Dead clutch pedal

[dubbed]

Hey guys,

Been a while since I've been on here (holidays) and now it's for help.

To cut a story short my clutch pedal went to the floor and wouldn't come back up. It now comes back up if I pull it but then goes back to the floor when I push it down. A small white clip came off from the end of the slave cylinder piston but I can't get the clip back on - lack of tools and patience right now. It's the clip that connects with the actual clutch pedal.

My question is: is the slave cylinder buggered? It has some movement in it (left right up down etc) but I want to know if it's meant to be like that or if it's indeed stuffed. If it's stuffed I won't bother trying to get the clip back on the end of the piston and behind the clutch pedal. Instead I will get the POS towed to mum's as it's close by.

I'm so over this car. It's cost me a darn fortune.

Would appreciate any help.

Cheers.

[VOLKSMAN]

what car do u have?

the pedal does that when there is no conneection or brake fluid pressure in the lines and that spring back down is completey normal (since the clutch is hydraulic). i suggest you to find out where that clip goes and make sure there is brake fluid in the resivoir.

[dubbed]

2000 GTI.

The piston is really hard to move (can't do it by hand) but it's loose i.e. I can move it around, just not push it down using my hands. The brakes work fine so I'm assuming the fluid etc is still in tact.

I know where the clip goes. I stated that twice. I just said it's a bastard to get back on so want to know if it's worth wasting more time, sweat and tears trying.

[ntails]

Pretty sure you've snapped the clip holded on your clutch pedal mate. I had the same problem. Check out the thread i started.

http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/newforum/upload/showthread.php?t=29962&highlight=clutch+pedal

Think all up the parts only cost ~$80 and some fun times on the floor trying to fit it

[HOLEIN1]

as ntails has mentioned, its not that much of an expensive fix...

same thing happened to me last year...

http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/newforum/upload/showthread.php?t=18738&page=3

i bent the piston on the brake master and clutch pedal (got this small tab thing welded on it which broke off), so i had to replace that too... i got VW to fax me a copy of the parts listing for that section of the car and it showed roughly how everything went together...

PM me if you need any more info...

[ntails]

When you have completed doing the job, check that your cruise control is working. For some reason when i put the new pedal and clip in, the clutch pedal sensor wasn't being pushed in far enough. All i did was glue a 10cent coin to the plastic clip and it was enough.
Saves you putting your dash panels back on and finding out you have to pull them off again to fix the sensor.

[dubbed]

Thanks for the help guys.

I ended up putting the white plastic clip back on the end of the piston, only to discover a piece of metal on the carpet which has sheered off. So indeed it is the pedal. I am also convinced the piston is bent/loose aka broken. Too bad you guys aren't in Melbourne to help a brother out!

For now it's just sitting at my mum's place. I'm really over it at the moment so I'm not going to fuss over it. I'll wait until I have some more coin and get it towed again to Volkspower when the reopen (18 Jan).

Thanks again for your help guys - much appreciated.

Also: ntails - funny you mention that about the cruise. A day or two before the clutch pedal broke I noticed it wouldn't engage cruise properly unless I hit the clutch pedal a few times.

[dubbed]

I still haven't gotten off my arse to fix this.. Question: if I buy a new pedal set i.e. from an AUDI TT etc, will this have the parts I need to fix my pedal or is there more to it? My pedal is still physically connected, it's just a small metal tab from somewhere that has broken off.

(I know I need the little plastic piece that connects to the clutch master cylinder as this broke.)

[Golf Loon]

Get it welded in situ mate. The factory replacement pedals are the same and will break again. I weld the new ones before installing them.

Far easier to get a good welder under there and fix where it is. The transporters always break too and mine is strong as now

[dubbed]

Thanks Loon. So just get the piece of metal that broke off welded back on? Do I need to remove the pedal box or anything? It's just a pain because the car isn't driveable and I'd have to get it towed again grrr...

EDIT: 200 bucks sound alright for someone to do it? That includes welding it on and supplying a new plastic bit that goes onto the end of the clutch master cylinder. Sounds okay to me because I cbf

[Idle]

If it's weldable in situ then you shouldn't need to tow it — a competent welder with a little portable MIG is all you need.

Most likely only take him a few minutes.

[trettsy]

same thing happened to my friends gti years ago. mechanic fixed it but i have no idea what they did. my clutch pedal feels like the piston is dodgy and i'm concerned same thing will happen to mine. keep us updated on fixing the problem please