clutch queiry

[robz]

hi all,
think my clutch went last night
the release/thrust bearing has been noisey for a while and last night as i was going up one of the steepest hills in derbyshire the clutch pedal didnt come back up - so im guessing that it will be a new clutch!
how long a job do you think it will be for me and my mate to do it??
also if we cant get time to do it... how much would you lot expect to pay for it to be done at a garage?
cheers!

[rubjonny]

what engine/gearbox have you got?

[robz]

oh yeah - helps

mk3 gti 2e engine - not sure on gear box?
cheers

[rubjonny]

have a read of these 2 links, you might be lucky and not need to remove the gearbox to fix the problem
http://www.brokevw.com/releasearm.html
http://www.brokevw.com/TO.html

also take a look at where the cable attaches to the pedal, could be the pedal has broke or the cable has come away!  Also check the gearbox end, make sure the locking plate for the cable hast come off

[robz]

cheers buddy!
will have a look
my mechanic has had a look and he thinks its the clutch release bearing - so he said the gearbox needs to come off any way!!
but will read them first!!
cheers!

[rubjonny]

Not on a MK3 8v GTI, the release bearing is under the green cap in the end of the gearbox and can be swapped with box still in the car

also the release bearing finger can crack, which also results in the same kinda problem. All explained in the above 2 links   

[robz]

thanks for that link m8!!
looks brill!!
from that i dont think its my clutch, cos it went all of a sudden!
would it be easier just to swap gear boxes??
the clutch wasnt slipping either!!
really grateful for that buddy!

[Wayne]

I had the release arm fail on mine, I would check that first if it has gone, easy and cheap enough to replace.

[robz]

cheers wayne,
were having a quick look today m8 so im hoping its that or the cable... just cos it went so suddenly
cheers m8.
wish me luck, lol

[rubjonny]

much easier to swap the bearing, literally prise off that metal cap and there it is! dead easy. Just make sure you get a new cap from GSF as well as the bearing, and jack the car up as high as you can that side to minimise oil loss

it could still be the clutch though, sometimes the pushrod punches a hole thru the middle ofthe release plate, I've seen this happen a few times.  Its definilty worth changing the release bearing and checkign the clutch arm finger first though, its literally a 20minute job. Even if the release bearing wasnt the problem its no bad thing to have a shiny new one and a fresh green cap on there