• Registered: 2005-06-30
  • Posts: 1

Topic: hit clutch pedal w/foot, feels like cable disconnected/broke?

so sometime last week as i was getting into my '69 beetle i hit my clutch pedal with my foot. not very hard but hard enough to make the hook-thing go over the catch on the pedal assembly. i mean the thing that's supposed to keep it from going all the way to the floor towards the driver. but since i'm also having a bit of a rust problem, it was kinda bent up.


so after i went  down to check it out i was able to force it back over the catch thing. but then i realized that it was flopping forward like the clutch cable wasn't connected anymore. i plan on taking the pedal assembly off and seeing if i need to just reconnect the cable or if it's actually snapped.

basically what i was wondering is, my pedals have set back (towards the drivers seat, not towards the front of the car) for some time now. could that have resulted in the cable breaking? and does anyone have any tips on how to fix this? i have enough knowlege to /probably/ fix it myself and not just have to take it into a shop. but i could use some tips.

thank you.

  • From: Colorado Springs, CO
  • Registered: 2004-03-27
  • Posts: 3,622

Re: hit clutch pedal w/foot, feels like cable disconnected/broke?

Industrial: See Vic's link for a nice exploded diagram:
http://www.1800vw.bizhosting.com/images/pedal_assy.jpg

There is a stop plate (the one I think you've found; see drawing #17, 18, 19, and 20) that is bolted to the floor pan and can be adjusted to set the proper orientation of the pedals. Ideally, the pedal face pads should almost be in a vertical position (not too far forward or back). I found a VW tool at a swap meet that is used to set the proper orientation but you should be able to do it by sight. If the stop plate is messed up (rust) you may not be able to set the pedals.

If the pedal flopped to the front, three things may have happened: 1) the cable is broken,  2) the hook over which the clutch cable "eye" is hooked may have worn thru and broken off, or 3) when the pedal flopped around, the eye may have simply slipped off the hook. All of these can be properly diagnosed once you remove the pedal assembly. 

The following applies if the hook is broken off, however I usually perform this procedure every time I replace a clutch cable. Since you will need to remove the hook from the pedal assembly, clean the whole assembly with engine aerosol degreaser (Gunk) to remove all of the years of grime and grease. This makes inspection so much easier. You can apply a nice coat of aerosol black paint after you've removed all the Gunk and dried the parts thoroughtly. 

The hook is part of a shaft that runs thru the pedals and serves sort of as an "axle" for the pedals; See #8 in the drawing. The shaft is held in place with a small pin (#2) that can be driven out with a small punch. Once the pin is out, the whole assemble can be taken apart for more thorough cleaning and lubrication.

Take your time when you disassemble and keep the parts in order. It will make re-assembly so much easier.

I hope this helps a little. Good luck. Clancy

3 Reply by Sean,s

  • Sean,s
  • Guest

Re: hit clutch pedal w/foot, feels like cable disconnected/broke?

Yeah what Clancy Said Just wanna add Lil Somethin real quick on the Pinn that hold,s the Pedal assebly pedal,s too the Shaft . If you can figure wich end of the pinn was driven intoo the shaft . < Then remove it from the same direction that it was driven in < Meaning take it out the way it was put in in the same direction,s << Makes gittin the pinn in and out lott easier . I also use grease on these pinn,s . <, Can be real pain in the butt ta git in and out sometimes .Also good Idea for bugg,s is too carry a spare pedal assembly around . So might wanna buy 2 shaft,s and keep an Eye out for a 2nd spare pedal assembly too rebuild . << Dont leave home with out it ? Sean

  • From: Bethel Park PA
  • Registered: 2004-06-27
  • Posts: 686

Re: hit clutch pedal w/foot, feels like cable disconnected/broke?

First, when the pedal pulled back towards the seat, the cable end unhooked itself from the clutch rod hook in the tunnel by the gas pedal.  You'll have to remove the entire assembly to hook it back up again.

Second, the problem with the tab on the bottom of the clutch pedal itself not engaging the stop MAY be more involved.  If your floor is rusted away at that point the only fix is new metal.  If the floor is relativley sound, you may be able to shim the stop plate up with a large washer.  I forget now what keeps the stop in proper orientation; maybe the bolt just loosened up and the stop rotated a bit.  If that's the case, just tighten the bolt.

http://www.geocities.com/dyouse2000/VWphotos/063.jpg

Good Luck,

David H
'66 VW Beetle w/sunroof
http://tinyurl.com/qhw59
"Where am I going ... and why am I in this handbasket?"
  • From: Colorado Springs, CO
  • Registered: 2004-03-27
  • Posts: 3,622

Re: hit clutch pedal w/foot, feels like cable disconnected/broke?

David: Nice picture! Really shows the stop plate, bolt and pedal orientation very well. Clancy