Pedal Box Photos

[JWC]

These pictures explain why your clutch might go heavy and creaky.....









Much better now, but IMO still a crap design on VW's Part

[yumzone]

I had a polo 1.4 6n2 brought from a dealership, the clutch was a problem from day one it was heavy and creaked.

Afetr much complaining they replaced the clutch I dont thik it was the whole pedal box thing?

Are they oblidged to change this whole pedal box? or just the clutch.

I am now out of warrenty so dont know what I can do now ... does anybody have any thoughts of this?

Thanks in advance
Yummy

[polo power]

if the pedal box has gone they will do it for free as its a safety recall.

[yumzone]

What will happen when it goes? do i have to wait till it goes? bit freaky knowing im waiting for something to break lol

[Polo_Gio]

Is this just a GTI fault? Cos my clutch is creaking too......

[JWC]

The official line is this:

If you have a GTi they will add a weld to the clutch support. If you have any other car and it fails in the warranty period they might change it under warranty. Safety or no safety, they will not change it under any other circumstances unless you pay. Ranging from 290 > 400 + VAT.

In My case, I complained about the creaky clutch from day one, and all through the warranty period, but nothing was done, but I have the paperwork to prove it. My guess is they knew full well the problem, as anyone who has dealt with the 6N2 *would* know about it. But they didn't want to do it because its a big job. I have a suspician that the *official line* is to try an fob the customer off until the warranty expires.

In the end I replaced it myself, and I know how to do it now. I have the failed unit, on my desk, and the photos and you guys to back me up. So I am going to tie it to a breeze block and lob it through the dealership window. With a note attached > might have been cheaper if you had replaced it when you had the chance. <joke>

But seriously, I am going to take it up with VW head office, because I have the evidence that they would like to bury under the carpet - so it might help others out in the long run.

-J

[ben3486]

I was just driving to work this morning and thought my clutch was bit creaky and annoying. Guess it must be this problem.

do you mind telling how much a pedal box costs? and is it a pig of a job? not going to line VW's pocket for their crap design, unless they do it for free.

[JWC]

Pedal box is 26 + vat

I then changed the brake pedal and switch to the recommended later design, which cost another 25 quid.

I also got a complete set of new nuts and stuff that you need - since most of them are oval -use once jobs. - £6

Also you *should* replaced the steeriing column mount bolts with the sheer bolts - but I just used M8x20 bolts, so that if I do it again I will not be swearing so much.


As for the Job, it can be done in a weekend. Once you resign yourself to the fact that you have to take out the steering column, its a very easy job once you have done that.

There are 6 bolts that hold the pedal box in. And two sheer bolts + the universal joing for the steering column.

The rest of the time is just spent arsing about taking cables off and plastic panels. And trying to find a place to put all the bits whilst you are doing it.

[yorks GT TDI]

hi all just to let you all know vw know about this problem on all polos and if your polo is under 80k you will get 100% good will for this

[nickpolo]

JWC - are you planning on doing a photo - or step guide to this, as i've a creaky clutch and would like to change the pedal box myself - a list of part numbers etc would be handy if you have em....

thanks

nick

[yorks GT TDI]

this can be done at vw for free on any polo under 80k

[nickpolo]

mine had the pedal box recall done before i bought it by the previous owner, i would like to do it again with replacement parts for my peace of mind

[yumzone]

hi all just to let you all know vw know about this problem on all polos and if your polo is under 80k you will get 100% good will for this

Ive just sent a letter of complaint to VW head office and arther prince the dealership I got the car from. I will keep you informed on the 100% free thing - as this is my aim.

Cheers all

[yorks GT TDI]

i work for vw just go in to dealer and ask them to contact vw about it as long as pedal box is broken and car is under 80 k they will pay for it to be done

i have changed loads of them

[JWC]

You keep saying that, but they will NOT do it out of warranty at all. I asked and even got a letter from Head Office in Milton Keynes, straight from the horses mouth.

It takes them a day, and they cannot justify that cost unless its a safety issue. Which I argue it is: if its a safety issue on the GTi then it is on the others. They say they will only add an extra weld to a GTi box, but if the box fails completely and I quote 'the customer would have to pay for rectification; although we would offer a "good will rate".'

So its ok saying 'I got mine done for free' if its VW's policy and you are out of warranty, then you would be looking at paying them at least 200 upto 400 to rectify the problem. In many cases, people have had major problems actually getting the garage to admit that the clutch support is broken. In my case, they would not say it was broken and they claimed it wasn't. Now that I have it on my desk and on the web, you can clearly see that it is. There are dozens of unlucky souls on this forum alone who have had to shell out for more than one pedal box, and unfortunately some of them have also had to shell out for gearboxes, which have got chewed up because the clutch is not working properly.

I have also got news for anyone who has had a replacement, the new design has an extra weld on the back, but these too are also prone to failure - meaning you may have to take it back again.

Keep an eye on it

Also, yes I will post a guide somewhere.