1660mm Clutch cables discontinued? 1615mm as an alternative?

[Brenjacques]

Hi everyone

I need to replace the clutch cable on the Scirocco. In the past I've fitted the 1660mm cable (part 534721335) as this was the length recommended for the Mk2 1.8 8v carb but it looks like these have been discontinued and are no longer available which is annoying as they were everywhere just a year or two ago.

The closest I've found is the type that is 1615mm in length, part 154721335. On the VW original classic parts site they have this size listed for early carb Sciroccos up until 1984 but it lists Golfs, especially the Cabriolet up until 1993. I'd presume this will be ok to fit and that the 45mm difference won't really matter? The 1660mm cables are a tad on the long side anyway.

I just wanted to check whether anybody has fitted the slightly shorter cable to a later car and whether there were any issues before I end up spending time faffing around.

[james butler]

i remember fitting a shorter cable or at least trying to fit one to my rocco and it was a no go
the golf has a shorter cable
when i fitted the south african clutch conversion kit, the link bar for the bulkhead bracket to the pedal was too short and had to make some lomger ones for that reason
i would keep on looking to find the right length

[james butler]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/267253049365

[james butler]

https://www.partsinmotion.co.uk/car-par ... MfAWhKholH

[Brenjacques]

Thanks James, I have tried a shorter one in the past and it was too short, I think it was a 14**mm one which was given it by mistake from the motor factors. I did contact Firstline who manufactured the ones linked in your replies but they said they are now a discontinued line so it may be a problem sourcing the right lenth cables, unless Heritage or another supplier can somehow get them in production again.

The only thing that I'm questioning is what changed between 1984-1985 that would make the slightly shorter 1615mm cable unusable? Reading online some speculate that the 1660mm type might have been introduced to do away with the number of cables available for various engine types but there's no definite answer. The 1660mm cables are very long and maybe if they lost 45mm, with some careful routing the slightly shorter cable may be okay.

I'll probably buy one just to try as this may help people out further down the line should they end up in the same situation. If it fits ok then I'll probably stock up on a few.

[james butler]

ike wise i will probably buy a spare just in case
ive noticed over the last fear years a good many spares are now being discontinued
time to stock up