shuddering clutch needs help please

[Pooks]

Hi ,
The other day I was driving home and all of a sudden releasing the clutch pedal started a hard shuddering from the clutch, it only happened on release of the pedal but the shaking was hard enough to make the pedal itself shake. the shaking was worst when pulling away in first, the rest of the gears were not so bad. There is no slipping once the clutch is engaged.

So far I have done the following.

Checked the pedal, looks fine
Checked the clutch cable - looks to be good.
Checked the Clutch arm and spring for damage and wear - both look fine.
Checked the bowden tube and it is ok.

Today I dropped the engine to take a look at the clutch fork and throwout bearing. I can't see any issues here either. the fork looks good and the baring moves freely, maybe with a little noise. I have included the below pics in case anyone thinks something looks wrong.

Any help would be awesome.

[Dangermouse]

Broken front tranny mount...?
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Do not follow me, for I may not lead. Do not lead me, for I may not follow. Do not walk beside me either; actually just bugger off and stand over there will you.

[Pooks]

hmmm it looks ok to me but I will have another look tomorrow when I have more time to get under the car. Would a tranny mount going bad happen all of a sudden? I thought it would be a gradual problem as the mount got worse?

[mukluk]

Since you have the engine out already, pull the pressure plate and inspect the clutch components and flywheel for warping or other damage.
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1960 Ragtop w/Semaphores "Inga"

[jwp67]

I had the same issue. I was also getting clunking noise from the back over bumps. Check the back body mount bolts near the shock tower. Mine had become loose over time. This fixed my problem

[Ojai63dbl]

Classic shuddering causes I have seen:

1) oil on clutch disc (bad rear main seal or tranny seal) . For your appearance I doubt it as your bell housing didn't have sign of oil or tranny fluid in it and this gets worse with time not sudden

2) Tranny mount (front, and rear). They often look good but have separated. It cases engine to shift as you engage tranny an flywheel. and will be sudden

3) Clutch pressure plate (broken arm) yours looks fine though.

4) Perhaps the clutch cable mounts in tunnel weld has failed. Happens nd is fixable, but you have to cut into tunnel.

5) Loose engine. or tranny framehorn bolts (UNLIKLEY unless you recently had engine in / out or tranny in/out)

5) Dragging brake drum in rear

[hsosa1]

Tranny mount . Replace that throw out bearing it's bad has rust on the inside. Get a german one.
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Just Cruzin Sur Califas VW Car Club est♤1998

[djshutup]

I'am dealing with a similar issue but only from stop to moving either going to reverse or first and I'am 99% sure its the front tranny mount.
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1967 Volkswagen Bug (stock). 1980 Yamaha XS400 Special II (stock). Ya I like stock classics

[hsosa1]

[Dangermouse]

OP - have you got a mismatched throw out bearing and pressure plate also? Looks like a late throw out bearing (with guide tube) and early pressure plate (with collar). I think you may need to remove the collar on the pressure plate for it to work with that bearing but not sure if this would cause your shuddering issues.
_________________
Do not follow me, for I may not lead. Do not lead me, for I may not follow. Do not walk beside me either; actually just bugger off and stand over there will you.

[hsosa1]

It does look like a late bearing then it could be in the race separated either way needs to be replaced
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Just Cruzin Sur Califas VW Car Club est♤1998

[djshutup]

[Pooks]

According to this http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=148307
I have both an early bearing and plate, but I will replace the bearing anyway.

Thanks for the suggestions, I will check the clutch guide tube as well .. Got a nasty feeling that it may be contributing as from the look of the tunnel near the pedals it's been cut (badly) before suggesting a previous fix and if the po's other welding is anything to go by it was not done well...

I will let you know how I get on.

Cheers!

[Ojai63dbl]

at least you can look inside now without worrying about slicing tunnel open (LOL)


I still bet front mount, but if you open tunnel, might as well tack the cable guide, and make a better looking tunnel cover that's removable for future access. In gallery yo can find some examples of peoples approaches

[racerock]

Once again, OP gets all kinds of help but does not post the outcome to return the favors... SMH.