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aquifer  Samba Member
Joined: August 30, 2021 Posts: 279 Location: Nebraska
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Posted: Sat May 10, 2025 4:46 pm Post subject: Clutch chatter & bowden tube |
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I recently got my 67 together and test drove it. I noticed a little clutch chatter when taking off in first or reverse a couple times. Not bad, but a little. New clutch and pressure plate, new TO bearing, new cross shaft bushings. New cable.
I don’t recall what the recommended bowden tube sag range is, but I do remember that I adjusted it to near the deep end of the recommendation.
Will too much sag cause chatter? Or is it more likely that I need more sag?
I appreciate the advice. _________________ Parts needed:
Front & rear NOS or used OEM door panels for a '67 in the original Gazelle color (dark tan/light brown). |
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MrGoodtunes Samba Member

Joined: May 14, 2012 Posts: 1003 Location: South Florida
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Posted: Sun May 11, 2025 3:42 am Post subject: Re: Clutch chatter & bowden tube |
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(1) What's the condition of your front trans mount?
(2) How solid are the welds holding clutch cable tube in place? |
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aquifer  Samba Member
Joined: August 30, 2021 Posts: 279 Location: Nebraska
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Posted: Sun May 11, 2025 4:50 am Post subject: Re: Clutch chatter & bowden tube |
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MrGoodtunes wrote: |
(1) What's the condition of your front trans mount?
(2) How solid are the welds holding clutch cable tube in place? |
I had the transmission out for a rebuild due to reverse gear not working. When I reinstalled it, I replaced all the mounts. I know what you’re asking about the cable tube because I once had to cut a hole in the tunnel to re-weld one on another VW. Because of that experience, I wanted to check the clutch tube on this car, which I did when I pulled the shift rod out to replace the bushing in the tunnel. While the rod was out, I did what I could to reach in the shifter hole and try to move the tube. It seemed solid, so I am pretty confident that’s not the problem.
I may eventually find that I’m wrong about the clutch tube inside the tunnel, but I wanted to ask about the Bowden tube sag first. _________________ Parts needed:
Front & rear NOS or used OEM door panels for a '67 in the original Gazelle color (dark tan/light brown). |
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runamoc  Samba Member

Joined: June 19, 2006 Posts: 6043 Location: 37.5N 77.1W
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Posted: Mon May 12, 2025 8:01 am Post subject: Re: Clutch chatter & bowden tube |
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I have found that clutch 'chatter' comes from a loose front mount. _________________ Daily driver: '69 Baja owned 45 yrs - Plan B: '72 Ghia
Yard Art: 2 Sandrails
Outback: '69 Ghia - '68,'69,'70,'72 Beetle - '84 Scirocco, GTI - Pair of '02 Golfs- '80 Rabbit Diesel
VW Wiring = It's just wires |
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mukluk Samba Member

Joined: October 18, 2012 Posts: 7421 Location: Clyde, TX
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Posted: Mon May 12, 2025 5:44 pm Post subject: Re: Clutch chatter & bowden tube |
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In addition to the loose trans mounts mentioned, clutch chatter can also be caused by grease/oil contamination of the disc, uneven spring pressure of the pressure plate, bent/uneven fingers on the clutch fork, glazing of the friction surfaces, or excess runout or tolerance stacking of the flywheel and clutch parts.
Typically incorrect bowden tube sag will result either in excessive cable drag/pedal effort (too much sag), or poor clutch feel (too little sag). _________________ 1960 Ragtop w/Semaphores "Inga" |
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aquifer  Samba Member
Joined: August 30, 2021 Posts: 279 Location: Nebraska
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Posted: Sat May 17, 2025 10:37 am Post subject: Re: Clutch chatter & bowden tube |
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OP here, returning to report that the chatter has been eliminated.
My bowden tube had too much sag. I removed the tube and compared the length to the original one. I also measured the depth of the end that goes over the steel chassis tube so I could accurately compare the new tube’s useable length to the original one. I removed shims to make the sag exactly the same as the original one. The sag is much closer to the minimum recommendation now, vs the maximum previously.
To clarify, I had installed new front and rear mounts, but I did double check that everything was tight based on the suggestion above. All was good, so I focused on the bowden tube. _________________ Parts needed:
Front & rear NOS or used OEM door panels for a '67 in the original Gazelle color (dark tan/light brown). |
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