I have to keep adjusting the clutch
 

On my son's 1.7 I have to keep adjusting the clutch every couple months. This is after a new cable and a pedal bushing rebuild.

So after doing a search. I assume the clutch tube has come loose inside the tunnel. Where do I start looking for the movement ? And where are they usually broke loose from their mounts/welds ?

TIA

Cary,
Does the clutch ajustment have a double nut on it? Mine didn't and I had to keep adjusting it. Put a double nut on it and I haven't had to do it since. If it is the clutch tube........I don't know.
Sorry.

Yep, its double nutted. I'm just about out of threads. I'll need to take out the spacer tube next time.

Cary: Check to see if it is coming undone at the at the pedal.
Joe

Joe: Good point. I don't remember if I put a lock nut on there.

Joe is right about the nut at the pedal assy. While you are laying in the car on your belly, might as well open the tunnel and see if the clutch tube is broken loose and tack weld that back in place if necessary. One other thing could be happening is that the outer cable at the rear did not get seated all the way onto the clutch tube where it exits the firewall. Over time it will very slowly creep into place causing a constant need for clutch adjustment. To prevent this, I made a tool that fits over the outer cable and I tap it with my trusty hammer until I hear it seat. On one of our 914s the cable fits fine on the other it is hard to get to fit. Good luck.

Cary, how long since your last clutch job? Do you know for certain that the little ball stud was replaced? If not, it may have worn to the point that the the release arm is hitting the housing and causing the cable to stretch. Does the pedal seem harder than other 914's that you have driven? I have seen this happen more than twice! /peter

Look through the two access panels in the top of the center tunnel (one at the front, one at the rear) and through the gear shift lever base. See if anything moves around when you push the clutch pedal. Check the "tour of the center tunnel" article on the Tech Articles page of this site; if the clutch tube is moving at all then you need to open up the tunnel and re-weld or clamp it in place.

--DD

I want to add that I've had a car where the clutch cable and clutch tube interface wasn't great and over time, the cable would seat onto the tube more and more. I thougth I broke the clutch tube, but in fact I just needed to add a spacer to the clutch cable end. The Terry seems to do this.

I installed new cables this weekend. Sanded the paint from the exit tube a bit and then tapped the cable end onto the tube until it seated all the way. (I hope)

dr

That sounds like a good proceedure.

It has a new Terry cable. But Peter's point is something I might look at. It has a real stiff clutch compared to the other car. Hum.............

Along that line, if you have a clutch job and they machine your flywheel, you need to know the before and after thicknesses. You have to shim under the clutch pivot (The little ball) the same amount that is removed from the clutch. This is important when replacing you transmission with one from another car. You need the shims from _your_ transmission.

James

I have thought about the shim issue, is there any way to calculate or measure for this before mounting the tranny to find out?

I have no idea regarding the thickness of my fw compared to the newer tranny.

dr

Unfortunately, its a trial and error fitting if you don't know the change.

Found it. :( :(. Firewall is ripping out. Being pulled into the tunnel.
Not good. I'm going to search for the repair procedure.