Re: Help! Firewall Giving Way

["Fred Munro" <munrof@isys.ca>]

-----Original Message-----
From: Matthew Brenengen <qcar@hotmail.com>
To: quattro@coimbra.ans.net <quattro@coimbra.ans.net>
Date: Tuesday, December 01, 1998 8:39 PM
Subject: Help! Firewall Giving Way


>I think I have a real problem with my "new" '87 4kq.  I had noticed that
>the clutch was a bit squishy, but figured the hydraulic clutch needed
>bleeding or might be leaking.  I took a peek under the dash with a
>flashlight yesterday and discovered that the firewall around where the
>clutch actuating rod goes through the firewall to the master cyinder is
>actually fatigued to the point that it has ripped three or four inches
>across the top all the way to where 1" worth of power cables breach the
>firewall.
>
>It is a mess!  There is not much room in there to rig a patch and I
>desperately seek your collective input.  I figure that the only way that
>I am going to be able to fix it is to pull everything out (all cables,
>brake master, clutch master, peddles, steering, etc (yikes!)) and get a
>donor firewall to weld in.
>
>Has anyone else ever had this problem (could I be so lucky to be the
>only one?).  If so, please let me know what you have done to remedy the
>situation.
>


Matthew;

    This firewall problem has been mentioned previously on the list. From
what I recall, it was attributed to improperly adjusted and/or stiff clutch
and brake master cylinders. Unfortunately, the fix was as you describe -
pull everything out of the way and weld in a patch or replacement firewall
section. If you are in there, you might as well reinforce the area - a
straight replacement may fracture in the same way over time.
    Sorry I can't give you more info - I don't have a 4kq, so I only noticed
these posts in passing. You may find something by searching the archives.

Good luck!

Fred Munro
'91 200q  262k km