The Official Mk6 Golf DSG Clutch / Shudder / Squeal Issues Thread

[Syd118TSI]

Just had the 30k service done and the shudder in 2nd (but also sometimes in 1st) was mentioned. As a result they have ordered replacement parts from Germany and will advise when they arrive.

I'm guessing it was the clutch pack - it was picked up by the wife and she doesn't recall exactly what part they said. I'd imagine it should be noted on the service report.

[regu]

The mech told me that they do the mechatronic only if you have problems (ie surging, loss of power, hesitation, general weird shifting) AND if you actually request that some diagnostics are run as the replacement is a $$$ job.

[Ryan_R]

lol, just having a joke

[AdamD]

Yeah, although the 7spd seems to be fine with the 320nm torque of the Stage 1 Upgrade. Those common clutch shudder issues are completely unrelated

Just to clarify, I'm not insinuating that the torque load is necessarily a factor here. VW will torque-rate a gearbox with a ton of headroom to cover off mechanical abuse (thrashers, lack of servicing / oil changes if required) and gearbox life expectancy.

There are plenty of people pushing 550Nm+ through the 6 speed without problems. I wouldn't recommend that myself, but if you only want your gearbox to last a short time...

[Ryan_R]

Yeah, although the 7spd seems to be fine with the 320nm torque of the Stage 1 Upgrade. Those common clutch shudder issues are completely unrelated

[AdamD]

Yes, the 6spd DSG is still used in the performance petrol cars (GTI, R) and diesel cars (103TDI, GTD, etc). The 7spd is only in the lower-power petrol cars (<= 1.4L)

The 7-speed dry clutch is used in low-torque applications of typically 250Nm or less (its claimed maximum torque capacity). VW, Skoda, Audi etc fit that gearbox to 1.8 TSIs from memory.

(The 6 speed wet has a claimed max of 350Nm, hence why it's used in the performance kit and torquey diesels.)

[Bel]

I think they checked everything... They had the car long enough and for enough different visits but will check, thanks for the advice

[Brian]

1 - Prior to 2009, so called wet DSG, something of an oil-filled box
2 - The dreaded 2009 DSG with the Mechatronics that is failing en masse
3 - The same 2009 DSG but with a different mechatronics that is apparently 'perfect'

Be interesting to know when the option 3) came in. Mine is a 2009 with no problems (yet)
Had the 30K service done today and asked if they could test for any sign of clutch shudder (which I haven't experienced)
Needless to say they came back with "no fault found" but I have had it registered on my cars history for future benefit.

[Ryan_R]

Yes, the 6spd DSG is still used in the performance petrol cars (GTI, R) and diesel cars (103TDI, GTD, etc). The 7spd is only in the lower-power petrol cars (<= 1.4L)

[Corey_R]

The "wet clutch" DSG was the first one to come out in 2003, and still exists today - it's the 6 speed version.
The 7 speed DSG in the low-torque applications has always been dry-clutched.

You are correct in that there are revisions to the mechatronics along the way (very likely also revisions to the gearbox section itself).

[Stelex]

It seems to be a trend; you experience the shudder in 2nd, they update software. It looks good for a few days or weeks then shudder comes back and they replace the clutch pack. This gives you a few weeks of joy until you lose drive completely, needing the mechatronics replacement.

I noticed that ever since my clutch pack was replaced the shudder in 2nd was gone, but it appeared, ever so slightly, in the first gear. And the car became a little unpredictable. Most of the time it would take off and accelerate nicely, but every so often it would act a bit crazy, like, you take off in first, it goes smoothly into 2nd but then gets stuck up to 4000 rpm to go 3rd. Sometimes again it would take off in first and wouldn't switch to the 2nd until you reach high revs. 5 minutes later it would act as normal.

I read somewhere that the VW in USA has recalled the 2009 DSGs because of the fault that is also becoming so obvious here, but VW Aus doesn't want to know about it. I'll find the article.

I had a chat with the mechanic today and he said that there are 2, or rather 3 DSGs.

1 - Prior to 2009, so called wet DSG, something of an oil-filled box
2 - The dreaded 2009 DSG with the Mechatronics that is failing en masse
3 - The same 2009 DSG but with a different mechatronics that is apparently 'perfect'

When I took my Golf to have the clutch pack replaced they gave me a loan car, a brand new Jetta. I can't tell you how beautifully that car drove, the DSG was as smooth as it possibly could be. It was sooo noticeable I was driving up and down Brisbane for almost an hour.

The guy today explained that Jetta has the new type mechatronics,the one I'll be getting.

[rockDAhouse]

my clutch pack and water pump will be replaced after new year. dealer are ordering the parts now. should have ask them to check the mechatronic.

[regu]

Hi Bel,

Good news for you. Have them to check the Mechatronic as well. I had the clutch packs replaced as well and now I have to go back and do the Mechatronic as well...

[Bel]

So much back and forwards has paid off... new clutch pack being ordered and they will also try to re-resolve my 'squeak' too... Guessing it will be in the new year.

[rockDAhouse]

feel for you Stelex, hope you can get this sorted asap