Working on a MK2 with a clutch that won't disengage

[fatmobile]

 A friend has a MK2 with an AAZ engine.
 The clutch is adjusted all the way and it still won't disengage the clutch.

 It wasn't anything behind the green end cap.
No broken parts there.
 I opened it up and there was a hole in the thrust plate.
 Thrust plate moved off center and the pushrod drilled a hole through it.

Never seen that before.
I'll take a pic and post it.

[ORCoaster]

I would ask him if he rides the clutch pedal with his left foot when cruising on the fly.  Seems like excessive wear to me.

[fatmobile]

I took the pic but didn't get it loaded.
 The hole isn't in the center, somehow the thrust plate moved over and the hole was next to the reenforced area in the center.
 But holding the clutch at a light instead of going into neutral is a bad plan, haven't heard of people who ride the clutch peddle.
 Would think that would mess up the throwout bearing too.
 I see people ride the brake all the time because that has a light.
 So I suppose folks could be resting their foot on the clutch too.

 Also this was one of the nastiest oily messy engines I've ever had to crawl under.
I forgot to tell him rule #2.
 Powerwash it before you expect me to work on it.

[ORCoaster]

So tell us, is Rule #1 that a six-pack of your favorite comes with the car before any work gets done under the hood?

[fatmobile]

Ha, no rule one is it better be registered and have plates on it.
 So the town doesn't declare me a nuisance.
2 is clean it
 3 is don't rush me. If you are in a hurry, take it somewhere else.
There is a nice little yellow pickup that needs a head gasket, at least, but he loves to drive it and will wait until winter when he doesn't drive it.
 So as not to rush me.
There is a 4 but I can't remember it. Been a while since I've worked on other people's cars.
 Might be pay about half up front.

[fatmobile]

OK here's the picture:
clutchdischole by vwfatmobile, on Flickr

I think the guy who installed it didn't take time to center the thrust plate.
Doesn't look like there was ever wear in the center of the reenforced area.
Like it started near the edge and got worse.
 I don't ever see it mentioned in the install instructions.
I usually run a bic pen or something around the space between it and the pressure plate.

[RabbitJockey]

The throw-out bearings in these transmissions usually live a long problem problem-free life since they are always sitting in gear oil.

Did you replace the bushing at the end of the transmission's input shaft?