Grinding clutch!!!

[nickthe fish]

Hi All,

1983 water cooled 2 ltr

I had a problem two years ago where my clutch went and I could not select gears. A clutch change resolved the issue however I had noticed what looked like pin/needles out of a bearing in the fly wheel during the change, stupidly thought nothing more about it. The van went for a couple of years whilst on holiday in Devon I noticed that when the clutch pedal was depressed there was a slight grinding noise, there was no difference in how the van felt as it pulled away but the grinding got slowly worse and seems to be at its worst as the van gets hotter. I took it to a local VW specialist who said it has to be the bearing in the flywheel but didn't seem sure at all.

Before I go to the hassle of removing the gear box just to take a look, does any one know if the bearing is the cause? or perhaps an incorrect installation of the new clutch. Doubtful of this as it ran for 5000+ miles before the problem started. If it is the bearing in the flywheel how hard is this to swap i am hoping that i don't have to take the engine out/apart.

We just made it back to Cambs from Devon where the van has sat over winter but she started up on the third turn of the key yesterday which i was well chuffed with and the clutch seemed fine. i didn't take it far as no tax but it seemed OK not the horrible grinding noise of the last trip.

Any ideas?

[Ian Hulley]

Those needle bearings WERE the spigot bearing in the end of the crankshaft

[nickthe fish]

Oppppps!!! thanks for the reply

So can i change that by removing the clutch or is it an engine out job? And do you think that is the cause of the grind?

[Ian Hulley]

Gearbox out, clutch out, flywheel off Check for damage to the flywheel/clutch components/gearbox input shaft and seal ... DEEP joy

http://www.brickwerks.co.uk/shop?page=s ... ory_id=123

To remove the spigot bearing we used an M6 Rawlbolt on a piece of M6 threaded rod with a weight and a nut and washer on the end, creating a slide hammer.

Sorry, Good luck. Ian.