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gybemaster
14 years ago
I've just bought a 1956 Oval Beetle and since I've had it the clutch and break pedal seem to come back excessively far...what could be causing this, the brakes are adjusted perfectly and the clucth is also. Is it the stop plate or could the whole assembley be duff?

Here's some pics so you can see:

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Is it just a case of adjusting the stop plate, if so which screws and way do I move it? I'm completely unfamiliar with the early bugs as I've only ever had a 72 bug meaning this is a massive learning curve for me.

Could it be anything else other than the stop plate though?
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Rich Oakley
14 years ago
It's the stop plate causing that.

Slacken the bolts that hold the assembly to the floor. Keep the clutch pedal upright (don't let it drop forward). You should be able to figure it out from there.
47 Beetle, 56 UK Karmann Cabriolet, 56 UK Beetle, 57 UK Type 2, 59 UK Beetle, 66 UK Fastback.
54 Gertie
14 years ago
Just posted this on VZi, but thought I may as well chuck it on here for someone in the future searching.

Right then,

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Loosen the two bolts in bright green, these go into a threaded spreader plate on the underside of the floorpan.

Now get something high tech such as a brick and jam it under the brake and clutch pedals to hold them where you want them. They should sit vertical, on the face of the pedal (ie where your foot sits).

Move the plate circled in red (that was secured by the green bolts) until both bump stops on each pedal is resting on it. Now nip up the green bolts good and tight and the pedals should stay more or less where they were being held, they will inevitably move back a little so it may take a few attempts to get them bang on.

Make sure these bolts are tight as if the plate is not help properly the force of the pedals pinging back onto the stops will slowly move the bump stop.

Circled in this photo just to give you a rough idea is the cast bump stop on the brake pedal. Also from an oval ('55), I know this as I've just taken the photo....

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:)



William
Mike Peckham
14 years ago
You need to check the adjustment of your brake push rod after you've adjusted the bottom plate. It's essential that you have a couple of mil play before the push rod makes contact with the master cylinder. This allows for expansion when your brakes are in use, if there isn't sufficient clearance the brakes will start to bind on as they heat up, in extreme cases it can lead to brake fade and worse.

If there's too much play you'll have a very sloppy feel to your brakes.

The brake push rod can be found attached to the brake pedal, it disappears into the bulk head and operates the master cylinder on the other side. To adjust it you need to loosen the locking nut, and then rotate the threaded rod in or out until you have the correct clearance (it has a couple of flats on it so that you can get a spanner on it to make this adjustment). Then tighten the locking nut.

Mike
July 1957 UK supplied RHD Oval. 1972 World Champion Beetle. 1978 UK supplied RHD 1303LS Cabriolet. 1973 UK supplied RHD 1303s.
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