[aigel]

I have a 2012 Jetta with the 2.5 and a 5 speed stick. About 115k miles on the original clutch. Just getting started teaching my second kid how to drive and drive a manual! With the first sessions of figuring out launching the car in first, we definitely did some clutch work the last couple nights! On my wife's commute home today, she shifted from 4-5 on the interstate and with a crunching sound lost the clutch. Lost as in it did not engage at all and the car is in 'neutral'.

My bet is a throwout bearing. Maybe things got a big crispy from all that practicing with the new driver. (It was't smelly or overly bad, but I am sure warmer in there than usual). I never lost a clutch like this, it always would start to slip and degrade slowly, so I am a bit puzzled.

What does the brain trust think on next steps? My inclination is to remove the transmission and assess the situation. Then order parts?

Thanks!

George