heavy clutch

my wifes got a  85 christmas cabrio dx
its had a hard life…
box she is struggling with heavy clutch.
is there any tricks to make it lighter?
a different box? cable
or worse case fit an auto box!

she had a mk4 golf before which she loved but was slow.

You can help things by making sure the clutch cable is not kinked anywhere and going straight down towards the gearbox end as if it's on slight angle (which I see many cars like this) the cable will catch the metal casting slowly sawing through it and making the pedal heavy, later cars had a white plastic clip attached to the master brake cyinder to keep the cable straight or you can wrap some wire around the cable to hold it still like I have done in my Mk1 Scirocco.

https://vwgolfmk1.org.uk/forum/index.php?page=topicview&id=technical%2Frunning-gear_2%2Fclutch-cable


You could also check the clutch cable is running free in the plastic casing, I also oil my cable by remove the clutch cable from the car and drip some 3in1 oil along the metal cable and hang it up so the oil drips out the end or buy a new cable but I would oil the new cable as well…

Oil like this…
3-in-One Oil Drip Can 200ml - Screwfix

If no better could be the clutch is old and needs replacing?

After that you can a fit hydraulic clutch like in later cars but that's not a simple fix…

If you're keeping a cable set up and have not already fitted a bulk head strengthening plate where the clutch cable goes through the bulk head get one NOW even if there is no signs of cracking on the bulkhead, it's such a rubbish design by VW and it will crack or split in time and it's a lot harder to repair the bulk head if the cable pulls through. With the plate it comes with a sticky foam pad on the back, clean the bulk head and stick it on, the clutch cable holds in the place as well as the sticky foam,.

https://www.classic-vw.co.uk/mk1-golf-clutch-cable---bulkhead-repair-plate-171898152-jetta-caddy-19789-p.asp

Well clutch is cable so check its condition, that its routed correctly and is lubricated.
Also check any grommets and guides it goes through are present and in good order otherwise you'll be getting lateral pull on the cable

I've had a few Mk4's and mk4 based cars but didnt ever think the mk1 clutch was heavy in comparison.
In fact compared to my BMW its quite light

There should also be metal C clip attached to the rocker cover stud which also holds the cable nice and still...

mark1gls said

You can help things by making sure the clutch cable is not kinked anywhere and going straight down towards the gearbox end as if it's on slight angle (which I see many cars like this) the cable will catch the metal casting slowly sawing through it and making the pedal heavy, later cars had a white plastic clip attached to the master brake cyinder to keep the cable straight or you can wrap some wire around the cable to hold it still like I have done in my Mk1 Scirocco.

https://vwgolfmk1.org.uk/forum/index.php?page=topicview&id=technical%2Frunning-gear_2%2Fclutch-cable


You could also check the clutch cable is running free in the plastic casing, I also oil my cable by remove the clutch cable from the car and drip some 3in1 oil along the metal cable and hang it up so the oil drips out the end or buy a new cable but I would oil the new cable as well…

Oil like this…
3-in-One Oil Drip Can 200ml - Screwfix

If no better could be the clutch is old and needs replacing?

After that you can a fit hydraulic clutch like in later cars but that's not a simple fix…

If you're keeping a cable set up and have not already fitted a bulk head strengthening plate where the clutch cable goes through the bulk head get one NOW even if there is no signs of cracking on the bulkhead, it's such a rubbish design by VW and it will crack or split in time and it's a lot harder to repair the bulk head if the cable pulls through. With the plate it comes with a sticky foam pad on the back, clean the bulk head and stick it on, the clutch cable holds in the place as well as the sticky foam,.

https://www.classic-vw.co.uk/mk1-golf-clutch-cable---bulkhead-repair-plate-171898152-jetta-caddy-19789-p.asp

if the clutch is old surely it would be weak so replacing it with a new cover unused would make
it stronger to press not sure if that is correct but
sounds feasible to me

Clutches do get harder to press with age.
Check the adjustment on the cable, there should be 10mm of free play on th clutch pedal, if ok I would look at fitting a new clutch cable if it's old.

Then release bearing or rod could be worn?

If you do fit a new clutch get a good make like LUK or SACHS.

Google Mk1 golf heavy clutch pedal and lots of info out there…

https://vwgolfmk1.org.uk/forum/index.php?page=topicview&id=running-gear_2%2Fhard-and-high-clutch

Use a new Cable, as it made a world of difference in my 90.  Also you might check the tube were the cable enters the pedal assembly, as they have also been known to saw through the tube….

Thanks for all the replies-
Ive fitted a new cable, which i lubed before fitting.
And have introduced the strengthening plate & greased up the pedal.
So think it gearbox/clutch .
I havent opened it up to check clutch condition but this car was stood for 10 years- & its got a montego gearbox! 

Same as me then with a Montego Gearbox, new clutch is the same as any Mk1 Golf Gti, VW supplied the gearboxes to BL but for only a short time till BL got there own gearbox.

I've got a Montego gearbox as when looking for a replacement, they was 1/2 the price out of a Montego compared to a Mk1 Golf and it's the same gearbox but there was loads of Montegos being broken in the scrap yard when I changed mine 20 years ago!