Thrust Plate/ Pressure Plate?

[Marcotto]

Hey Vee Dubbers

My GTI yesterday had a failure with the clutch. A family friend who builds race cars believes it might be a thrust plate/ pressure plate failure. As he is not familiar with VW at all does that sound right to you.

What happened yesterday driving to Nowra from Sydney as i arrived into Nowra from the engine bay i could hear a metal on metal sound but as soon as i put the clutch pedal in the sound disappeared until i released it again. I pulled over right away and turned the car off, i then waited for 5 minutes turn the car on and the sound was gone. Got to a roundabout the sound reappeared I then pushed the clutch pedal as i pulled over and it did not release. There is no clutch now at all

I do find it very hard to believe that a car with only 68000kms on the clock could have a worn clutch? and that the above opinion may be right?

If so is this a mechanical failure of the car?

Thanks

Marcotto

[Idle]

Well, it's obviously a mechanical failure — as to whether it's a failing of the car is often a moot point.

There are many causes for premature clutch failure, some are design faults, some material faults, some maintenance problems and many can be traced back to the driver's seat. Until it's pulled down, any opinion would be pure speculation.

If you still have connection between engine and wheels when in gear, the breakage will be in the release mechanism.

If the car can be moved when in gear and engine off, the fault is probably the clutch itself.

Either way, the fix won't be cheap...

[Buller_Scott]

i've got the same problem - rattly metallic vibration noise when the clutch has been let out, in idle, but it goes away when the clutch is depressed. additionally, cruising along the freeway / in gear, there are no issues.

also, a fair bit of noise and excessive vibration at the bite point.

not to hijack the thread, but it sounds like we've got the same, if not very similar issues.

does anyone know if a new clutch kit (e.g. pressure plate, flywheel, clutch etc) like you can get from ecs, will be enough to solve the issue? or are we starting to talk about other things as well?

when people say fix wont be cheap, im guessing $5k or thereabouts, including the cost of a $600 clutch kit from the states?

[kaanage]

Could it be the DMF? Or do those make MORE noise, if failing, when the clutch is depressed?

[Idle]

i've got the same problem - rattly metallic vibration noise when the clutch has been let out, in idle, but it goes away when the clutch is depressed. additionally, cruising along the freeway / in gear, there are no issues.

also, a fair bit of noise and excessive vibration at the bite point.

not to hijack the thread, but it sounds like we've got the same, if not very similar issues.

does anyone know if a new clutch kit (e.g. pressure plate, flywheel, clutch etc) like you can get from ecs, will be enough to solve the issue? or are we starting to talk about other things as well?

when people say fix wont be cheap, im guessing $5k or thereabouts, including the cost of a $600 clutch kit from the states?

That one is most likely the DMF (springs failing, perhaps — as they lose elasticity and shorten (or one or more breaks), they'll rattle), but it shouldn't greatly affect the clutch action unless there's a catastrophic failure.

If it were my car I'd be looking at the possibility of a solid flywheel — not as smooth-acting, perhaps, but nothing in it to break, either.

[Buller_Scott]

once again, not to be a thread hijacker, but thanks for your replies!

yeah, from what i've read, the DMF isnt going to do you any favors, especially if you've upped the torque via a tune etc.

single mass will likely be on the cards, but im thinking whilst im at it, why not go the whole kit n caboodle, as im thinking to replace the whole lot in one go, whatever the cost, will still be less than replacing parts in separate instances, as they fail over time (dmf, pressure plate, clutch etc)...

hmmmm. food for thought... cheers for the info though!

how are you getting on, marcotto - any progress / developments / further bad happenings?

[Marcotto]

So it turns out it was my slave cylinder that gave way and exploded wrecking my clutch, fly wheel, slave cylinder and housing. I am fortunate enough that this was covered by my VW extended warranty.

Big props to Nick at VW McGrath Sutherland who got the car 5pm Monday afternoon and called me before midday Tuesday to tell me what happened with the car and that he already has it approved for repairs by Allianz. Awesome service.

He told me they got some photos. I am going to try and get them and upload them for all of you to see.


Scott, dead set the same sound & issue I had. Get it checked out before it goes pear shaped.


Marcotto

[kaanage]

It's a slave cylinder
Glad you got it all sorted

[Marcotto]

It's a slave cylinder
Glad you got it all sorted

Opps

Cheers