Clutch Cable

While waiting for my hydraulic clutch assembly, my clutch cable broke for the 3rd time (actually the 4th if you consider that once the cable didn't break but the bracket holding it did). When will Beck realize its weak link? I fully expect some responses about daily driving, but I drive 2 miles to and from work and then to a grocery store about every two weeks, then a cruise once and a while. I raced it ONCE; haven't since then. That's about the only time it DIDN'T break! v

Vicki-

This just hasn't been your summer has it? If it weren't for bad luck, you'd have no luck at all girl!

Every time I read about your clutch cable woes I go out to the garage, lift the rear deck and stare at mine, wondering at what point it will leave me sitting on the side of the road, or worse yet, at a stop light in traffic.

I have no advice, but so have a question...Does it break at the same point each time? If so, where is it breaking?

I'm trying to make it to cold weather so I won't miss good driving days and then I guess I'll put a hydraulic set-up in (Damn I hate to think about that job!)

TMc

My Beck,2003, #783, has 3500 miles on it with absolutely no problem in the clutch cable.Is it possible there is a problem with the clutch causing an overstress of the cable? Good question ,is it breaking at the same place?Is it misaligned? Sorry you're having so much trouble,hope your luck changes.

How many Beck owners have experienced clutch cable problems? Any common ground with respect to causes/contributing factors?

TMc

Thanks guys. Every time except for once (when the bracket holding the cable in place folded up--in the rear by that large wing nut), it shears off right at the sleeve that holds it in the hole where that big wing nut is. Actually, it frays and leaves only a couple of little strands of cable left in the sleeve, which is fortunate because that can be tightened so I can limp home or limp to the shop--as long as it's not far away. Does that make any sense? v v

Vicki: My Beck (#650) has 6000+ miles on it and I can see no sign of cable problems (and that's with my 17 year old son driving it part time). That said, having owned various VW products over the last 35+ years, I've come to the realization that clutch cables, like batteries, have a frequency life, not a time life. How many shifts do you make in that 2 miles? Do you put the shifter in neutral and take your foot off the clutch at stop lights? As an old VW driver, I've learned the techniques for prolonging clutch cables and also driving without one. My son was very impressed when I showed him how to drive a VW without a clutch.
The best choice is a hydraulic clutch, but its still a Zen thing playing with a cable clutch.
Cheers!

Tom--thank you for your response. The "frequency life vs time life" makes perfect sense. Yes, the 2 miles I do is in the city with numerous stop signs and lights. And I do put it into neutral at stop lights. I do that to rest my leg. The stretching I have to do to clutch the car, plus the extreme tightness of the #$%&-ing thing has made me develop ileotibial band syndrome (if you can believe THAT!) in my left leg. It's true. I'm small, but I've been a distance runner and cyclist for 30 years, so my legs are fairly strong. I know you're probably thinking, "Why is she driving this car? All she does is complain." v

Vicki,

I know that the last thing you need right now is more advice but I'm going to offer some anyway. If you've already thought of it then I apologize....

When you have the hydraulic clutch put in, you should really consider having your pedal cluster moved to a position that is more comfortable and suits your height (Assuming, of course, you plan to keep the car for a while). I would also have the entire clutch assembly checked out at the same time....It sounds to me like something in your clutch assembly is in a bind which is causing the "tightness" you describe which in turn, may be causing your clutch cable failure.

Like others here I driven old VW's and Porsche's with the cable type clutch system. The system is archaic and does require some muscle to get initial movement, but what you're describing sounds inordinately stiff and it just shouldn't be that way. If that is the case, adding a hydraulic clutch may solve part of your problem, but it may exacerbate the condition that is causing the stiffness in the first place and could result in some expensive damage within the clutch asembly itself.

Again, this is just my opinion.

TMc