I dont want to scare anyone However,

[marc]

Just got my car back from the V Dub dealer for a broken pedal box and new clutch assembly. When collecting the car I confronted the service staff explaining my concern that this seems like a very common problem on the GTI model and had their been any design modifications to this poorly built pedal box unit and clutch assembly. I explained that there are very useful web sites (not stating any names) where GTI owners get together and talk about problems they experience and that the poor pedal box syndrome appears very frequently. The service staff denied all knowledge that this was a problem and said that they had never heard or seen this problem before (liars) and as a result of this no design modification has been made and that this is exactly the same part that would of been fitted from manufacture has been put back on my car. Not happy with this result I rang he National VW customer helpline and explained my case again where they said you dont want to belive anything you read on the internet but did acknowledge they had seen this once or twice before but is not a substantial amount of calls to bring in any design modification to the pedal box or clutch assembly. I must say that since I've had the car back it drives as sweet as a nut as you would expect. However, My car has only covered 30K and to of had this work done out of warranty was gonna cost £750. I cant help but think maybe another 25K miles on from now Ill be back down the garage cursing over the same problem but this time having a big bill slappped in my face. I'm very surprised at the shoddy quality being that its volkswagen I mean has anyone else ever heard of a pedal box breaking on any car ever. I have considered selling the car but it looks the bussiness and handles superb, I always get a chessy grin on my face when driving it around. But I am starting to belive that volkswagen are slipping very sharply off of their "nothings more reliable than a volkswagen" pedalstall. Has any one got any other comments on this or have spoke to their local VW dealer regarding the same problem I would love to know?.

[Josh_PoloGTi]

I was thinking the very same thing yesterday...

I wondered whether the new parts that they fitted to my car had been redesigned in any way for strength etc.

To be honest, it's not the pedal box that causes the problem (iirc), but that is the major part that fails due to the problem.

I think the cause of the problem is the clutch cable.

My dealer told me that the clutch cable had frayed inside it's shielding, thus, when you press the pedal, the cable tries to pull it's shielding with it. The shielding is connected to something (like on a bike brake cable I or similar) so it puts extra strain on the pedal box (which then, possibly due to week welding) it breaks.

I'd be interested to know what parts they replaced on your car (and on Harry's too... Cos his has just gone as well!).

IIRC, they replaced one clutch plate, bearing and sleeve, clutch cable and pedal box on mine.

I also had them replace the other clutch plate while it was all apart (cost to me £120).

This is not good. If VW UK think that this is not a problem, I don't mind collating names and dates etc of everyone I know who has had the problem and sending it to them.

I will start a new Sticky Topic requesting that everyone who has had this problem emails me details, so that I can start putting something together.

[harry]

yep mine went as well on thursday and it's just done 30,000 they are replacing the pedal box and clutch cable as it's gone through the bulk head (or somethng like that) lucky for the warranty eh...will be picking it up on monday is that how expensive it is £750?? that seems a lot.

[marc]

Josh: I was told that the pressure plate on the clutch mechanisim had failed because the springs weren't releasing properly this then had two effects. Firstly, it made it hard and very notchy to engage the gears, it would always crunch when going into reverse. Secondly It also makes the clutch pedal very stiff which puts alot of tension on the pedal box thus causing it to break they said they would change the clutch cable because as the pedal box was broken it had more than likely stretched the cable too. I also was recommended to change the thrust bearing and friction plate because the whole clutch assembly was all apart. This cost me £104 inc VAT. As I said before you really dont expect to replace a clutch on a car thats covered 30K.


Harry: Yep I thought 750 quid was well steep too but when they listed the parts I needed and they charge you £70 an hour labour it soon mounts up.

[harry]

£70!!!! thats scandalous...

[harry]

marc now i know where your £750 is going to, today i went to pick up the car, the work was supposed to be done for 4.00pm, 4.30 and still no car dealers have now advised...... the whole dashboard has to come out to replace the pedal box as the mechanic can't get to it!!!!! ... they gave me a 1.4 new shape polo to contend with tho.. (i have to say it's better than the 1.2 s but only just...hope the gti is much better or i'm changing models come next year..)..

[harry]

Guys heres a breakdown of what they did to the car and how much it cost incase it happens to anyone else these are main dealer vw prices, Supply and fit pedal box and clutch cable labour £155.25, one pedal £15.88, cable £17.47, bracket £24.79 and a sheer bolt £1.90 plus vat at 17.5% comes to £252.97 (now this is at the reduced rate as it is being paid by vw warranty i can only assume its going to be nearer the £300 mark if not claimed on warranty or if you don't have any warranty) hope that helps, i also spoke to the technician re the pedal box breaking he did advise if it breaks once it won't break again due to a modified part and he hasn't come across one thats broken again.

[marc]

Harry: Its good to hear that your GTI is fixed You'll have to tell me what it drives like. It seems as though we're getting mixed opinions because I was told that their hadn't been a modification, maybe Josh's report will shake em up a bit and hopefully get a true answer. I really do hope they made a modification for everyones sake.