Thanks, I'll check while I am at the slave,  to see if that lever has
slipped...The pedal action feels ok, just weak, not rough...I'm betting
slave cylinder...I'll report back with my findings, like I usually do, for
the edification of the list...

  The Vanagon Gods.....They only make things easy when you don't really
notice....I drove around all summer and never gave a thought to my
clutch...then  soon as I began planning my winter trip....that clutch
said....."Hey Dude....remember me? "  A couple of years ago, the Headgasket
got the duty from the Gods......One year, it was the engine mount....
  Don Hanson

On Sat, Nov 19, 2011 at 7:52 AM, Bill M <billmonk@gmail.com> wrote:

> Don
> Couple things to check. Where the operating lever attaches to the cross
> arm at the tranny. I had the splines corrode and the lever was loose. It
> would move a quarter inch before it started to grab. It got so bad it
> started to grind while shifting cause I wasn't getting full clutch release.
> I have also had the pin the actual clutch pedal rotates on wear. That
> caused a squeaking though and a grinding feel when you pushed the pedal.
> The only failures I have had with master and slave cylinders was leaks or
> a total blow out. Nothing in between.
> Now you know what I do. Good luck with your repair.
>
> Bill
> 87 Westy
> Zetec Turbo
>
>
> On Nov 19, 2011, at 10:37 AM, Don Hanson <dhanson928@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
>
> >  84 van, inline gas VW 4, diesel 5sp, diesel engine 50deg. mounts..
> >
> >  Recently (over the past several days) I've been thinking my clutch pedal
> > feels a bit easier to push down.   Too easy....  The engagement from the
> > clutch seems to now take place at the bottom of the pedal stroke...mostly
> > in the first inch or two,  near the firewall. The clutch seems to be
> > functioning ok still, maybe  just slightly notchy selecting gears.
> Since
> > it recently started snowing here (Pac NW USA) and we're beginning to
> think
> > "winter time trip to the Southwest"...this figures. (grin)   This is my
> > first 'issue' with the van in many months.
> >
> >  Brake fluid is good, clutch is one year old.  No slippage from the
> > clutch.  Slave is recent as is the MC...
> >
> > I am thinking first, I'll go under and inspect the clutch slave, after
> > looking for leakage inside under the clutch pedal.  I'll do a quick bleed
> > of the slave and see if that fixes the low and soft-feeling pedal.   If
> so,
> > and then the pedal action again migrates down the pedal stroke....another
> > clutch slave will be installed...
> >
> >  Sound like I am on the right track here?
> >
> >  Why does the snow have to fall before these any problems develop with
> > vehicles?
> >
> >  Don Hanson
>