84, 3.2 - life expectancy of the clutch

Looking for some feedback on how many miles I can get out of the stock clutch of my 1984 3.2 911. I know it depends on many things such as driving habits and abuse. But, I have 70,000 on it now and I am taking a cross country trip in May. Just slightly worried about this area. Any thoughts?

Dave

With only 70k miles, you don't have much to worry about most likely.
Make sure it's properly adjusted though before you set out, and keep a clutch cable handy if you feel better (it can be changed roadside in an hour or so, and that includes all the screwing around trying to cram your body in the footwell).

It's actually more likely you'll have tranny problems in the coming 30-50k miles, and when your 915 tranny goes into the can, you'll do what most of us 3.2ers do, you'll change your clutch when you have the tranny rebuilt!


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Kurt B
1984 911 Carrera Cabriolet
75 914 1.8

Dave,

Without knowing how much work you do on the car, and how much attention has been paid to the transaxle in the way of gear oil changes, shift bushings, CV-joints ... I think you are pushing your luck if you choose to do nothing between now and May. 70K is close to the life expectancy for a carefully driven car's clutch, and 80-90K miles is about the max you could expect under the best of circumstances!



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Warren Hall
1973 911S Targa

Okay: Whenever MY answer is different from Early_S_Man's answer, always choose Early_S_Man's answer.
So you'd better get on that clutch by May.


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Kurt B
1984 911 Carrera Cabriolet
75 914 1.8

Thanks for the advice. I would have to say judging by the previous owner nothing was done by him. I bought the car with 57K on it. He had it for about 5K before that. No records available (Holbert's Porsche Dealership changed there database records 2 days before I bought the car. No electronic records kept) so they told me. I have only done brakes, tires, and engine work so far, nothing with the transmission.

Warren, what would be the short list of drive train repairs in your mind?

Sounds like I should go through the appropriate repairs before the trip.

As always, guys thanks for your help!

Dave

Of course, it's not good for the clutch, but the high-gear, handbrake-on, engine kill method is good for testing clutches. I'm not gonna disagree with Warren, but I expect clutches to perhaps last longer. Another P mechanic agrees with Warren though as he said roughly every 80k or so. The clutch in my VW Rabbit was original when I sold it at over 300k miles! Believe it or not.

At any rate, I think Warren is correctly suggesting a thorough maintenance routine and careful inspection between now and May can prepare your in terms of fluids and adjustments, and you can identify any components that might give trouble.

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'83 SC

Thanks for the comments! I knew there would be variuos view points and opinions. I will start a plan to change fluids and take a better look around. My hesitation on replacing the clutch at this time is that I will get carried away with additional work. Once I have the motor pulled... I would have to guess I would go nuts with additional preventive maintanance as well as modified exhaust. But, I also don't want to spend three days at a dealership on my vacation.

Dave