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Posted by: cbuehling Nov 23 2012, 07:28 PM

hi. i drove about 100 miles in my 74 2.0 914 today to get out of the city for the weekend, at some point my gears started to creak when shifting and hard to put in... all gears used to be very smooth and easy, except the reverse sometimes. I assume my clutch just needs adjustment, problem its weekend and I am about 100 miles away from my mechanic, high performance house in redwood city. I meant to bring it in anyways next week but my concern is I ruin my gearbox if I keep driving.

is it fine driving home slow and smooth, pushing the clutch all the way and double clutching, or would you get a tow truck. any suggestions?

thanks a lot.

Posted by: wndsrfr Nov 23 2012, 07:43 PM

Me.....I'd drive it home easy....even if the clutch cable was completely broken. Careful easy but firm pressure at the right engine/road speeds and it'll shift just fine. Question...will it idle at a stop with the clutch in and in gear? If so, you're good to go!

Posted by: steuspeed Nov 23 2012, 08:20 PM

There are two 11mm jam nuts on the clutch cable at the back of the car. If you don't know which cable is the clutch, have somone push the clutch while you watch it move under the car. You will need two wrenches to break them free. Tighten the cable and re-jam the nuts. If the cable is so stretched its at the bottom of the adjustment threads you could add some washers between the trunion (part that goes in the end of the clutch arm) and the two nuts. That should get you home.

You can also adjust the cable from the clutch pedal, but its a bigger PIA and will require more tools and time.

Posted by: steuspeed Nov 23 2012, 08:26 PM

If you have a 17mm wrench, I would remove the nut from the plastic wheel the cable goes around. Inspect the cable and make sure its in good condition. Mine broke a few days ago, and that's where it failed.

Posted by: cbuehling Nov 23 2012, 08:46 PM

Thanks a lot for the replies. It idles fine in gear, once at speed it also shifts ok, its really just first and reverse while standing which are painful.

I think I have the tools, I'll try to check it out tomorrow if I can get underneath.

Posted by: toadman Nov 24 2012, 08:19 PM

According to Dr. 914's Tech Tips, difficulty going into first and reverse can often be resolved by adjusting the clutch. I had this problem once after a driver's ed weekend and a clutch adjustment was all I needed.

Posted by: cbuehling Nov 25 2012, 08:01 PM

I found a mechanic, had it up in no time and all it indeed needed was the cable tightened. works and shifts like a charm again. thanks for the tips.

Posted by: Hammy Nov 25 2012, 08:44 PM

Good to hear.
If it continues, you probably have a stretching clutch cable. Been there done that. Adjusting the clutch cable only requires sliding under the rear of the car (i'm a little guy) with just a couple wrenches, or hands.

Posted by: rjames Nov 26 2012, 02:56 PM

Buy another cable for when your current one breaks because eventually it will. Cheap and easy to put in and doable on the side of the road.

Posted by: timothy_nd28 Nov 26 2012, 03:21 PM

This 100 mile away from home mechanic, charge you an arm and a leg for turning that nut?

Posted by: Jeffs9146 Nov 26 2012, 04:33 PM

I carry a set of wrenches for just such an occasion!!

It is a 3 minute job at best!

Posted by: JawjaPorsche Nov 26 2012, 05:10 PM

More like three hours for me! I would NEVER climb under my teener with my factory jack!

Posted by: Cap'n Krusty Nov 26 2012, 05:24 PM

That's what cinder blocks are for: So the car can fall off the blocks instead of the jack.

The Cap'n

Posted by: The Cabinetmaker Nov 26 2012, 05:40 PM

Passenger tires on the curb give you lots of clearance to scoot underneath

Posted by: JawjaPorsche Nov 26 2012, 05:42 PM

I live in the rural south. We always have cinder blocks near by!

Posted by: Jeffs9146 Nov 26 2012, 06:17 PM

I am able to reach it without jacking it up but I am a small guy!

Posted by: Drums66 Nov 26 2012, 06:31 PM

.....Just adjust as you go(clutch),,,there's alot of scenerio's?
(drive it!)