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etrain Samba Member
Joined: April 08, 2016 Posts: 21 Location: CA
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Posted: Sun May 13, 2018 11:07 am Post subject: Clutch wing nut backing off |
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On my 67 beetle, I seem to have to tighten the wing nut on the clutch every weekend to get it to shift nicely. A 1/4 turn does it nicely on Sunday, but by Wednesday, shifting is difficult again. There is plenty of thread left and it appears the wing nut backs off spontaneously. Has anyone seen this issue before or is my imagination working overtime? |
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67rustavenger Samba Member

Joined: February 24, 2015 Posts: 11080 Location: Oregon
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Posted: Sun May 13, 2018 11:31 am Post subject: Re: Clutch wing nut backing off |
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Are you putting a pair of vicegrips in the metal sleeve of the threaded portion of the cable when adjusting the wing nut?
If not. Likely what's happening is that the cable is getting wound up when your adjusting the wing nut. Then as the week progresses. The cable unwinds, causing the clutch to go out of adjustment.
FWIW. I think I adjusted my clutch cable on my 67 2 times in the three years I have owned it.
Just sayin!
Good Luck. _________________ I have learned over the years.
Cheap parts are gonna disappoint you.
Buy Once, Cry Once!
There's never enough time to do it right the first time. But there's always enough time to do it thrice.
GFY's Xevin and VW_Jimbo!
2003 Astrovan? GFYS again, Xevin!
Don't let your bad ideas remain, ideas! |
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Cusser Samba Member

Joined: October 02, 2006 Posts: 33083 Location: Hot Arizona
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EVfun  Samba Member

Joined: April 01, 2012 Posts: 6153 Location: Seattle
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Posted: Sun May 13, 2018 12:03 pm Post subject: Re: Clutch wing nut backing off |
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Or perhaps someone put an older clutch release arm on the transaxle. The older cars used a nut and a jam nut to hold adjustment. The seat was a round shape for the angular change. When the wingnut was introduced it had an oval shaped rounded seat and the clutch release arm had the same shape hole to keep the wingnut from backing off while allowing the needed angular change. _________________
Wildthings wrote: |
As a general rule, cheap parts are the most expensive parts you can buy. |
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KTPhil  Samba Member

Joined: April 06, 2006 Posts: 35900 Location: Conejo Valley, CA
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Posted: Sun May 13, 2018 1:28 pm Post subject: Re: Clutch wing nut backing off |
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There are nubs and digits between the wing nut and operating arm, to keep it in place. If the nubs are worn, or if someone has put a washer there, that feature is lost.
Ditto on the vice grip hint. Also, grip the case sheathing, not the cable itself. |
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Eric&Barb Samba Member

Joined: September 19, 2004 Posts: 25927 Location: Olympia Wash Rinse & Repeat
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Posted: Sun May 13, 2018 4:13 pm Post subject: Re: Clutch wing nut backing off |
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Are you adjusting the cable for exactly the proper amount of pedal play???
Which clutch arm does the rear of the cable pass thru?? Early has a round shape to it and later that uses the wing nut has a diamond shape. _________________ In Stereo, Where Available! |
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