G50: actual recall?

[jlex]

I've been reading various posts regarding the upgrade on the clutch cross shaft (needle bearing to bushing) and see references to "clutch recall". Was there an actual Porsche recall for the cross shafts or the clutch on the G50 cars? Thanks.

[gamin]

Don't think so. Doesn't come up on google. Just one of those things you do when the trans is out. Did mine when the engine was out for top end. Been 5 years with no problems. I didn't do the factory fix.

[jlex]

Thanks. I guess these posters are using the term "recall" loosely...

[db_cooper]

I don't think there was a "recall"..Porsche was very good at service bulletins with updates and modifications to be done when the Porsche was being serviced. There were a lot of service bulletins for the then new G50 (and the 915) back in the day.

I do remember a SB concerning the rubber clutch disc..updated part..911s blew out the rubber damper in the disc when still under warranty..and I think there was one for the cross shaft..probably an updated part number.

Maybe someone has an archive of old service bulletins..

[gamin]

There is also an updated guide tube for the G50. Not a bad idea to replace the rubber center clutch disc with a spring center disc while in there.

[jlex]

Thank you.
Trying to line up some info. on the G50 as it looks like I'll be getting my sister's '88 coupe (1 owner 33,000 mi.) coupe in the Spring.
Will be a change from the 915 on my '85. Someone will be getting a nice car when I cut mine loose.

[KTL]

No official recall. Just a revised design to address needle bearings drying up and seizing.





The thread below is a pretty good one in that we had some lengthy discussions about the shaft update and comparing it to the aftermarket shaft update.

G50 Cross-shaft Update

The 911 cars from '89-up thru the 993 to 1998 use the revised design with bearing cups. Also the 996 and 997 GT3 transmissions (only the GT3, not the regular Carreras) use the updated G50 shaft design.

The revised release bearing and guide tube was also a tech bulletin, not an actual recall.



Given that the failure of these parts doesn't present much of a safety issue, that's probably why a formal recall wasn't issued? Just a wild guess on my part.

BTW those bulletin numbers (#3 for the release bearing and guide tube, #4 for the cross shaft) are not the original bulletins. They are republished in the 1974-1989 Parts & Technical Reference Manual from December 1995 that Porsche produced for consumers. It's part number PNA 000 147 but pretty sure its no longer available thru Porsche

[chrisbruck]

I just had this done while the top end was being redone this summer. Mine was original and never had the update which totally surprised the shop. 160k on it and they showed me cross shaft and it was mangled. Seemed to work fine though. It works REALLY smooth now though.

[john walker's workshop]

the boring out of the cross-shaft bosses is not done anymore because you can buy a cross-shaft and a new release fork with bushings. the guide tube is necessary because the new t/o bearing has a plastic liner that won't go over the older, larger guide tube.

[jlex]

Thanks much, guys; especially Kevin for taking the time to post the bulletins.
Don't know how the clutch will be acting with only 33K miles on it, but will now surely be pointed in the right direction if it starts acting up on me.
JW: was wondering why the guide tube had to be switched out; now I know. Thanks.

[wrxnofx]

Originally Posted by KTL

The revised release bearing and guide tube was also a tech bulletin, not an actual recall.



Given that the failure of these parts doesn't present much of a safety issue, that's probably why a formal recall wasn't issued? Just a wild guess on my part.

BTW those bulletin numbers (#3 for the release bearing and guide tube, #4 for the cross shaft) are not the original bulletins. They are republished in the 1974-1989 Parts & Technical Reference Manual from December 1995 that Porsche produced for consumers. It's part number PNA 000 147 but pretty sure its no longer available thru Porsche

This is interesting. I see this bulletin says to use NO LUBRICATION between the inner release bearing and the guide tube.

I assume this supersedes the original TSB here that shows adding Olista Longtime 3 EP great to the guide tube along with the other areas:

[KTL]

It doesn’t require lubrication because the release bearing has a plastic (polyamide = possibly nylon) liner that doesn’t need grease to allow for smooth movement across the guide tube