Mk 1 GLD clutch cable sloppy first 1 1/2 inches of travel

[Garbon]

Hi All

My GLD has always had a sloppy clutch pedal/ cable since i got it a few years ago. I have checked to make sure it has the correct diesel cable which it has.

Why would the pedal be sloppy for the first 1 1/2 inches of travel before engaging the cable and clutch? Is there supposed to be a spring on the pedal to lift the pedal up or should the cable do all of the work?

The cable is extended as far as it can go at the gearbox end. What else can I look for?

Any ideas?

[GRN_VAGN]

every golf ive ever driven has been like this, i did fix it by putting it a hose clamp on the steering column acting like a "stop" for the pedal. Its only a quick fix though,

Ive had a brand new cable and still had the slop..weird, ???

[h100vw]

Could be the wrong rubber block at the gearbox end. There's several different ones that I have come across in my time. Not sure how bad they got here but the cab;les used to pull through the firewall all the time in the UK. Check that's not flexing too.

Gavin

[Garbon]

Thanks for the replies

One of my GLD's is fine the other one is sloppy as described. I will look at the block at the gearbox end this weekend. I know that the rubber at the firewall is ok and has not pulled through etc. Have read about this on here too.

[GeorgeMK1]

Ive had the same problem in mine mate, i actually bought a brand new cable and have still had the same problem. I've been through 3 clutch cables and all the same thing haha :/

[Jarred]

I think that the slop is just due to wear and/or incorrect adjustment.

I welded a nut to the pedal stop, to lower the action of the pedal from being way up high (where it's meant to be) to a bit lower down. That made it more comfortable to drive, imo.

[Jmac]

Yeah the firewall pull through is very common and seen some elm st repairs, freddie kruger fitted it with a blindfold on, there used to be a repair kit you could buy back home not sure if its available here, sure Peter Jones would be able to answer that one. Rest of the wear will be in the box and the clutch itself, the plate the release rod rides on etc so without pulling it all apart i would probably space it out a bit at the gearbox cable mount hole where the cable goes through it. Just not too much that you have clutch slip
Cheers
Jmac

[Peter Jones]

Fire wall plate via UK ebay.

MK1 Golf GTi Cabriolet Bulkhead Clutch Repair Panel | eBay

Just search for mk1 clutch repair.

I reckon there's different blocks on the lever and different cables to suit.

There needs to be the rubber buffer on the hole in the box as well as the big rubber block on the cable.

Sometimes even that's not enough though.

I make up a spacer to go between the lever arm and the clip that holds the end of the cable.

Just a bit of 20mm x 20mm RHS about 40mm long with an 8mm hole drilled in will do. That's what I've got in the race car at the moment.

[Garbon]

Thanks for the replies and good ideas!

[Jmac]

Fire wall plate via UK ebay.

MK1 Golf GTi Cabriolet Bulkhead Clutch Repair Panel | eBay

Just search for mk1 clutch repair.

I reckon there's different blocks on the lever and different cables to suit.

There needs to be the rubber buffer on the hole in the box as well as the big rubber block on the cable.

Sometimes even that's not enough though.

I make up a spacer to go between the lever arm and the clip that holds the end of the cable.

Just a bit of 20mm x 20mm RHS about 40mm long with an 8mm hole drilled in will do. That's what I've got in the race car at the moment.

Ah its still available, cool. And yep spacer for the win, knew you would chime in.
Cheers mate
Jmac

[Preen59]

Yeah I need to fit a spacer to the diesel..

Pretty common.