Author |
Message |
Bug53 Samba Member
Joined: February 22, 2021 Posts: 734 Location: Pawcatuck, CT.
|
Posted: Mon Jul 14, 2025 12:20 pm Post subject: Clutch Chatter - Kennedy stage 1 w/ CB superdisc. |
|
|
Since day one this clutch has been shuddering and chattering upon release. I have shimmed the Bowden tube quite a bit but it only helps a little.
Just how much can this be bowed before I am in a situation where the cable is sawing through the tube?
Have contemplated pulling the engine and putting a Sachs pressure plate in there.
Its also not real pleasureable to drive with aged knees  _________________ Never blame lazy people, they didn't do anything. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
volky1970 Samba Member

Joined: November 11, 2006 Posts: 406 Location: A very hot Island with BUGS that KILL!!!
|
Posted: Mon Jul 14, 2025 12:31 pm Post subject: Re: Clutch Chatter - Kennedy stage 1 w/ CB superdisc. |
|
|
Hi,
That happened to me once all of a sudden. I saw the cable had already cut the tube and was getting caught in it.
I tried to put a copper tube on it but impossible since I didn't want to lower the tranny, so I took a worm clamp and tighten it to the point the cut tube would get together.
At least that solved my issue. Been 3 years now. _________________ 1970 Beetle Turbo 2109cc MS II EFI, W/M Injection, Intercooler, FORD Wasted Spark Coilpack, 48lb. Injectors. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
jim martin Samba Member
Joined: January 14, 2004 Posts: 337 Location: Vancouver, BC
|
Posted: Mon Jul 14, 2025 1:38 pm Post subject: Re: Clutch Chatter - Kennedy stage 1 w/ CB superdisc. |
|
|
you need to pull the motor and inspect all 3 items carefully .
disc, pp and flywheel .
you will find your answer by looking at the contact areas _________________ B.C's fastest street legal vw , June 2006 Hot VW's feature car 9.81 sec at 145.26mph.
Sponsored by :
LUCAS OIL PRODUCTS http://www.lucasoil.com
KROC head porting services
Dialedinperformance.com
Airspeedparts.com topic http://airspeedparts.com/forums/index.php?topic=914.0 |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
Bobs67vwagen Samba Member
Joined: March 27, 2005 Posts: 287 Location: Eastern north carolina
|
Posted: Mon Jul 14, 2025 3:20 pm Post subject: Re: Clutch Chatter - Kennedy stage 1 w/ CB superdisc. |
|
|
I had a shuttering problem on a 67 bug many years ago, it turned out that the rear most weld on the clutch tube had broken. You might check that- good luck-Bob |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
Bruce Samba Member
Joined: May 16, 2003 Posts: 17574 Location: Left coast, Canada
|
Posted: Mon Jul 14, 2025 7:57 pm Post subject: Re: Clutch Chatter - Kennedy stage 1 w/ CB superdisc. |
|
|
Bug53 wrote: |
Its also not real pleasureable to drive with aged knees  |
Later VWs had a longer lever arm for the cable to pull on. Lengthening your existing one will relieve the stress on your knee.
100mm center-to-center is the factory upgrade arm. _________________
overheard at the portland Swap Meet... wrote: |
..... a steering wheel made from a mastadon tusk..... |
|
|
Back to top |
|
 |
Bug53 Samba Member
Joined: February 22, 2021 Posts: 734 Location: Pawcatuck, CT.
|
Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2025 1:21 am Post subject: Re: Clutch Chatter - Kennedy stage 1 w/ CB superdisc. |
|
|
jim martin wrote: |
you need to pull the motor and inspect all 3 items carefully .
disc, pp and flywheel .
you will find your answer by looking at the contact areas |
I had already planned pulling the motor but the reason was to get rid of the Kennedy PP. and put on a Sachs Amartex one I have.
First I'm shimming the Bowden tube with another washer or two and hoping that takes care of it. _________________ Never blame lazy people, they didn't do anything. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
oprn Samba Member

Joined: November 13, 2016 Posts: 14723 Location: Western Canada
|
Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2025 8:16 am Post subject: Re: Clutch Chatter - Kennedy stage 1 w/ CB superdisc. |
|
|
I quit using solid center clutch discs. If your set up is inclined to chatter or grab the solid center disc will bring it to the fore in a heart beat. _________________ Our cars get old, we get old but driving an old VW never gets old! |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
Bug53 Samba Member
Joined: February 22, 2021 Posts: 734 Location: Pawcatuck, CT.
|
Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2025 3:40 am Post subject: Re: Clutch Chatter - Kennedy stage 1 w/ CB superdisc. |
|
|
Bruce wrote: |
Bug53 wrote: |
Its also not real pleasureable to drive with aged knees  |
Later VWs had a longer lever arm for the cable to pull on. Lengthening your existing one will relieve the stress on your knee.
100mm center-to-center is the factory upgrade arm. |
Does this require any geometry change at the pedal?? _________________ Never blame lazy people, they didn't do anything. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
ZEKE65 Samba Member

