clutch lifespan with regular driving
#16
67K and OK
My '99 is at 67K w/original clutch. I was experiencing some shudder at take off when cold. Then I had the system flushed & filled, and the shudder seems to have gone away.
I'm thinking next year I'll have the clutch replaced along with RMS/IMS/AOS/water pump as I'm in this for the long pull.
relinuca
I'm thinking next year I'll have the clutch replaced along with RMS/IMS/AOS/water pump as I'm in this for the long pull.
relinuca
#17
Rennlist Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Ormond Beach, FL
Posts: 5,902
Likes: 0
Received 1,158 Likes
on
742 Posts
All depends on the driver and in what conditions the car is racking up miles, i.e., city driving with lots of shifting or highway miles where you are just cruising. I have a 99 C2 w/121,000 miles on original clutch, no slippage or any problems...about 60% highway miles and 40% city driving. My shifts are clean and no start from stop drag racing so I'm pretty easy on the clutch. Since I'm the only driver/owner and DIY garage mechanic for everything (and I love the car), it does get babied in the garage, but driven normally as a daily driver.
#18
Racer
Bought my 2000 996 used in April 2011 with 20K miles on the clock. When I had the IMS/RMS upgraded, the shop informed me the clutch was 99% spent.... at 40K miles! Original owner never drove it and when did, must have slipped it all the time.
#19
'01 C2 Cab purchased new.
60k miles and lots of life left on the clutch. It was inspected this spring when the IMS upgrade was performed. Virtually no city driving, 12k plus DE miles, balance highway or rural roads.
60k miles and lots of life left on the clutch. It was inspected this spring when the IMS upgrade was performed. Virtually no city driving, 12k plus DE miles, balance highway or rural roads.
#20
Intermediate
The lifespan of the 996 clutch doesn't seem to be one of its selling points.
Yes, I realize clutch life is dependent on how it is used (had a high-school buddy who used the clutch in his parents car as a speed control-- you can imagine how long that lasted), but the majority of mileage figures I've seen fall between 60 & 80K, and that seems rather short-lived especially within a community of what I would assume to conscientious owners/drivers.
Hell, I got 275K out of an Audi 4KQ clutch with double-clutch/H-&-T driving habits, & I would imagine most everyone here drives that way.
Yes, I realize clutch life is dependent on how it is used (had a high-school buddy who used the clutch in his parents car as a speed control-- you can imagine how long that lasted), but the majority of mileage figures I've seen fall between 60 & 80K, and that seems rather short-lived especially within a community of what I would assume to conscientious owners/drivers.
Hell, I got 275K out of an Audi 4KQ clutch with double-clutch/H-&-T driving habits, & I would imagine most everyone here drives that way.
#21
Race Director
My '99 needed a new motor at 45K miles so I bought a new disc, PP and T/O brng. for the dealer to install. I measured the friction material of the original disc and it was about 60% good. I installed the new stuff anyway and think I could have easily made over 100K miles.
Another way to put it in my case the clutch lasted over twice as long as the motor. Motor failed due to intermix, cracked cylinder. Lucky to get it goodwilled in its 7th year, 3 years after warranty expired and being the second owner. It was a bit of work though.
Another way to put it in my case the clutch lasted over twice as long as the motor. Motor failed due to intermix, cracked cylinder. Lucky to get it goodwilled in its 7th year, 3 years after warranty expired and being the second owner. It was a bit of work though.
Also, my info is if the clutch wears enough that the rivets contact the pressure plate/flywheel the clutch doesn't slip but becomes grabby upon take off from a stop.
There is a risk that as this condition is allowed to continue one of the rivets could come apart and the debris result in more serious problems that could need immediate attention.
The rivets will wear a circular depression in the flywheel (and the pressure plate) but the techs I've talked too tell me as long as the flywheel is still in good condition (among other things this means the dual mass feature still works right) the FW can be resurfaced and reused with no issues.
The worn pressure plate gets replaced of course.
#23
Rat Balls
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Scottsdale AZ, USA
Posts: 3,636
Likes: 0
Received 13 Likes
on
13 Posts
Getting ready to turn 60K and I am just starting to notice higher RPM's coupled with slower acceleration. Looks like Santa will be bringing me a new clutch for Christmas.
#24
109k on the 986, original clutch (wife has a light foot), 67k on the 911 (99 C2 original clutch). The 996 is slipping a bit but I do beat the living hell out of it on a daily basis. Sooooo all you guys saying 60k, go smack your mechanics, 'cus you been lied to.
#25
Captain Obvious
Super User
Super User
My info is clutch disc wear is not linear. In your car's case the 60% thickness remaining didn't mean there was 112 K miles left. Likely there was much more than 112K miles of life left in the clutch.
Also, my info is if the clutch wears enough that the rivets contact the pressure plate/flywheel the clutch doesn't slip but becomes grabby upon take off from a stop.
There is a risk that as this condition is allowed to continue one of the rivets could come apart and the debris result in more serious problems that could need immediate attention.
The rivets will wear a circular depression in the flywheel (and the pressure plate) but the techs I've talked too tell me as long as the flywheel is still in good condition (among other things this means the dual mass feature still works right) the FW can be resurfaced and reused with no issues.
The worn pressure plate gets replaced of course.
Also, my info is if the clutch wears enough that the rivets contact the pressure plate/flywheel the clutch doesn't slip but becomes grabby upon take off from a stop.
There is a risk that as this condition is allowed to continue one of the rivets could come apart and the debris result in more serious problems that could need immediate attention.
The rivets will wear a circular depression in the flywheel (and the pressure plate) but the techs I've talked too tell me as long as the flywheel is still in good condition (among other things this means the dual mass feature still works right) the FW can be resurfaced and reused with no issues.
The worn pressure plate gets replaced of course.
#28
Drifting
Did you measure the total thickness of the disk or the distance between the top of the rivets and the top of the disk? Unlike brake pads, the clutch disk can't wear down to the metal centre plate. The rivet heads will fist contact the flywheel and pressure plate and at that point, the clutch will start slipping more and more.
#29
Captain Obvious
Super User
Super User