Clutch pedal sticking

[FloAK]

87 tin top syncro…

We have been enjoying versatile driving in Alaska winter and summer.

Other day we had the clutch pedal stick 1/2 way after letting off the clutch pedal. If we push back in or pull out manually it works. While sticking the clutch does not engage.

where to start…Appreciate any tips!

Spring in AK is a great van season for skiing-camping:)

[E1]

Never experienced this, but until someone who has shows up…

Is the master cylinder full up?

Any signs of leaks at the slave cylinder?

Old brake fluid in the lines accumulates moisture. In a climate like yours, I imagine that the odds of any water in the lines actually freezing goes up.

How’s brake pedal pressure? A little soft?
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1984 Westfailure/2.1 Digijet/5.43 Ring & Pinion/Peloquin/D-rated BFG KO2s
AI has spoken to further illiteracy, to steal, to cheat, and to replace humans

"Adding power makes you faster on the straights.
Subtracting weight makes you faster everywhere." — Colin Chapman

[Sodo]

How much 'slop" does the pedal have when you pull/push it (at the top)?
New is "appx zero" slop.
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'90 Westy EJ25, NEW oil rings (!) 2Peloquins, 3knobs, SyncroShop pressure-oiled pinion-bearing & GT mainshaft, filtered, cooled gearbox.
'87 Tintop w 47k 53k, '12 SmallCar EJ25, cooled filtered original gearbox
....KTMs, GasGas, SPOT mtb

[skills@eurocarsplus]

I just went thru a pedal cluster for a member here

basically, 100 year old grease could be the issue.

but the pin everyone says should "slide right out" didn't

what was wild was in the bronze bushings was basically 'metal dust' and it needed to get cleaned out and lubed up...you can see the blackish grey smudges in the bushing

this was 1/2 way thru cleaning it out. you can see it's turning 'gold' again

any of what I posed may or may not be your issue. is your return spring broken?

Either way, not a bad idea to just take it out and service it
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[davideric9]

This! (not my photo)

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1987 Syncro Westfalia, stock (bought 1994)
1986 Syncro Westfalia SVX, 3 knob (bought 2008)
1987 Westfalia (bought 2010)
1988 Wolfsburg GL (bought 2012)

[E1]

Wonderful info Skills, Thanks for posting it!
(and for the confirming post above)

I’d wondered about that after posting but have never worked with the parts you’ve detailed.

Now it makes sense and I realize that pedal “spring-back” has nothing to do with the hydraulics.

I try to not speculate here, but this time, I did. Apologies to the OP.
_________________
1984 Westfailure/2.1 Digijet/5.43 Ring & Pinion/Peloquin/D-rated BFG KO2s
AI has spoken to further illiteracy, to steal, to cheat, and to replace humans

"Adding power makes you faster on the straights.
Subtracting weight makes you faster everywhere." — Colin Chapman

[Sodo]

[do.dah]

Yeah,, the "JUST" on my screen seemed to be flashing in BIG, BRIGHT FLASHING NEON lights.

I would "JUST" keep repeating the mantra, "I'm "JUST" replacing a silly little sintered bronze bushing and pin, adding a dab of grease, and hoping I don't hafta weld up the hole. Easy peazy.".

No matter what, you REALLY should "JUST" do it.

AND! Pay no heed to that "1/2 hr" statement. Good times should last MUCHO longer.
"JUST" keep telling yerself, "I am having SO MUCH fun doing this!"

[Borg]

Sticky pedal is one possibility.

The other end of the system is a big ol' diaphragm spring that should be plenty strong enough to push the pedal back "up" to where it belongs. The friction plate slides along the transmission input shaft, is it possible it is binding up?
_________________
Steve

[Sodo]

Friction plate does need to float on the input shaft spline but it doesn't move far enough to relate to pedal position.
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'90 Westy EJ25, NEW oil rings (!) 2Peloquins, 3knobs, SyncroShop pressure-oiled pinion-bearing & GT mainshaft, filtered, cooled gearbox.
'87 Tintop w 47k 53k, '12 SmallCar EJ25, cooled filtered original gearbox
....KTMs, GasGas, SPOT mtb

[skills@eurocarsplus]

you can pull it right out of the speedo hole, no need for a full dash pull but the dash comes out in 7 minutes if you didn't go full asshole and wire up a ton of shit poorly
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[FloAK]

The clutch pedal has ~1.5 inch of play before any resistance. When working the pedal, it feels like the source of the sticking is near the pedal.

Info above is great-I will dig further into and see what i find. Thank you!

[FloAK]

I found the culprit..Thanks for all the tips!

[markswagen]

that'll do it.
l cut the back of the pedal off, the top where there's an extra unused hole, opposite from the worn out end, it serves no purpose that l can see, it's removal make refitting the pedal a good bit easier.
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markswagen {mobile mechanic} san diego area all early VW's cared for.

619 201 0310

[davideric9]

Nice (I think I called this (above) on March 3)
_________________
1987 Syncro Westfalia, stock (bought 1994)
1986 Syncro Westfalia SVX, 3 knob (bought 2008)
1987 Westfalia (bought 2010)
1988 Wolfsburg GL (bought 2012)

[Sodo]

Hey! Davideric you're stealing my fire from March2!

[FloAK]

I appreciate everyone’s help getting this sorted out, it helped a lot getting advice on where to look.

Sodo, I think it is fair to assume that 1.5” of play in the clutch pedal is near or at failure.

Thank you!

[Californio]

Don't tell me, clutch sudden death syndrome. First the trannies now this.

Mine has a good amount of play. You can see the hole that wears out from underneath, right? Will have to check.
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1987 Syncro Westy/2.0L Tiico

[Sodo]

[Californio]

3/4" so that should be good for another 25 years. Maybe?
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1987 Syncro Westy/2.0L Tiico