Re: Really heavy clutch effort

[e6941tb@ix.netcom.com]

Dwight Varnes wrote:
> 
> Again I seek the wisdom of the Q-listers. I recently was able to compare
> clutch actions of my Coupe with that of two others, and mine is BY FAR
> heavier in effort, so much that I find it difficult to drive in stop and
> go situations any length of time. The other two cars (both 85s; mine is
> an 86) were nearly identical and what I would consider "normal" in most
> cars. What the heck is wrong with mine?? The one owner said he had a
> similiar problem and replaced his hydraulic fluid. I'm extremely
> skeptical of this, as I see no reason the fluid should affect pedal
> effort.

He's right. If you open up your clutch MC sys and see all the muddy gunk, that used to be rubber seals, you'll agree. I have rebuilt a number 
of them. Once at it, don't forget to replace the rubber pressure hose and the slave cylinder.  And thank Audi gods for having to do it in a LH 
drive car, for it takes me about 15 min to remove it by now. All you need is a special shortened L-shaped 6mm Allen wrench to reach that top 
10mm mounting bolt. Ask Phil across the pool how many hours does it take on a RH drive car, and what's involved in it. 

> Not to mention that replacing the clutch fluid is a PITA

Naah! You do need a pressure bleeder in order to do it, however. Without it your clutch will_not_bleed completely and the pedal will wind up 
hanging half-way up, when released.
I've built my pressure bleeder out of an empty freon tank, by adding a pressure regulator and a manometer to it + a modified 1L glass jar with 
a screw cap + a modified OEM Audi/VW brake fluid reservoir cap w/tire valve. It also makes bleeding the brakes a pleasant one man operation.

Do not(!) exceed 10psi when bleeding the brakes and/or clutch, or you'll blow the seals.

> and more
> often than not will cause premature failure of the slave cylinder (so
> I've been told).

Hmmm, I'd love to hear about the particulars of a mechanism of such a phenomenon;) 
No, Dwigh, that dude has no clue about what he's talking about.

The majority of the listers, (especially those, who do track events) would advise you to bleed your hydro sys (brakes or clutch) at least once 
a year.

Igor Kessel
'89 200TQ
18psi-TAP