Bob:
Very likely none of the items replaced was responsible for the
shudddering. The defective item was the only one not replaced- the
clutch fork. They tend to wear unevenly over time (perhaps uneven heat
treat?).
This causes the  pressure plate to be oscillating as it is depressed or
released. Bad news for smooth clutching.
I just fixed the one in my 91. With a calipers, the thickness at the
widest part (where the t.o. bearing sits) was .050 less on one side than
the other. I just used a die grinder to re-profile both sides to the
same thickness and profile. The clutch works perfectly!  I'm sure a NEW
fork would be a better plan.   I'll order  a few for my fleet.
Any list vendors have genuine German ones?
(Don't thank me, I read it here 4 years ago.  Thank Vanagon Cafe, maybe?)
Al Brase
91 Vanagon GL, 87 GL

Bob Bolton wrote:

>
>So a changeover, skimmed flywheel was installed, with a new Sachs(?) clutch
>plate assembly.  I was told this was a better make than the one that was in
>there.
><snip>
>
>I'd appreciate any ideas listees might have - hopefully I just struck a dud new
>clutch assembly, and they will wear it.
>
>Bob
>