You sure are a national treasure of information and VW know how!!!

I've found if I'm replacing the spring anyways, I put the throw-out bearing in first, then you don't have to worry about prying the arm out with your shorty screwdriver idea.  Throw-out bearing installed, then spring on the arm.

Nicely done George! The safety wire is a good idea👍 They also make a HD versions of the cross shaft for various model years, or as mentioned adding a few welds is a good idea, I have seen the arms fail from time to time.

Thanks

thank you so much; absolutely incredible job

The definitive VW throw out bearing and cross shaft replacement instructional video. Nicely done George! That safety wire pliers tool is cool 😎 I’ve seen a distributor drive puller tool be useful for removing the old inner bearing as well.

Safetywire is a great idea

when doing this I like to also put a few spots of weld on the arms. I have seen them crack from the shaft at the welds. cheers

Nice!!

Good video

I kept replacing throw-out bearings back in the 70's....pulling the engine on the street in Chicago. Now I know why they kept going out!

Cupped side faces towards the back and flat side towards the engine at 19:22 did he mean cupped towards the front? Man all the videos have great detail and are really helping me tackle some much needed work and maintenance. Thank You

Great explanation and video of the parts, disassembly  and assembly. I will refer to your video if I ever need to re do the shaft. I replaced my throw out bearing and new clutch and pressure plate last week. My cross shaft is moving okay with no play in it. It has a yellow anodized bushing, so I guess it was replaced at some point. My Engine went in today.

Should have moved that shim from the left to the right. Otherwise the shaft will float. Anyway, it’s not that critical.

I have the engine in, If I put the spring in then the lever, I can’t press it in for the circlip to go on. Will loosening the bolt of the shaft do anything similar to what you did since the engine is in?

Should have greased the ears on the throw out bearing too.