rubber centered clutch, or spring centered

[superheady]

Well after reading several messages on the board i'm pretty sure my clutch is what is causeing the vibration at about 3000 rpm... so I was wondering if the spring centered disk will work in my 944 NA? instead of the rubber centered disc it was designed for. thanks for the help all

[Bob's944]

You can use a spring centered one, it's the same one from 83-89.

[Mrmerlin]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by superheady:
Hi Bro, hey get a Turbo spring disc, this is a lil stronger, the primary reason for the rubber disc is to dampen vibrations from the drive line, however this unit is prone to failure as the rubber will break apart over a period of 8 to 10 years or so.
Stan

[AFJuvat]

Go with a spring centered one, they last longer, and are much more reliable.

It may take you a day or two to get used to how the clutch "feels" with a spring center as it seems to have more "grip".

AFJuvat

[T86951]

I wouldn't use a turbo clutch in a NA 944. I have both cars and the turbo clutch is larger and has a lot more pressure that you don't need. Most of the porsche suppliers have a regular 944 clutch that is spring or rubber centered. I have a NA 944 with 205,000 miles. I replaced the rubber centered disk at 77,000 miles with another rubber centered one, that was 8 years ago and it is fine right now and very smooth to drive. I don't try to burn rubber though and don't abuse my clutch. Actually a 3000 rpm vibration is not a sign of a wore out clutch. Sounds to me like a bad tire or a warped rim or bent axle or bad torque tube. Do you have any jerking or chatter when letting the clutch out or when shifting gears? That is usually a clutch problem. I would hate to see you do an expensive clutch job and it not cure the problem. I have had a clutch go out so I am familiar with what happens and how it acts.

[Rollins]

it's not really a turbo clutch, it's just the same format (spring centered). I personally did go with a spring centered and I liked it a lot more than the rubber. Like the guys said, more grip and tighter.

[car911]

Having gone through this, I don't think there it really matters unless you have a specific reason (racing, etc).

From what I have heard, the original rubber disc will last 80-100K miles and/or 15 years or so whichever comes first unless abused. I had exactly this experience.

I suspect the spring disc is at least the same, possibly last a bit longer. It probably won't deteriorate with time/heat, like rubber might however.

But a new clutch every 100K miles or 15 years is not bad anyways, especially for a performance car. By the time for the next clutch job, you will have a 200K+ car!!! In terms of clutch/mile, this is still a great deal. And chances are you will do much, much better.

My only other comment is that most replacement clutch discs are spring-centered anyways (and the rubber ones I have seen are more expensive).

[drew1]

Disk from 924 turbo is a spring centered one that will fit.

drew1

[Penz944]

I agree with T86951, it is probably not your clutch. After I installed my new spring centered clutch my car still had a slight vibration at 3000.


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My old 944, now it belongs to "tifosiman."
My 944 page

[cduke]

One way to see if the rubber puck on the clutch is gone is to remove the rubber plug in the transmission bellhousing and see if there's any play in the driveshaft (in neutral). Mine had the shreaded rubber and rotated about 90 degrees. Just a thought
Charlie

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1985.5 944 N/A

[fty]

Allways go spring...-chris

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"Faster,Than,You"
"Wish I had a 951....."
"Ive tried so hard and got so far but in the end it doesnt even matter"
http://hometown.aol.com/fty9999/944land/944land.htm

[superheady]

Originally posted by T86951:
Do you have any jerking or chatter when letting the clutch out or when shifting gears? .

As for that part of your reply yes, it does jerk and chatter when shifting gears... say it's in second gear, and I let off the gas i'll immediately feel the transmission jerk back and forth until it finally settles into the gear and then i can hear a slight grinding noise from the transmission. So i'm thinking that the rubber disc just completely disintegrated and the clutch plate is just bouncing around in there.

I also think that i'm going to go with the spring centered clutch, mostly because i'm going to be doing some engine work, and I want the clutch to be able to handle the added hp/torque.

[T86951]

The following that you said does sound exactly like the rubber center section of your clutch disk is ripped apart! Your presuur plate may be fine but sounds like you need for sure a disc and put in a throw out bearing for sure.
"it does jerk and chatter when shifting gears... say it's in second gear, and I let off the gas i'll immediately feel the transmission jerk back and forth until it finally settles into the gear"

[Z-man]

If you're going to replace your clutch with a spring-centering hub, here's 2 things to keep in mind:
1. The 944T's clutch is different and won't fit into a 944 na's transaxle. They do make spring-centered clutches for the n/a, so you can get one for your car.
2. If you are racing (autox, club race..etc), the spring centered clutch hub will probably bump you into a higher category (like SCCA, from C-stock to C-Street Prepared). If you're an avid racer and have no other mods, you will be at a disadvantage.

The PO of my car replaced the clutch last year with a rubber-centered hub unit. I don't think I have to worry about it for quite some time....

Just my $0.42.
-Z.

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PCA NNJR
My Toy:


[This message has been edited by Z-man (edited 11-04-2001).]