Clutch options and Advice
05-05-2002, 07:19 PM
#1
Burning Brakes
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Clutch options and Advice
What clutch options are there for a 85.5 944 na? spring vs rubber? What are the pros and cons of each?If I have to replace it what is the best ?What will last longest etc......
Clutches always seem to go at the worst time.Illpost this story on the BLF post.It will definitly qualify!
Clutches always seem to go at the worst time.Illpost this story on the BLF post.It will definitly qualify!
05-05-2002, 08:05 PM
#2
Three Wheelin'
I have a 1993 944 na. It has something over 200k. I replaced the clutch in 1992 with a stock rubber centered one. The car had about 140k at that time, and I assume that that was the original clutch, though the car had 69000 miles on it when I got it, so I couldn't swear to that. Since 1996, I have only raced the car, and have not used it on the street. It still works fine, and does not have that metalic clank that they get when the rubber center goes, so I am hoping to get more race miles out of it.
As you can see, I recommend the rubber centered, stock one. I have heard of problems with the spring centered one. The only problem with the one I have is the rubber center deteriorating. The plate face seems to last forever. My original one worked fine, the rubber center just fell apart, at what I think was 140k. I have seen the whole kit for the stock Sachs unit for under $400. I paid $250, but that was 10 years ago.
Bill
As you can see, I recommend the rubber centered, stock one. I have heard of problems with the spring centered one. The only problem with the one I have is the rubber center deteriorating. The plate face seems to last forever. My original one worked fine, the rubber center just fell apart, at what I think was 140k. I have seen the whole kit for the stock Sachs unit for under $400. I paid $250, but that was 10 years ago.
Bill
05-05-2002, 08:05 PM
#3
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There are both spring centered and rubber centered as well as "racing" clutches availble.
I replaced my rubber centered clutch with a spring centered as 99% of those with opinions favored it. I did not go with a "racing" clutch as someone (Danno I think???) stated that the stock clutch has more than enough tension to handle the power a NA engine produces. Some have claimed that the spring centered makes noticably more noise, I did not have this experience. I did replace the pilot bearing as well as the rear main seal when I was in there.
I replaced my rubber centered clutch with a spring centered as 99% of those with opinions favored it. I did not go with a "racing" clutch as someone (Danno I think???) stated that the stock clutch has more than enough tension to handle the power a NA engine produces. Some have claimed that the spring centered makes noticably more noise, I did not have this experience. I did replace the pilot bearing as well as the rear main seal when I was in there.
05-06-2002, 09:14 AM
#4
In the last 10 years I have owned a 951, 930 and 944na, and have had to replace the clutch on all 3 of them. (Why the heck do I like these cars?!!).
I purchased both the 930 and the 944na for cheap because both PO's thought the tranny or diff was bad. Both simply required clutch replacement because the rubber center had deteriorated and broken (the 930 only had 60k).
The 951's original spring-centered was replaced only because the throw-out fork cracked an arm.
I replaced ALL 3 with the Sachs spring-centered clutch with great results. The only difference I felt was a slightly less cushioning on engagement between shifts. No noise difference. A small price to pay for longevity.
Word to the wise,,, While you are in there, replace all parts, such as the pilot and fork-pivot bearings, guide tube, throw-out bearing and pressure plate bolts, along with the clutch plate and pressure plate, and check the flywheel surface. The cost of those parts is FAR less than the cost of labor to go in there again.
I purchased both the 930 and the 944na for cheap because both PO's thought the tranny or diff was bad. Both simply required clutch replacement because the rubber center had deteriorated and broken (the 930 only had 60k).
The 951's original spring-centered was replaced only because the throw-out fork cracked an arm.
I replaced ALL 3 with the Sachs spring-centered clutch with great results. The only difference I felt was a slightly less cushioning on engagement between shifts. No noise difference. A small price to pay for longevity.
Word to the wise,,, While you are in there, replace all parts, such as the pilot and fork-pivot bearings, guide tube, throw-out bearing and pressure plate bolts, along with the clutch plate and pressure plate, and check the flywheel surface. The cost of those parts is FAR less than the cost of labor to go in there again.
05-07-2002, 08:38 AM
#5
Burning Brakes
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Looks like all suppliers have a superseeded spring clutch only now.Is this true,if so it makes my decision easy!I was going with a spring type anyway!
Hope to have my car in the same State as me soon! <img src="graemlins/crying.gif" border="0" alt="[crying]" /> $$$$$$$$$$$
Hope to have my car in the same State as me soon!
<img src="graemlins/crying.gif" border="0" alt="[crying]" /> $$$$$$$$$$$
05-07-2002, 02:07 PM
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There are still some rubber center clutches around. While checking on that, I ran into a "Sport Version" of the Sachs rubber center clutch. Part # 944.116.012.95 - sells for ~$180 more than the standard rubber center model. Anyone have any expereince with this? I've never heard of it, but this might be the compromise disc of the future.
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