Hey Jake.

Yah the irony is that I was much easier on the clutch before the swap. I
mean it's not a huge difference in overall power. Having fun aside though,
less torque down low could mean a little more slipping to start on hills.
And yes. Hills. Good point. And backing up my driveway with the crooked
hedge; minor pita. Ironically I'll have to do this when I do the clutch!

In all my vehicles, this is the first time I recall doing clutch work
because the disk was nearly worn. I leave my foot up at stop lights and am
generally very aware of clutch use.

Chris S: I see what you mean. Likely a thicker disk would mean thinner
pressure plate, or some other shift of parts dimensions and design to make
room.

Don: Thanks for search suggestions. There's no gap between transmission and
engine, so the TOB is the correct distance from the pressure plate.

Though I went to great lengths to cut the shaft to correct length, it did
occur to me (IIRC) that since the PB hole in Jetta crank is rounded near end
and ID decreases, if the input shaft length was a hair long or not slightly
rounded (as is stock) even though the transmission would seat, the input
shaft could be pushing up against this rounded end. Still. The clutch should
"close shut" 100%  (new) ...... I think.

Neil.

2011/4/25 Jake de Villiers <crescentbeachguitar@gmail.com>

> Your left foot may have some bearing on the longevity but the fact that you
> live in West Vancouver has to be taken into account too.
>
> Clutches last longer for flatlanders than they do for people living in
> steep mountainous terrain!  ;)
>
> I think your inline 4 may have something to do with it too. I have a
> reputation for being easy on cars but I've had the same clutch in my '84 for
> about 150,000 miles. It was replaced in 1994 or 1995...
>
>
--
Neil Nicholson '81 VanaJetta 2.0 "Jaco"

http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/

http://groups.google.com/group/vanagons-with-vw-inline-4-cylinder-gas-engines