How long does the average clutch ..

[RJ Gilliam]

How long does the avaerage clutch last? I am going tohave to get the engine dropped to repair some oil leaks that have been bothering me, while its down going to get the full service. I have 49k on my car and want to make sure I budget the cost of this added repair.

Best clutch? Cost?

Thanks in advance...

[pwd72s]

How long? Did you accept that rice car challenge? First time I did it, against a '56 Chevvy running a "slightly modified" 327? I bought a new 911 clutch. Felt lucky that I didn't lose CV joints as well. The price of glory (?) can be high.

[wdarner]

FWIW - I bought a used 78 911 in 1980 with 22K on the clock. I knew the clutch was weak and at around 30K I replaced it. I sold the car at 75K and the clutch was still fine. A local indy did the work. I don't even know what clutch type he installed. The point being they last an acceptable time if they are treated right.

[pwd72s]

Originally posted by wdarner
The point being they last an acceptable time if they are treated right. [/B]

Or...fry in a heartbeat if they are treated wrong...

[GSpreeman]

Mine went 218K before it was looked at. Treat it right and it'll go forever (or until you square off with a "modified" ricer).

[Joeaksa]

Rich,

Depends a lot on what type of driving a person does. Highway means that it will last a lot longer, while in town like you do means that it will not last half as long. How someone gets over 100k on a clutch is beyond me, unless its on a flatbed truck!

If its the stock unit in the car now I would put a new driven plate on it at a minimum. My stock unit lasted 70k and you are not that far from this point and the motor will be out. Not worth having to pull the motor out again in another 15k when you have it out now, considering the cost of a driven plate.

Joe

[JR911]

RJ,

At 100k (bought it at 99k) I dropped my eng/trans to fix a few things.

The clutch had a real bad chatter when starting out in 1st gear. I didn't expect the clutch to be this bad, but it was toast and the flywheel as well!!

I don't know for sure if this was the original clutch. I thought the original 86 911 had the rubber center disk.

Put on a new flywheel with a Sachs aluminum power clutch. Clutch use is so smooth now! No complaints.

Just don't wait this long!

[Amac]

Richard,
I seem to go through clutches about
every 3 years. Between the track and
a little street racing I put a lot of pressure
on clutches.
Sachs power clutch is a good one for
normal driving. $800.00
If your going to add mods. and drive hard,
try a centerforce dual friction. $1,200.00
I run a centerforce race clutch, works well
with sticky race tires. $1,700.00

[Rick Lee]

I replaced my original clutch at 82.5k miles. When we got it apart, the disc was fine. The problem was the infamous G50 needle bearings and release fork. I'm sure I had another 20k miles left in that disc. But there's no point in doing that job twice. Just replace everything when you have the engine out.

[fduvall]

Curious as to what, exactly, I can do to treat my clutch "right." I have a '90 C-2 Targa, that had the original Flywheel problem. Had it replaced at about 45K miles. At 75k miles, it is feeling like it is a bit worn. I have trouble taking it out of gear when in 1st or 2nd at about 30-40 mph, especially when engine is still cold.

I baby this car, and wonder if I need some type of adjustment or if there is something that I should be doing to maintain it. Thanks for your advice.

FDuvall

[Bill Verburg]

I still had my original clutch at 110k in my C3 only changed it from guilt when I did the first transplant. As was mentioned your experence my vary. But a lot depends on how you treat them, drag racing, speed shifting, sitting at a light w/ your foot on the clutch are all no nos. City driving especially in places like Pittsburg or San Francisco won't help either.

[CarreraS2]

Of course, it depends on use (would go a million miles if you never changed gears), and some are going to go a lot more, and some a lot less, but I'd bet the vast majority of 911 clutches in real life go between 50,000 and 70,000 miles.