Clutch problems

[Buzzfagan]

Got my engine up and running and mounted. I can shift into a gear (although not real easy or smooth) (and even without the clutch engaged??) when the engine is not running.

But when I have the engine running and the clutch depresses it will not get into any gear. Any ideas??

[YDBD]

Yes you can change gears in almost any stick shift with the engine off.

In fact, a clutch is a luxury, with synchros you can change the gears just by adjusting the engine RPM to match the transaxles need RPM.

Back to your problem:

It sound like your clutch is not disengaging. Check your cable tension, you should have about 1" of "free" pedal movement before the cable starts pulling on the clutch lever.

Have a friend with a flashlight look on the top left of the transaxle just in front of where the motor mounts to it. There is a lever that the cable attaches to, this should move when you depress the clutch cable (after the first inch). This lever is connected to the throw out bearing cross shaft, which pushes down the pressure plate and lets the clutch disk spin with the transmission and not the engine. When you release the clutch pedal the pressure plate springs back and squishes the clutch disk between the flywheel and the pressure plate and engages the engine to the transmission.

There is a wingnut that you can tighten the cable with on the end of the cable (it may be a regular nut, but stock is a wing nut) It may be all the way down, which means you need to replace it, or if you have a shortened cable, it may be slipping in the shortening system.

If you have the correct amount of free play and it still doesn't disengage the clutch, you may have a broken throw out bearing cross shaft. There is light pressure just from the return spring on the transaxle, but not a lot.
_________________
'56 pan Dune Buggy since '69
don't live in the past...but when I did:
'67 bug
'64 baja
'60 dune buggy
'73 Personenkraftwagen Type 182 "Thing"

[wythac]

Some more detail on the shortened cable thing: If you still have a cable actuated clutch, it is likely that near the rear end of the cable that the cable is shortened and clamped together to account for the shortening of the frame to fit your buggy body. See if you have this arrangement and check the clamps for tightness. It might be fine when slack but moves once you depress the pedal the first time and put a load on it.

Easy test to see if your clutch is working: Put the handbrake on. Remove the coil wire. Put the car in gear. Depress the clutch pedal. Try to turn over the motor with the starter. If the starter drags and/or the car tries to lurch, you aren't disengaging the clutch, and need to keep looking for the source of your problem. A broken or bent cross shaft means you will be taking your motor out.

[BIGMIKEY]

Make sure the conduit that the clutch cable runs through has not broken loose from it's attachment points too. Should be at least 3 places it's welded to the frame. Up front at pedals, just behind the parking brake area and at the back where it exits the frame tunnel.

Mike T
_________________
BIGMIKEY

Deserter Series 1 project.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=787047&highlight=

1973 Beetle Driver, Marina Blue.

[bugvert]

Check your Bowden tube adjustment it should have a bow in it.
Search "bowden tube"in the forums, plenty of threads on it.
Also check your clutch cable tube mounts as Mike T said.