deep_uv

You should change the clutch when it doesn't work anymore unless you have a DMF failure. DMF failure is looming for you if it hasn't been done already. If you have a DMF failure, then you might as well do the clutch "while you're in there." My DMF failed at 40k miles and the clutch was changed at that point in conjunction with the DMF replacement.

Regards,

Steve

Devils_son

First clutch in my car was replaced at 50.000 miles. Now, the car has over 150.000 miles and still going strong.

Chris M.

The original owner of my car had the classic DMF failure at 33K and while he was having that replaced (under warranty) he went ahead and did the clutch too. I bought the car with 78K and I just replaced the clutch again at around 88K. The release point was high and the pedal was heavy but it never slipped. I replaced it because I didn't want it get to the point of slipping and risk damaging the flywheel. Once I got everything apart, I could see that the clutch disc was worn to the rivets on the pressure plate side but not on the flywheel side. Now the action is much lighter and the release point much closer to the floor.

Duck

With 84,000 miles, my clutch is fairly hard to press. In stop and go traffic, I feel like I am getting a work out. I am going to check about bleeding the system. However I am wondering what a ball park price would be for having the clutch replaced. I know that it will vary by who does it, however I was wondering if it $hundreds or $thousands.

Thank you for information.

Michael
1990 C4 Cab
2004 Saab 9-3 (the daily driver)

Rocket Rob

I just changed mine myself over the winter. The parts in a clutch kit are approx $800-1,000 depending on your vendor and what you replace. I replaced my clutch, pressure plate, slave cylinder, throw-out arm, updated throw-out arm shaft. I'm not sure what a shop would charge for labor.

If you do it yourself, just be careful with the "I might as well" items. Its very tempting to start fixing or replacing many other things while you have the car apart. I found a leaking oil line, some rusted tin, etc. I replaced the oil line but left the tin. I was afraid that if I started taking the tin off that I would head down the path of rebuilding the engine completely.

Chris M.

I think the general quote for a C4 is 10-12 hours shop time plus parts. Total bill would probably approach $2000 not including (as Rob alluded to) all the things they discover and try to talk you into fixing "while they're in there." Plugs, wires, valve adjustment, fixing an oil leak, PS pump belt...they'll find something.

Chimera

I expect that my bill will exceed $2,000. A very good Porsche mechanic at the dealer is doing the work.

Doc

Mike Murphy

You can burn up a clutch in 60 seconds or 250,000 miles. It all depends on how you drive. I just broke my rubber-centered clutch disc yesterday, in fact, at a Blackhawk DE. I think it might be the original clutch disc, but not sure. My car has 123,000 miles.

frankvan

Just talked to the PO a little while ago and asked him about the clutch. He said that he never had it replaced. So I'm thinking I probably still have the original in my car but then it's only got 230,000 on the odo

ddubois

I've been trying to understand how clutch release point has any relationship to clutch disc wear. It seems to me that on a hydraulic clutch the release point is only a function of how well the hydraulics are functioning and bled - air in the system or worn cylinders will cause the release point to move closer to the floor. As the disc wears the hydraulics auto-adjust.
The only possiblity I can see is that a new disc will be more compliant, or compressible, thereby moving the release point closer to the floor.
I'm debating changing my clutch this winter. I have 64k and don't know the history, although I suspect the clutch has been changed by a PO. My release point is high but the clutch does not slip, either at high RPM or low RPM load.

vernon

Hi my 89-c4 is at 91 thousand miles an it just keeps runing fine I did change the slave cylinder last month an at is much better.

Heirsh

mine was replaced at 60,000 with the updated dmf. I bought the car at 90,000 and it had signs of needing a clutch. I'm at 124,000 now and I still need a clutch.

/shrug

I'll get around to it at some pt.

newsboy

Previous owner changed 1990 C4 clutch at 43,000.

Stewart H

Had mine replaced this week at 53,000 km. It wasn't slipping but the change had become notchy and it was difficult to get into first at standstill when it was hot. The pedal also has a lighter feel now. The downside - Porsche revised the price of spare parts recently and the RS clutch was one thing that suffered with a 40% increase. They say that some parts have come down in price but I guess they will be the ones nobody buys.

911addict

Stewart, do you have the RS clutch & LW flywheel now? How are you finding it?
I like mine (RSR) but it is very stiff in traffic.