Greetings:

I started a thread on this same subject about 5 months back and I would like
to bring the list up to date on what FIXED my serious clutch shudder
problem:

First, opinions on this list and circumstances seemed to focus blame on
Sachs disks.  Someone who's name escapes me suggested that using LUK disks
instead of SACHS cleared the problem for a number of Vanagon repair clients.
We decided to try a LUK after trying just about every fix now being repeated
on this present thread.

During disassembly, my repair shop noted possible wear on the cross-over
shaft.  When they compared it to a new part, they concluded that the design
of the part had been changed by VW.  We installed a new cross over along
with a LUK disk.  The LUK clutch is listed as a Synchro part, incidentally,
but it works great in 2WD Vanagons.

I now have 15,000 miles of daily use on the new cross-over/LUK combination
and it works perfectly.  I just now checked with my service guy to see if
other Vanagon customers have had the same results.  Others with chatter
problems have had the same experience as I have.

My VW shop now makes it standard practice on high mileage Vanagons to
replace cross-over shafts with any wear and to use the LUK disk.  This would
indicate that Kyle Wade is also on the right track with his post.

I hope this helps

Frank LaHorgue -- Pasadena -- lahorgue@ix.netcom.com

1986 GL weekender
1988 Mercedes Benz

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