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

[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.

[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).

[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)

[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.

[Bel]

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

[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.)

[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]

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]

lol, just having a joke

[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.

[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.

[rockDAhouse]

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.

Hi Syd118TSI, you should be able to see what they going to order in the report they gave you after service, if not i take a picture of mine and post it here.

[Syd118TSI]

Hi Syd118TSI, you should be able to see what they going to order in the report they gave you after service, if not i take a picture of mine and post it here.

It was only picked up this morning so I haven't seen the report as yet.

---------- Post added 23-12-2011 at 09:02 AM ---------- Previous post was 22-12-2011 at 05:58 PM ----------

It says that a clutch has been ordered from Germany.

[Stelex]

Heard from the dealer today, they had to order the Megatronic thing from Germany, it will take about 10 working days. That looks likely to run into my holiday so I am royally screwed.

Got the car back today, lucky - I guess.

Just spoke to the fleet to get a payout quote to end my lease and sell the piece of junk.

2 years old 118TSI DSG, Comfort-line, had everything replaced, from engine, air-cond, clutch pack, mechatronics ... a perfect car now.

$28k - anybody?

---------- Post added at 03:43 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:40 PM ----------

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.

I've got my car back today. It drives exactly the same as it did before the mechatronics replacement, nowhere as close to the Jetta I mentioned above. Meh!

['fatboy']

I've just dropped my car off at the dealers to take look at the gearbox (DSG) specifically. I have 3 niggles / compliants which I hope they look into. I believe in one form or another, they have been mentioned on this thread.

1. 2nd shudder (not always but enough to be annoying)
2. 3 gear bag of bolts (this is what I'm calling it. When the car automatically downshifts into 3rd, i sometimes get a grinding (think nuts and bolts in a glass jar noise) noise - this cannot be good right?
3. Failure to consistently kickdown (if I'm in 4th at say 50kmh, i floor it till i hit the button in the firewall, nothing happens other than it just speeds up in 4th - no downshift whatsoever. This has caught me out too many times and now a real safety issue).