Going to my shop for the clutch job - recommended rubber clutch?

[JD159]

So I'm taking the plunge. I have neither the time nor the space needed to tackle the clutch job so I'm taking it to my trusted shop. He works on a ton of high end cars but still drives a 944 turbo, and spends a lot of his time at the track working on 911's, so i'd like to think he's pretty good.

He recommended the classic rubber clutch due to vibration noise and the smoothness. He said that given typical use the rubber disc will last plenty long. I understand the "it WILL degrade", but if it takes at a min. of 15 years to degrade, that is plenty of time by my standards. I'd like to do a bit of autocross and a few track days.

Thoughts???

[v2rocket_aka944]

No.
Pretty certain they don't make the rubber center discs anymore - which means that anything you might find is "new old stock" and has already aged...

There really isn't any appreciable difference in NVH in a rubber clutch car vs spring clutch car, from my experience driving both types...

[mytrplseven]

I'm doing my third clutch conversion from rubber to new conventional style clutch and I've always used the Sachs package, i.e., disc, pressure plate and throw-out bearing w/shims. May also include new p/p bolts, T/B guide tube and, if it's leaking, a replacement rear main crankshaft seal (include new flywheel bolts).

[pdxfj]

As others have said go with the Sachs kit.

If you want to ensure a smooth clutch, have the flywheel and pressure plate balanced together. A local machine shop resurfaced my flywheel and balanced the PP to it for less than $100.

[88Silver924S]

Is there any other car make that uses a rubber-centered clutch? What were they thinking when they gave that the green light for production?

[jcommin]

Originally Posted by pdxfj

As others have said go with the Sachs kit.

If you want to ensure a smooth clutch, have the flywheel and pressure plate balanced together. A local machine shop resurfaced my flywheel and balanced the PP to it for less than $100.

+1 on the Sachs kit

[Jfrahm]

The rubber discs lasted a long time and at one point I had an S2 with the rubber clutch and one without, if the car was not to be autoX and tracked the rubber is generally much nicer.

I have an S2 disc near-new with the rubber center if anyone wants one. I have had it in storage for, um, 17 years? or so since I got it with an S2 motor I since sold. Also have the PP. I have the flywheel and bellhousing too although those are desirable for 968 motor swaps.

My notes say: "944S2 clutch, 8mm rubber center disc, PP looks new. Drive plate thickness spec: 8.1mm ±0.3mm Wear limit: 6.3mm"

Lots of cars still use dual mass flywheels which are similar but more robust.
-Joel.

[JD159]

Thanks for the info!

Does a sachs clutch kit contain everything needed for the job? What are some additional while your in there things to keep in mind that don't come with a kit?

I've got a ton of play in the shifter, so that is on the list.

[v2rocket_aka944]

re: linkage
Mini-project: tightening up shift linkage - Rennlist Discussion Forums

and then this vendor took my instructions and commercialized them into great products

Short Shifter - Only944.com
Shift Linkage Arm - Only944.com
Shifter - Only944.com

[pdxfj]

You'll need a rear main seal, pilot bearing, guide tube, shift fork bearings and might as well pick up a new shift fork rod since the one in there is likely toast.

The clutch kit will contain the disc, pressure plate and throw out bearing.

Originally Posted by JD159

Thanks for the info!

Does a sachs clutch kit contain everything needed for the job? What are some additional while your in there things to keep in mind that don't come with a kit?

I've got a ton of play in the shifter, so that is on the list.

[JD159]

Here is my to-do list:

Pressure Plate
Clutch Disc
Throw out bearings
Flywheel Bolts
Pilot Bearing
2 Release Lever Shaft Bearings
Slave Clutch Cylinder
Flywheel Seal
Throw-out Bearing Guide Tube
Clutch Master Cylinder
Clutch Fork Bearings and possibly clutch fork?
Rear Main Seal
Shift fork rod?

Speed and Reference Sensors?

What am I missing?

[thomasryan]

flex line from the clutch master to slave.
exhaust donut/gaskets and new nuts for the couplings.
party liquor for the celebration when the clutch pedal comes up.

[Fast Freddy 944]

Originally Posted by JD159

So I'm taking the plunge. I have neither the time nor the space needed to tackle the clutch job so I'm taking it to my trusted shop. He works on a ton of high end cars but still drives a 944 turbo, and spends a lot of his time at the track working on 911's, so i'd like to think he's pretty good.

He recommended the classic rubber clutch due to vibration noise and the smoothness. He said that given typical use the rubber disc will last plenty long. I understand the "it WILL degrade", but if it takes at a min. of 15 years to degrade, that is plenty of time by my standards. I'd like to do a bit of autocross and a few track days.

Thoughts???

Get the Sachs upgrade kit, the rubber puck sucks! I'm going to do it when mine takes a crap!

[sausagehacker]

I have a rubber centered disc sitting on my shelf that I just pulled out of my NA a month or two ago. It was bought new in 2006 by the PO when he did a clutch job. 90%+ material left and the rubber is in great health. Free fiddy to whoever wants it.

[wheelmotive]

@sausagehacker.....do you still have the rubber center disk available?

[walfreyydo]

Sachs kit, I installed last year - smooth as butter. I would not go with rubber centered... especially if you dont put on many miles each year. The rubber may deteriorate before the clutch does.

[Rasta Monsta]

Highly recommend Sachs PP and EPS disc from V E R T E X auto. Cheaper, and mo bettah (a rare combination).

[TheSecondChris]

Originally Posted by sausagehacker

I have a rubber centered disc sitting on my shelf that I just pulled out of my NA a month or two ago. It was bought new in 2006 by the PO when he did a clutch job. 90%+ material left and the rubber is in great health. Free fiddy to whoever wants it.

You say that the PO purchased the clutch disc new in 2006. If that's true, I wonder when it was manufactured. I can't imagine Porsche producing these after the late 80s. The disc removed from my 1984 has "84" on the clutch disc. Is there a date on your rubber centered disc?

[Racerbvd]

As others have said, rubber isn't the way to go, they won't last 15 years, I know that because they deteriorated 8n the 80s and the 944 didn't come out officially until 83( some 82s) and by 1986, Albert Broadfoot was buying spring loaded disks (a 911 part of a kit) to replace the rubber centered ones. Pretty sure he was one of the 1st doing that and had them listed in his ads in Excellence magazine back then.