993 Clutch ?

[Dave A]

What's the average miles/life expectancy, of a clutch? I have just hit 75k and it still feels fine.
(I dont do track days bit of an old doderer) It's a 1997 993 targa.

 

[Stewart Rix]

General wisdom and experience suggests a standard 993 clutch will not last much beyond 80k miles with careful driving.

 

[Dave A]

Thanks Chaps

 

[FLAT-SIXY]

Im having mine done at RPM in a couple of weeks, my car has covered 80,000 miles now, but im not sure if its had one in the past.

 

[Mark Elder]

Mine went at 30K miles (3k of my ownership) - but first 10K miles / 6 years were in central London the hands of one of those things that are supposed to make people feel it is safe to buy a second hand car (lady owner)[]

 

[John Maddox]

In my experience the bite point changes (as Maurice said) and the pedal action becomes heavier over time. Also judder when you when you take up in reverse can be a symptom of advance wear.

 

[Porker993]

I've seen a survey on this on Rennlist. Estimates range from 50,000 miles, to never. A lot of it is down to driving style. Some people certainly had their clutch replaced unnecessarily, because the mechanic was "in there". I think mine was replaced unnecessarily years ago, due to a pedal hanging problem which was actually a faulty master cylinder. Best to wait until you get actual physical symptoms, e.g. bite point moving, serious judder, slip etc as mentioned above.

I have seen some people say that with careful use, there is no reason why the 993 clutch would not last indefinitely. Mines at 60,000 miles now, and feels just like it did when it was fitted.

 

[Mark Elder]

Agree with all of above - but would add another factor - LACK of use! According to my indie my (30K mile replaced clutch referred to above) suffered from a bent "fork" (can't remember full name). Once bent this causes wear. It gets bent by the whole system getting stiff by not being used regularly. Another reason to get out and drive[]

 

[FLAT-SIXY]

I must admit I have not had the problem diagnosed by any garage, im just assuming my clutch is slipping at 4.000 rpm.
Its very annoying because when being driven is a civilised manner, its feels like a very good clutch still, with no judder's or bite point change.
Its only when being driven hard that it all become's clear.
Beside's driving in a civilised manner only account's for around half the jouney, right?[]

 

[Mark Elder]

I'm a bit surprised, with all the torque in a turbo, that it is waiting till 4000rpm if it is clutch slip. