clutch question

dwoeste · 10-24-2012, 05:21 AM

I know there are lots of "averages" when it comes to clutch replacement, but I'm wondering if there is anything that gives me a better guide as to when a clutch needs replaced.

My '99 996 has about 52K on it and is used for daily city driving. Clutch was replaced at about 30K when I had the RMS replaced. All the service order said was worn clutch, with no specifics.

I do remember it feeling real light when I got the car back. I've read about stiffness being an indicator.

Any rules to go by rather than the mileage averages? And what would a new clutch and IMS replacement run these days?

tonythetarga · 10-24-2012, 10:37 AM

If you only have 22k on the clutch now you should not need one for quite some time. Depending on your driving you should get 65k or so from one. They wear more when new and wear slower as they get used. The way to know when it is worn is to measure it after dropping the tranny ;-) If you wear it down to the rivets you will hear that as well. Hopefully, when tye did the clutch they replaced the cheap plastic throw out bearing.
As far as question #2 goes, a new clutch, TOB and pressure plate is priced here on Pelican as is the LN IMS bearing. Expect somewhere in the range of 2K for parts and labor to install. The clutch has to come off to do the bearing and is no additional charge to put in a new one.

FYI, I just did the IMS on my Boxster. I thought I might need a clutch as well but when we measured, we had over 50% friction material left and the pressure plate was good, so I just put in a new TOB. Also did the AOS while we had good acess.

The bearing is an obvious concern to you. I had the same concern and just did it. The engine is more valuable to me than the clutch, even if I have to go in again in a couple years, I could not wait to give myself piece of mind.