I could use some repair and/or parts assistance with my 75 1.8, My wife passed away 12/21/25 and I'm scrambling Options

[914rrr]

Hi All. As stated above, my wife passed away on 12/21/25 due to multiple pulmonary embolisms.

As some of you know, I'm in interim housing (was in a hotel, now staying with my mom) in Louisville, KY after selling my house in Knoxville, TN early this year. I need to get the 914 moved out of the hotel parking lot and into a place where I can perform some fixes to get it more drivable and secured in some sort of storage.

I have a tow bar bracket that I need to install, It's been awhile since I've installed one and don't remember what needs to come off to install it.

It also needs the clutch cable adjusted and/or a new clutch cable installed since there is far too much free play in the pedal.

Any assistance at this point would be greatly appreciated.

[mate914]

I am sorry for your loss. I am too far away to offer any help moving car. I do have a few spare parts if you need. Just list parts needed?

Matt

[rick 918-S]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) Sorry for your loss. Someone will be able to assist. I have a new clutch cable I can ship to you. PM me your address and I will get it shipped today.

[sixnotfour]

So Sorry for Your loss.. Hard (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) , We are here for you..

Hopefully clutch tube hasn't broken loose cause too much freeplay..

[930cabman]

I am sorry for your loss, being in Buffalo I will not be of much help.

[VaccaRabite]

I have a tow bar bracket that I need to install, It's been awhile since I've installed one and don't remember what needs to come off to install it.

Any assistance at this point would be greatly appreciated.

The tow bar attaches to the front of the car using the bolts that the A Arms use. You remove those 6 bolts and put the tow bar brackets between the A-Arms and the front trunk tub. Bolt it back in and you are good to go. You MAY need to remove or trim the front valence to use the bracket. I did not on my car, but some people have stated they had to - it just depends on the valence.

Zach

[914rrr]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) Sorry for your loss. Someone will be able to assist. I have a new clutch cable I can ship to you. PM me your address and I will get it shipped today.

Wow, thanks Rick! PM sent.

[fiacra]

I can't even imagine what you must be going through. Words are inadequate to provide any solace, but I really am sorry to hear what you are facing right now. Just know that it does get better and try your best to hang on until it does. I'm glad you are staying with family right now and not on your own in a hotel room.

Hopefully you can get your car somewhere safe and remove at least that one source of stress. I'm attaching pictures of my installed 914 Rubber tow bar mount (also on a 1975 1.8) in case you find that helpful. It does require the LE valance in order to allow clearance to attach the tow bar. In the interim you can always just remove the valance. It can be put back on between tows. As Zach said, the tow bar mount bolts on at the front attachment point for the A arms. Remove the front A arm mount covers and put them somewhere safe so they can be put back on if you ever remove the tow bar. They will not fit back on with the tow bar mount bolted on. You will need slightly longer bolts to compensate for the thickness of the tow bar mount. I think in the short term you can probably reuse the current bolts for the sake of getting this done with the minimum of effort, but they are a bit short and in the long term it is best to use bolts with better purchase. It has been a while, but I'm pretty sure they were just long enough to get the mount attached.

Good luck. If I were anywhere in your area I'd be over there in a heartbeat to install it for you.

[914Sixer]

The best prayers for you possible.

[rick 918-S]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) Sorry for your loss. Someone will be able to assist. I have a new clutch cable I can ship to you. PM me your address and I will get it shipped today.

Wow, thanks Rick! PM sent.

So sorry, I thought I had 2 clutch cables in storage. I ended up discovering I actually have two new speedometer cables. I have no idea why I have these. I must have ordered them by mistake.

I bet someone will have what you need and be happy to share with you. specially this time of year.

[burton73]

I'm so sorry for the loss of your wife, I've been there as well as a number of other my 914 brothers have.
Good that you are staying with loved ones. It’s going to take time to Grieve and it comes in waves.

Best Bob B

[East coaster]

So sorry for your loss (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

I think I have a new clutch cable that you can have. I’ll go look for it and follow up.

[914rrr]

I can't even imagine what you must be going through. Words are inadequate to provide any solace, but I really am sorry to hear what you are facing right now. Just know that it does get better and try your best to hang on until it does. I'm glad you are staying with family right now and not on your own in a hotel room.

Hopefully you can get your car somewhere safe and remove at least that one source of stress. I'm attaching pictures of my installed 914 Rubber tow bar mount (also on a 1975 1.8) in case you find that helpful. It does require the LE valance in order to allow clearance to attach the tow bar. In the interim you can always just remove the valance. It can be put back on between tows. As Zach said, the tow bar mount bolts on at the front attachment point for the A arms. Remove the front A arm mount covers and put them somewhere safe so they can be put back on if you ever remove the tow bar. They will not fit back on with the tow bar mount bolted on. You will need slightly longer bolts to compensate for the thickness of the tow bar mount. I think in the short term you can probably reuse the current bolts for the sake of getting this done with the minimum of effort, but they are a bit short and in the long term it is best to use bolts with better purchase. It has been a while, but I'm pretty sure they were just long enough to get the mount attached.

Good luck. If I were anywhere in your area I'd be over there in a heartbeat to install it for you.

Thanks everyone! Q: Does anybody know off the top of their head what size the front suspension bolt heads are, and what thread size and pitch they are? Also the size of the valance bolts as well. I have to dig through (several) totes in storage to get my tools out and my spare metric hardware. I may some longer bolts to use. IIRC, I bought the last ones at Tractor Supply.

[914rrr]

Thanks for the clutch cable offers. They're pretty inexpensive and I have a local parts house that can have one here tomorrow.

[914rrr]

I may have a place nearby to work on it.

The facilities manager for the hotel group where I was staying was a team member of a 24 Hours Lemons car (64 Plymouth Valiant 4 door?). He offered some of his garage space for fixes " ... as long as I can help!"

Still working on the longer term storage.

[fiacra]

[/quote]
Thanks everyone! Q: Does anybody know off the top of their head what size the front suspension bolt heads are, and what thread size and pitch they are? Also the size of the valance bolts as well. I have to dig through (several) totes in storage to get my tools out and my spare metric hardware. I may some longer bolts to use. IIRC, I bought the last ones at Tractor Supply.
[/quote]


Two of the A frame mount bolts are 17mm and the third is an 8mm allen head. I was able to dig out the removed hardware and take some pictures of the rough length of the bolt and thread length. I don't know the pitch. You'll need a fairly long allen wrench as you have to get to it through an access hole in the cover. Hopefully the pictures will help.

Glad you have found some resources to work with there, including work space and a second pair of hands!