Clutch question

[72Golf]

My clutch seems fine, no judder, no slippage and shifts smooth in all gears. What I don't understand is that when parked on a hill, in gear, if I put in the clutch, it doesn't roll until I start the car...then it rolls. Never seen this before. I'm in the middle of ripping the rear suspension out of the old boy and just thought I would start mulling over the next project.

Whatcha think? Slave cylinder? Pressure plate? Paranoid owner?

[JFT]

I guess I'm wondering where, in the clutch-pedal travel, it starts to bite when you release the clutch? At the beginning of the travel? In the middle? Toward the end?

[72Golf]

Normal position, that is, same as my other car which if I remember correctly is about 1-2" from the top.

[dubois]

My clutch seems fine, no judder, no slippage and shifts smooth in all gears. What I don't understand is that when parked on a hill, in gear, if I put in the clutch, it doesn't roll until I start the car...then it rolls. Never seen this before. I'm in the middle of ripping the rear suspension out of the old boy and just thought I would start mulling over the next project.

Whatcha think? Slave cylinder? Pressure plate? Paranoid owner?

to answer your question, it is probably one of those wierd things that make these cars so intriguing and interesting. Logically, the car should roll down regardless of what the engine is doing. I don't think the clutch slave or master are boosted, but maybe they are - one of the old timers can answer this question more accurately...

[nbcbird]

Some quirky hydraulic failing due position of the clutch cylinder--does it do this parking BOTH downhill and uphill???

[JLENHAM]

I wonder if the clutch is not releasing entirely all the time, so there is still minimal contact between the flywheel and disk, but starting the motor breaks it free. But it would seem that you would also have issues going into first from a stop or other shifting issues.

My other theory...does it only do this on the first start of the day, or always? If only once, I am thinking the flywheel/clutch plate could be binding together (surface rust/contamination?) and then broken free by the motor turning.

Interesting problem, let us know.

[Guest Anonymous]

My clutch seems fine, no judder, no slippage and shifts smooth in all gears. What I don't understand is that when parked on a hill, in gear, if I put in the clutch, it doesn't roll until I start the car...then it rolls. Never seen this before. I'm in the middle of ripping the rear suspension out of the old boy and just thought I would start mulling over the next project.

Whatcha think? Slave cylinder? Pressure plate? Paranoid owner?

I have had this problem on a larger model. Splines on the disk (with the friction material) enlarged (possibly due to wear)? Or, the corresponding spines upon which the disk rides (on the transmission input shaft) worn? If the wear is great enough, the disk may sit slightly cockeyed when the clutch is engaged. This can result in the clutch seeming as though it is engaged. Movement of the vehicle's rear tires typically breaks things free. It is also possible that the disk is actually hanging up on the splines too. .

M