Golf mk3 1996 1.8se clutch problem

[Duncstar]

Hi all, my clutch pedal goes to the floor and stays there, i can pull it back up by hand but as soon as it is pushed it just snaps back to the floor again. Im told it is a hydraulic clutch. Any help and advice would be much appreciated .

[borderraiderdk]

Hi Duncstar

I too have a 1996 Mk3 1.8, but a cab.

I think you'll find it is a cable operated clutch.

I recently have similar symptoms to yours, and assumed the cable had snapped. However, the cable was OK and it turned out that a £8 part of the clutch actuator inside the gearbox had cracked, and was now slipping on an axel.

So, check the cable, and cross your fingers.

Good luck
David

[kenney]

Should it be the actuator,that is boken, it is an hours work to replace.

[Duncstar]

Hi, thanks for your replies, if it is the actuator does that mean that id have to take the gearbox completely off and is it a straight forward job? Also how can you tell if the clutch is hydraulic or cable. Cheers guys and thanks for your help.

[kenney]

Look at the side of the gearbox you will see either a cable or a thin pipe which runs from the bulkhead.The actuator in question is an hours work to replace,no need to remove the gearboxl

[Duncstar]

Cheers Kenney, there is a tube running from the bulkhead but it has a cable coming out the end of it which is linked to the lever on the side of the gearbox which does move up and down when i pull and push the clutch pedal, surely the cable must be ok then. So it must be a cable clutch i think. Strange that i can reset the pedal but when pushed it just snaps straight down to the floor. Im wondering if there is something wrong with the clutch pedal. Sorry if im sounding a bit stupid but if it is the actuator where would i find it and what does it do? Thanks for your advice mate.

[kenney]

These cables are self adjusting,so there might be something wrong with the self adjusting mechanisme.To determine if there is something wrong with the actator,you will need to remove the cable from the lever on the side of the box.You should be able to lift the lever,to a horizontal position without any resistance.Once the lever has reached the horizontal position you should not be able to lift it any further by hand,if you can then the actuator is broken.Send your e-mail address and i will send you the info i have.

[Duncstar]

Hi Kenny, the lever on the gearbox moves to the horizontal position fine, i cant move it any higher as it touches part of the gearbox which is above it. So the highest the lever can go is horizontal. I will send on the e-mail address, thanks for your time mate.

[Duncstar]

Thanks to Kenney for all your help so far. Finally today i removed the green cover from the side of the gearbox,the actuator arm looks to be working fine when i move the lever on the gearbox up and down,i can do this without removing the cable. Im wondering if a rod has punctured the friction plate so looks like a gearbox off job now. Any help and comments are much appreciated.

[kenney]

Remove the actuator,this is a simple procedure,and remove the thrust bearing,behind the thrust bearing you will find the rod you are talking about,pull it out and check the end of it.I can't remember but i don't think i have ever seen what,you are thinking.