's what I was going to do this weekend to fix it and find the issue. But if it can be resolved faster or easier, that's great.
And the cable didn't seem to be failing when I checked it. My step father was really into bugs back in the day and that's what he suggested. But it didn't like it was going bad.
Thanks for the replies. |
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Freemananana
Samba Member
Joined: February 06, 2013
Posts: 15
Location: Leesburg, FL
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| Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2013 6:31 pm Post subject: |
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I researched the ol pilot bearing. I think I'll replace that and the clutch this weekend, or start it at least. I'll take it apart, find what's wrong and order it at least. Put it back together some time after that.
I have another question. My bug dislikes downshifting into 2nd gear. It'll do it while I'm turning, but that's the only time. It's as if the shift of weight makes it work. If not, it just shifts into 4th. |
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mnussbau
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Joined: August 26, 2006
Posts: 4589
Location: Central Maryland
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Freemananana
Samba Member
Joined: February 06, 2013
Posts: 15
Location: Leesburg, FL
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| Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2013 8:32 am Post subject: |
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Quite possible... my car has always had trouble with reverse and the owner before me (it's been 6 years) said they had something with the shifter changed. So I will have to look into this. |
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Freemananana
Samba Member
Joined: February 06, 2013
Posts: 15
Location: Leesburg, FL
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| Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2013 2:36 pm Post subject: |
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| Did some stuff today towards the hope of taking out the engine. Any tips on removing the bolts that hold the trans on? |
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Cusser
Samba Member
Joined: October 02, 2006
Posts: 31353
Location: Hot Arizona
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| Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2013 3:59 pm Post subject: |
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| Freemananana wrote: |
| Did some stuff today towards the hope of taking out the engine. Any tips on removing the bolts that hold the trans on? |
On yours (a 1971 or later with doghouse cooler):
Driver side upper location: use a 17mm socket and long extension(s) and ratchet to remove the bolt holding the engine to the transmission from underneath the VW.
For lower nuts, from underneath: use a 17mm box wrench, hold the box part on straight with one hand, and be patient.
Passenger side upper location: reach around the fan shroud and loosen the nut with a 17mm box wrench, gear-wrench, or 17mm socket/ratchet.
Remember to pull the accelerator cable forward, while underneath. And plug the fuel line with a golf tee. And remove the heater box cable clamps and the heater bellows tubes.
Disconnect the battery and label ALL the wires (oil pressure, to the coil, to the generator, etc.
_________________
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 |
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early
Samba Member
Joined: January 19, 2012
Posts: 184
Location: Glen Carbon, IL
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Freemananana
Samba Member
Joined: February 06, 2013
Posts: 15
Location: Leesburg, FL
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| Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2013 4:36 pm Post subject: |
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I've read a ton of removals. 3 or 4 and one on a bus. A lot of it makes me feel ridiculous. haha. Everyone seems like its so easy and I can't seem to get the tranny disconnected from the engine. I undid all the wiring and pipes connected to the engine based on the write ups I've read.
I actually read the rob and dave procedure before I started this. Maybe the bottom side of my bug is just too dirty and I couldn't see everything.
Tomorrow is another day. |
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