Clutch cable to short. PICS NOW UP.

So, i bought a new clutch cable from GSF and went to fit it today. I have tryed connecting it to each end first but it seems too short.

The plate that the ball joins to that shifts up and down is at it's highest when the ball is fitted. It seems that the plate on the gear box to keep the cable straight is to high.

Is there a secret to fitting the cable? Also does anyone have a picture of how  the plastic bit connects to the pedal?

Help Me pleae!!!!!!!!!

Sounds like you have some bits missing. Can you do a pic of all the fittings at the clutch end?

what bits would be missing?

I have the big rubber marshmallow type plug and the big block of rubber then the 2 metal bits the ball goes through one and slides in the other. Surely other parts would make it longer no?

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Here you go Paul.

just the little slide on bit at the end that i forgot to put on.

other end (pedal)

looks like you got all the bits you need to be honest mate??
are you routing the cable properly?

The white plastic bit just hooks over the pedal…

http://www.vwgolfmk1.org.uk/modules.php?name=Forums&amp;file=viewtopic&amp;t=58519&amp;highlight=clutch+cable



 :dontknow:

Well i have fed it in front and behind the engine. The rubber seal bit that pops through the bulk head to seal it doesn't want to go through but i don't think it would strtch to the pedal still.

Does the slit in the plastic bit just got over the bit of metal of the same shape?

The pedal has got a hook-like kinda thing at the top and it just hooks over the top of that... as for the bung it just sits in an arch shaped cut out on the bulkhead...

Ok. You know the lever that the ball end is attached to should that be at the highest it can go when attached to the cable or the lowest it can go? If it is the highest i might be able to do it but it doesn't seem right because if it is at the highest when i press on the clutch pedal it will need to go higher! Or does it need alot of strength i.e. a leg instead of pushing it up from under it?

Just noticed on the pic that the cable isn't wound out… where there is a nut at the ball end of the cable wind it out so it extends..

i know what you mean. but the reason i wound it down was so that i had enough length in the cable so that when it's attached to the clutch lever near the gear box it'd not at the top of it's movement it's at the bottom. The lever can't go higher if you know what i mean.

Right then Sam, cable length should be 1470mm - 1490mm long...

GTI_sam said

Its a small detail and it probably won't make a difference but the brick-shaped rubber block and the shaped metal plate below it, go the other way round. This way the rubber block's lip sits in the clutch lever on the gearbox and the metal plate securely surrounds it. I do remember fitting one once, and it was a tight fit with all the bits assembled first time, but it did go okay.

As per PM, there's a good chance they've supplied you with the wrong cable - good to check dimensions as above.

The length is within the sizes that blans put up. The way i had the rubbers round may make a little difference.

Am i supposed to have a good pull from the pedal end when it's attached to make it stretch?

Really appreciated the help by the way. I just feel i'm being an idiot because it just seems so simple!!

I mean pull it when it's attached to the gearbox end and pull from the pedal end! Doh!

you know the clutch lever on the gearbox…..what position is it when you pull it up with your hand to take the slack/spring out of it, just at the point where you'd be pushing on the (much tougher) pressure plate springs?

It should be more/less horizontal.


Also….is the bulkhead area original, or a plate been fitted (its a common rust area)? It might be that a badly fitted plate or something else is there, which didn't cause the issue in the past because the clutch cable was stretched.

Right!!!!! Im not just saying it but i previously mentioned about if there was a tougher bit that couldn't be pushed up by hand but can be via pedal and leg!!!! So all of the slack should be taken out of the lever?

GTI_sam said

Right!!!!! Im not just saying it but i previously mentioned about if there was a tougher bit that couldn't be pushed up by hand but can be via pedal and leg!!!! So all of the slack should be taken out of the lever?

No, you shouldn't need to pull the lever up against the tougher spring, to fit the cable. I know it sounds a bit daft but it really helps to remove the starter motor, so you have better access to hold the lever and slide in the (can be fiddly) parts of the clamp below. Just depends how nimble-fingered you are, I wear gloves while dealing with mucky/oily bits of the car so I'm not that delicate, etc.