KuHL 951

Does this look familiar? This the original clutch at 161K. Build date was 3/83. It has been nursed in "limp home" mode for over 7K miles. Says something about the thought Porsche put into the design. The disk face actually had quite a bit of material left. The car had 80% freeway miles. Still I'm glad to have the spring centered replacement.

Mr. Avionics

Pics look familiar. Been there, Done that!
Bill

Tom R.

When we replaced the clutch in my red S2 there was tons of meat left on the surface.

I guess the seller meant he changed the clutch cylinders. Oh well, my bro did get 80k out of that clutch since he bought it.

No I am having thoughts about why i didnt buy the 86 with 49k last year.

89magic98

I think driving style is a big factor in how long the hub lasts. Specifically, if you release the accelerator pedal very quickly with the car in a low gear, you can get the car to buck pretty easily. Or on the highway, if you don't keep the accelerator in a constant position, you can feel the rubber hub soaking up the on/off acceleration shock in the drivetrain.

RMills944

Something my shop told me was that when the rubber does start chunking, it leaves slack in the driveline and it is harder on the car that dumping the clutch every time you start. That is what sometimes takes the tranny with the clutch.

89magic98

RMills,

I'd believe that. I also think that the rubber center is designed to be the wear item - the deliberately weak point in the system, to soak up the "slack" in the driveline. I think that how many times you ask the disc to do that job per mile depends a lot on your driving style.

tomc_85.5_944

Looked just like mine, too, replaced last month. Looked to be the original, with over 135K. No telling how long it had been run with just the metal tabs preventing rotation...
FWIW, I JB Welded the port behind the O2 sensor, and it has been working great since.
(I really ought to buy a welder, but for $2, a little JB goes a long way.....)

chilix

has anyone thought about a solid center clutch? my daily driver 944 still has the rubber centered clutch, been replaced years ago though. i'm considering putting in a solid centered clutch in my 944 if it is class legal when i build my race car. any ideas about that?

if not, i'm going with the spring center since it is generally more durable as far as life goes. the race car 944 N/A i drive now on the race track has a spring centered clutch. it feels different, softer.

Tony K

The amount of heat cycling will also affect the life of the rubber.

Friendan

I think I'm going to have to deal with this soon. I hope not, but I'm knocking on wood.

Yabo

Doing this this winter, or at least before my car hits the road again, just gotta save up all that money!

arbeitm

Is there anyway to tell when the rubber center is going? I'm not sure when my clutch was last replaced by the P.O. The clutch disc wear is still good.

The last time I drove my car in heavy stop and go traffic for a few hours, 1st gear became very shuddery. I had to eventually start the car moving in 2nd to avoid it. What does that mean? Too much heat?

Tom R.

more than one person has that symptom. AndyK posted a thread on it in september. bottom line was it may be a symptom of a clutch getting ready to go, if you dont drive in heavy traffic every day, ignore it until you need a clutch.

AndyK

I wish I had a car lover that wanted to do my clutch for me!

How long did it take YOU Andrew?

Oh, and did Tom's brother sell his car to Scoot?

Scuba Steve

How about if it doesn't seem to engage where a newer clutch does. It drives fine otherwise, and I couldn't find any junk in the starter hole. Maybe there's an adjustment or something?