Leon, I too was surprised at how quickly these go--my 87 Nissan Maxima has
all original clutch hydraulics, and my vanagons went through them every
three years like clockwork.  I've asked a couple of seasoned mechanics and
they have had the same experience.  At least it's an easy job, but ATE or
FTE is making bank on these.
tx,
bmc  :)

Ben McCafferty
ben@volkscafe.com

Volks Cafe
1823 Soquel Avenue
Santa Cruz, CA  95062
831-426-1244
http://www.volkscafe.com

> From: Leon Korkin <korkwood@WSHOST.NET>
> Reply-To: Leon Korkin <korkwood@WSHOST.NET>
> Date: Thu, 12 Dec 2002 16:02:01 -0800
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: clutch
>
> Listees,
> When i drove out of my parking space this morning i found out that stickshift
> just wouldn't
> go into any gear. Was able to make a trip but had to do street driving in 2nd
> gear and engage gear
> only after stopping motor.
> Checked clutch pedal and it has ab. 1" of free play travel(at foot pedal).
> Much more than allowed play at the pushrod
> of master cylinder. Bentley shows there is adjustment of the pushrod but it is
> just impossible to get there
> with wrench much less adjust.
> Clutch master cylinder is the culprit imo. Installed new oem in March of 1999
> What do you think?
> TIA
> Leon