Joined: December 16, 2018 Posts: 345 Location: Right Coast, Florida
|
Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2025 7:27 am Post subject: Re: Clutch Chatter - Kennedy stage 1 w/ CB superdisc. |
|
|
Long arm worked fine on my 65 with no other changes. The diaphragm pressure plate doesn't need all the travel that the short arm provided. _________________ 1965 VW Sedan, 1968 C10 Step BB, 99 C5 |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
Bug53 Samba Member
Joined: February 22, 2021 Posts: 734 Location: Pawcatuck, CT.
|
Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2025 2:56 am Post subject: Re: Clutch Chatter - Kennedy stage 1 w/ CB superdisc. |
|
|
ZEKE65 wrote: |
Long arm worked fine on my 65 with no other changes. The diaphragm pressure plate doesn't need all the travel that the short arm provided. |
Where did you source the long clutch arm? _________________ Never blame lazy people, they didn't do anything. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
ZEKE65 Samba Member

Joined: December 16, 2018 Posts: 345 Location: Right Coast, Florida
|
Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2025 7:52 am Post subject: Re: Clutch Chatter - Kennedy stage 1 w/ CB superdisc. |
|
|
Ebay, Clutch cable arm long vw _________________ 1965 VW Sedan, 1968 C10 Step BB, 99 C5 |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
chrisflstf Samba Member

Joined: February 10, 2004 Posts: 4029 Location: San Diego
|
Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2025 8:28 am Post subject: Re: Clutch Chatter - Kennedy stage 1 w/ CB superdisc. |
|
|
Weddle has long arms, but only for 20mm shafts. Empi arms are sketchy. Stuff like splines clocked wrong... You can make a long arm yourself. Cut and weld
My long arm with a kep stage 1 , you can push the pedal in easy with 1 hand |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
Bug53 Samba Member
Joined: February 22, 2021 Posts: 734 Location: Pawcatuck, CT.
|
Posted: Yesterday 12:53 am Post subject: Re: Clutch Chatter - Kennedy stage 1 w/ CB superdisc. |
|
|
chrisflstf wrote: |
Weddle has long arms, but only for 20mm shafts. Empi arms are sketchy. Stuff like splines clocked wrong... You can make a long arm yourself. Cut and weld
My long arm with a kep stage 1 , you can push the pedal in easy with 1 hand |
I bought one from J-Bugs we will see what happens. _________________ Never blame lazy people, they didn't do anything. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
BFB Samba Member

Joined: November 03, 2014 Posts: 2639
|
Posted: Yesterday 5:59 am Post subject: Re: Clutch Chatter - Kennedy stage 1 w/ CB superdisc. |
|
|
worn out / weak trans mount can accentuate that too.
so can trying to ease the clutch out too much because your concerned about the clutch chatter / jumping. ive had a couple that did that and they drove way better when I just let the clutch out & go and avoid slippage as much as possible _________________ "how am i supposed to torque the rear wheel nut to 250 ft lbs??? " - clonebug
An interesting thing happens in forums where everyone starts parroting the same thing and "common knowledge" takes over.
Most experts aren't. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
Bug53 Samba Member
Joined: February 22, 2021 Posts: 734 Location: Pawcatuck, CT.
|
Posted: Yesterday 12:44 pm Post subject: Re: Clutch Chatter - Kennedy stage 1 w/ CB superdisc. |
|
|
chrisflstf wrote: |
Weddle has long arms, but only for 20mm shafts. Empi arms are sketchy. Stuff like splines clocked wrong... You can make a long arm yourself. Cut and weld
My long arm with a kep stage 1 , you can push the pedal in easy with 1 hand |
I am wondering if this can be swapped with the engine in the car.?
I’m thinking so. _________________ Never blame lazy people, they didn't do anything. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
chrisflstf Samba Member

Joined: February 10, 2004 Posts: 4029 Location: San Diego
|
Posted: Yesterday 1:49 pm Post subject: Re: Clutch Chatter - Kennedy stage 1 w/ CB superdisc. |
|
|
[quote]
I am wondering if this can be swapped with the engine in the car.?
I’m thinking so.[/quote
Maybe, but that damn spring will ruin anybodies day
I found a 4 inch long Philips screwdriver works the best to get it over the arm |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
b-man Samba Member

Joined: May 20, 2008 Posts: 638 Location: So Cal
|
Posted: Yesterday 2:29 pm Post subject: Re: Clutch Chatter - Kennedy stage 1 w/ CB superdisc. |
|
|
Bug53 wrote: |
I am wondering if this can be swapped with the engine in the car.?
I’m thinking so. |
There’s hardly any access and once you start you’ll wish you’d just pulled the engine in the first place. _________________ 1956 Dove Blue Panel
1966 Velvet Green Single Cab
1957 L41 Black Oval Window Beetle |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
|