While the tranny's out, check the yoke for wear (the part that transmits
the clutch action to the throw-out bearing).  The contact area should be
curved, not flat.  If it's flat, the TO bearing will tend to rock -
this, too, will cause clutch shuddering.

Karl Wolz

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
Of Shawn Wright
Sent: Wednesday, November 05, 2003 9:52 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: shuddering from dead stop...is it the clutch wearing out?
Other items to consider before long road trip?

Sounds very similar to the symptoms I had before replacing my clutch due
to oil contamination. Check for signs of oil at bottom of
bellhousing/engine
joint, and around starter. In my case, I assumed a rear main seal leak,
but
after another trip, my leak continues, so it appears the leak is from
the
trans input shaft seal. If you do find a leak, check for both of these
sources. If the shuddering isn't too bad, and clutch is not slipping,
you
would probably be ok on the trip, but I wouldnt' chance it. I drove mine
for
about 20k kms before the shuddering became quite bad, but it still
didn't
slip. I think once you notice shuddering, the clutch disc is already too
far
gone with oil contamination, they're about $60 US...

On 5 Nov 2003 at 18:09, Owen <olists@THEBRANDS.ORG> wrote:

> I have noticed that when I am taking off in 1st gear if I don't give
it enough
> gas I experience a shuttering effect. Is the simple answer give it
more gas or
> is this a warning sign that the clutch is going? I've noticed no
change in where
> the clutch starts to engage. It is fairly early in the release of the
clutch
> petal.
>
> I am scrutinizing what might hang me out to dry as I consider a trip
to
> Guatemala before the new year. I am definitely going to check /
replace brakes
> and repack wheel bearings.
>
> Fuel lines are new in August
> Coolant is fresh and the hoses all look good.
> grounds were cleaned up when I had the engine out in August /
September.
> vacuum lines new in August.
> All of the funky welded coolant pipes and stripped exhaust threads are
repaired
> and replaced.
>
> I am guessing the drive to be about 20 hours total. I will probably
"stage" the
> van in Brownsville (Where my father lives) to reduce our driving time
to about
> 14 hours or so.
>
> Owen
> 84 Westy "Greta"
> Sugar Land Texas
>

--
Shawn Wright
http://Zuiko.sls.bc.ca/swright
'88 Westy 375k
'85 Jetta D 263k
'85 Jetta TD 482k (retired)
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