High bite point on clutch

flick34 · Post by **flick34** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 7:23 pm

Hi All,

Was wondering if anyone could provide any advice.....
I've just bought a 'w' reg polo (its 2000 but actually an older model than most of the w reg polos out there)
I love the car and everything is great with it except for the fact it has a really high bite point.
Everyone says i'll get used to it but i'm actually starting to wonder if the clutch is on its way out?? (however its only done 59,000k). Was wondering how long vw clutches last on the whole and also how to test if i need a new one.
Is this a common problem with the vw polo's?? Would feel a lot better if i could somehow alter it as apart from that i'm so happy with my car!
Thanks in advance

Flick34

SpikeyG40 · Post by **SpikeyG40** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 7:52 pm

hi there.

firstly welcome to the forum! we should be able to help you out!

secondly we need to find out which polo you actually have! you say its a 2000 model. the polo's changed models (facelifted) in 2000 so it could be one of two! once we know that we can moved the topic to the correct forum!

as for the clutch. the way i've been told to test if a clutch is on its way is to drive at 30mph, in fourth gear, and put the throttle to the floor. if the clutch is slipping the revs will pick up quickly and you won't go any faster! Hope that makes sense.

so, do you have one of these:

or one of these:

Hope thats of some help!

flick34 · Post by **flick34** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 8:40 pm

Hi

Thanks for the welcome! Its the first picture (the older model).
Also the info on testing the clutch is really useful... i will test it out shortly.

If the car just has a naturally high bite point is there anyway of lowering the bite to somewhat more in the middle so that when i'm pulling off it's easier to get a decent start??(currently it's right at the top of my range of motion -seems to bite in the last inch or so).

SpikeyG40 · Post by **SpikeyG40** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 9:04 pm

Hmmm, could be that your clutch requires adjustment! unfortunately my knowledge of mk4's is somewhat limited! it could be thats just the way it is, but don't take my word for it!

i've now moved this topic to the mk4 section so hopefully we should see some more success!

Josh_polo · Post by **Josh_polo** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 9:09 pm

Id also like some advise as mine is shockily high aswell like to the point i have to dip it like 3/4cm

BIG4244 · Post by **BIG4244** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 9:22 pm

pretty sure that the clutch cables are self adjusting so no real way of adjusting it, a clutch is quite an easy job to if it has gone anyway

BratManGTi · Post by **BratManGTi** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 11:52 pm

BIG4244 wrote:pretty sure that the clutch cables are self adjusting so no real way of adjusting it, a clutch is quite an easy job to if it has gone anyway

hey guys and newbie
i am on my 3rd mk4 now
unforchunatley it seems to be the way they are
i fitted an uprated EBC 5 paddle clutch to mine just before th turbo conversion in october still the same
it is a self adjusting system on the clutch exept for the odd few with the 1.3 engine like a mk3 GT engine as they have a different box
but hav never driven one also my mates 1.6glx is the same
and when it comes to adjusting it were there is a will there is a way
maybe a new cable lol

Mike-Mk4 · Post by **Mike-Mk4** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 12:30 am

Yup, mine is also really high!

Took some getting used to!

Polo96CL · Post by **Polo96CL** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 8:55 am

High point on my MK4 too, nice to see i'm not the only one.

BratManGTi · Post by **BratManGTi** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 11:35 am

Polo96CL wrote:High point on my MK4 too, nice to see i'm not the only one.

yer thought so not just coincidience
anyouying to rest your foot on the pedel and start burning ur race clutch out makin loads of smoke and horid smells

eileenk · Post by **eileenk** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 2:12 pm

Yep my clutch bites high as well - hubby giving me hard time says i bought a car that is going to need new clutch. Gladt I read this - I can now get my own back.

You get used to it.

Josh_polo · Post by **Josh_polo** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 6:07 pm

Glad to see im not the only one, although i might change mine as its slipped a few times

sucks for pulling off the lights!!!

BratManGTi · Post by **BratManGTi** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 12:01 am

Josh_polo wrote:Glad to see im not the only one, although i might change mine as its slipped a few times sucks for pulling off the lights!!!

if your going to change it and have a spare extra Â£200 get the race clutch from EBC

flick34 · Post by **flick34** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 9:35 pm

Why is that then? I've got a feeling it will be worth it!

Nocturnus · Post by **Nocturnus** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 1:25 am

HI All,
A veedub/forum newbie here.

I just got a MK4 1.4CL as my first car and love it. High bite point is an issue with mine (S-reg '98) as well, have to lift leg right up (Not ideal for a new driver!). Have gotten used to it but would rather it was somewhere nearer the floor! I keep fully over-revving it as I expect it to bite sooner.

I dont seem to be suffering from any slippage but ill give it a go and see.