Clutch-cable disconnected, but not broken

[$hitblast]

My clutch-cable disconnected today, while in traffic. Crawled into a parking lot in first gear. For some reason, my mobile camera had problems as well. I popped the hood, and the clutch-cable was hanging freely a few cm over the clutch-arm. It looked fine, compared to pictures online, though with some superficial rust on the "hat" on the end of the cable. Looking at the top of the clutch-arm, I could see a rubber piece beneath, but not the metal plate that I would later read about. I tried grabbing the clutch-arm, pulling at it, to somehow get a feel of things. It went freely a few degrees, and went solid at horizontal, right under the end of the clutch-cable. It could not be pushed down from its resting position either. I grabbed hold of the end of the clutch-cable, pulled, and that made the clutch-pedal pop out, so no broken cable.

So I sat down and read a bit. From these findings, the clutch itself should be okay. Seems the end of the clutch cable has loosened from it's metal plate.

The last months, since May or so, there have been intermittent vibrations upon clutching into first gear from standing still on low rpms. There hasn't been any slip from the clutch on heavy load, and the cluth works fine for about two weeks intermittently, before having the jitters for a few days. Maybe that has shaken things loose?

I guess I could try and loosen the cable, if it turns out I have a manual adjuster, and then reconnect it, if I can find the metal plate for it to slide into. Is it hard to come by?

[browntown42]

My little metal clip that you marked gave way while I was driving the backstreets. It was flimsy and broke away, Luckily I found it on the floor under the car when we pulled over.
You can buy cheap reinforced ones on ebay.
Volkswagen Cabrio Golf Jetta Clutch Cable Mounting Attachment Kit Brand New | eBay

Because we needed it running instead of buying a new one. We took a medium sized washer and cut a small slit in the middle and cut the sides off, then we welded it to the broken clip.
We then threaded the clutch through the first hole and then used a small jack to lift the clutch release lever above through the cable, then reattached the rubber and metal retainers, then let the jack down slowly and hey presto it works.
So far it's worked fine and isn't too hard of a job to do but I'd let someone else chime in before doing something too rash.

[$hitblast]

I added some pictures. Seems you have to click them to make them show.





And here's the faulty part:

[Special Air Service]

I'd say the metal plate has just fatigued, replace it & you'll be sweet. You'll have to anyway to really see if there is a clutch problem. But I reckon you'll be OK.
Clutch cable will be auto adjust as I don't think Australia ever saw the manual adjust ones.