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Heavy clutch

A mate of mine has a 86 GL golf with the 1.8l engine. Its clutch is pretty heavy making it a real pain when driving in traffic. It’s a lot heavier than the new clutch I fitted to my sons 1.6 driver which feels fine. Is the clutch on the 1.8 engine/gearbox meant to be much heavier? He’s already fitted a new clutch cable but made no difference. He doesn’t want to change the clutch if it’s not faulty. It doesn’t slip and the car has only done 36k miles. Anyone have any views?

Re: Heavy clutch

Reply #1 –
If it's not done many miles over the last 30 years, it could be your clutch release bearing.

Fortunately, that's a cheap and easy job to do at home.
You'll need a new end cap and another bearing, but it's quite straightforward.
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Re: Heavy clutch

Reply #2 –
Not convinced the release bearing has much influence on the weight of the clutch. I note the 1.6l has a 190mm clutch and the 1.8k has a 210mm clutch, but that doesn’t confirm that the larger clutch has a heavier spring rate.

Re: Heavy clutch

Reply #3 –
It would do if the oil has gummed up in the bearing and input shaft through minor use over the years.
It would also allow you to examine the arm and ensure it articulates freely.
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Re: Heavy clutch

Reply #4 –
Quote from: Monkey on
It would do if the oil has gummed up in the bearing and input shaft through minor use over the years.
It would also allow you to examine the arm and ensure it articulates freely.
Release bearing replaced, and arm looks good.  So the problem remains.

Re: Heavy clutch

Reply #5 –
Unfortunately, you've now changed all the easy/cheap parts to change between your foot and the clutch.
Did you pull the rod out as well? The end of it is the part that physically pushes the clutch in.
Has the clutch always been like this, how long has he had it for?
I've never heard of an oe clutch being heavy though failing (they usually slip), but then you've probably got one of the last mk2 golfs with the original and now 30 year old clutch in.
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Re: Heavy clutch

Reply #6 –
Quote from: Keekster64 on
Quote from: Monkey on
It would do if the oil has gummed up in the bearing and input shaft through minor use over the years.
It would also allow you to examine the arm and ensure it articulates freely.
Release bearing replaced, and arm looks good.  So the problem remains.

Out of interest, how easy a job is it to do this?

Re: Heavy clutch

Reply #7 –
No too bad, you need to sacrifice the green end cap (and sometimes some gearbox oil) to get at it, so get a new one before you start.
But I've done it off a jack and popping a wheel off, maybe an hour max.
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Re: Heavy clutch

Reply #8 –
Quote from: Monkey on
No too bad, you need to sacrifice the green end cap (and sometimes some gearbox oil) to get at it, so get a new one before you start.
But I've done it off a jack and popping a wheel off, maybe an hour max.

Our good friends at B and B do a kit, which includes the green end. Although it's not VW stamped, but I can live with that I suppose  :o .
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/192048960877

Re: Heavy clutch

Reply #9 –
Yeah, that's everything you need!

I know, I'd have preferred to keep my VW stamped one too, but apparently the actual paint on the inside of the cap helps seal the box.
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Re: Heavy clutch

Reply #10 –
Quote from: Monkey on
Unfortunately, you've now changed all the easy/cheap parts to change between your foot and the clutch.
Did you pull the rod out as well? The end of it is the part that physically pushes the clutch in.
Has the clutch always been like this, how long has he had it for?
I've never heard of an oe clutch being heavy though failing (they usually slip), but then you've probably got one of the last mk2 golfs with the original and now 30 year old clutch in.

Yeah, we pulled the rod and it looked fine.  The car is very low miles, just 25k, and has sat for most of its life.  I'm wondering if rust is partly to blame on the clutch cover, but impossible to know without changing it, which would be the next option.