Hello 911 fans! I hope you can help me with an issue I have -

After owning & enjoying my 1994 964 for just over a year, the time has come for some much needed technical advice.

I have been informed by a 911 enthusiast that it “feels” like the clutch is failing. It is not slipping like the clutch on my old Mondeo did before it expired, but the only problem I can detect is a creaking when I press the clutch pedal. It is quite heavy nonetheless, but has been like this since I bought the car.

Anyway, it looks like I will have to get the clutch changed; but I am keen to up rate it because I would like to get involved with track days and competitions. What are my options? I do not have the expertise or the knowledge to do this myself, but I want to know what I should be considering.

Also I would like to know how reliable clutches are. My car has 72,000 miles on the clock: surely it cannot be due already?

Any ideas?

Thanks. Dave

 

The clutch certainly shouldn't creak - and noises from the clutch are often caused by a bearing (make sure it's not the pedal assembly!).

Heavy clutch does mean it's getting old - but if you can live with it, that doesn't necessarily mean it has to be replaced. Mine has been heavy since I bought the car 45k miles ago.

I don't believe you need a heavy duty clutch for trackdays. Many people do this on the original clutch. Some people fit Light Weight Flywheels (LWF) when they change the clutch to make it rev a bit quicker.

Clutch life depends entirely on how the car has been driven. It's entirely possible it needs a clutch after that many miles - and if previous owners slipped the clutch a lot, it may well have already had a couple of clutches.

 

Where are your required introduction car pictures??? Welcome to the fray

 

Judging by what I have heard in the last 4-5 years, a clutch can last anything from 25K to 100+K (although the higher figure is rareer) and it obviously is dependent on how you drive. I would consider 50K miles on a clutch reasonable wear. I have feeling though that mine is going to last a lot less than that but time will tell.....

 

Depends on where the "creaking" is coming from.
Has the system been bled?

 

I agree with what Christer says - I can't see mine lasting 100K miles! Mine is on it's 3rd clutch at 127,000km. If you plan on doing a lot of track days, then you should investigate the RS Clutch and a lighter flywheel. Some people do experience some stalling issues with this set up though, but normally only when the engine is cold. Also, he clutch life may be shorter as it's easier to over rev when you're pulling away from a standing start! However, I don't regret for one second for fitting an RS clutch kit & LWF (Light Weight Flywheel) to my C2!

If you decide to stick with the stock clutch, you should probably consider having a new flywheel fitted at the same time. Your car will have the more reliable LUK flywheel already fitted, but they still fail, albeit rarely.

If your clutch is creaking, I'd look at the throw out bearing on the clutch mechanism. Also a build up of worn clutch dust can make them creak a bit!

Welcome to Rennlist!

 

does it squeak - can be peddle bushes

 

Thanks a million for replys guys! I am getting more knowledgeable all the time!

What's this about my car having a "reliable" LUK flywheel: is there an unreliable type??

D

 

I'm not going to attempt to spell it properly - but the early cars had Freudenburg (or something like that). Have a reputation for disintegrating - although some seemed OK. LUKs are the relacement - much more reliable. Note that early cars doesn't mean 89 model year since they were SMF (Single Mass Flywheel)

 

Ah, it starts to become clear. I assume my 1994 car has the LUK flywheel. How can you tell if the dual mass is knackered?

Also, how do they work. I had heard the early ones were filled with silicon and later ones with rubber! Is that true???

Dave

 

Dave,
is the creaking sound coming from the clutch or the footwell?
If the sound is coming from the clutch area than try to lube the release fork receiving cup with Optimoly NP before you replace anything. If the cup goes dry the clutch slave cylinder plunger will start squeaking everytime you push the pedal to the floor.

 

Dave, where are you? I don't think I have seen any 964's registered in 1994 before...?