87 911 clutch cross shaft update

[kepperly]

has anyone done this thereself. and is there a way to tell if it has already been done from an external visual inspection. has anyone had a failure of the cross shaft bearings? and what are the symtoms before
it finally does, and what does it do after it has failed?

[movin]

I recall something like a heavy clutch pedal effort accompanied by occassional binding; the needle bearings size-up. Automotion/Performance Products have a drop-in, no machining replacement.

[kepperly]

did you do it yourself? and i wonder if the
drop in kit is as good as the porsche recommended procedure. any other thoughts out there?

[Mrdi]

Do a BB search on "G50 clutch" for more info on this topic.The 87 was the first year for that trans.The factory update was done in late 88-89. I would imagine that if you have over 60k that the update was done when the first clutch was replaced. Do you have records to access or a PO you could contact?

[KTL]

I'd guess your car has the original shaft setup since the update was not factory installed until April 89. It's kinda hard to tell by visual inspection while the motor/trans. is in the car. The inspection hole in the trans. bellhousing is hard to see into, as it is on the upper left side of the bell. If you have the drivetrain out, you can tell if the cross shaft has been updated without separating the motor and trans. (you MUST remove the shaft in order to separate the engine and trans). If you remove the M6 bolt which holds the cross shaft retaining tab in place, you should be able remove the tab and see a plastic cap. If you can't remove the tab, then you have the original shaft which should have the tab welded onto the cross shaft itself and no plastic cap below the tab.
The 911 Parts and Technical Reference Catalog for 74-89 models (Dec. 1995) has a tech. bulletin #4 which details the update procedure. Over the winter, I installed the updated cross shaft, new needle bearings and all the necessary hardware along with the required updated release fork, clutch release bearing, pressure plate, flywheel and a 75-77 930 turbo clutch disc.

A sign that you might need to update the shaft is an increase in pedal effort. But, that situation could also be a failing release bearing. The only symptom my car had (63K mi.) was a clunking sound just as the pedal was fully released. I assume that was the slave cylinder rod sticking in the release fork.

If you go the Performance Products route, remember you have to update the release fork as well. I think the cost was only a little more for me to do the factory update and I feel better with OEM stuff. But I did the work myself other than the machining of the trans. The Porsche part #000 721 929 20 cutter kit is NLA so I had to carry my trans. (with the new shaft and bearings to test fit) into the dealer (Napleton Porsche- Westmont, IL) and have them do it for me. Nice guys by the way. Cost me $200 to have the trans. cut and install a new input shaft seal.

Just my $.02


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Kevin
87 Carrera coupe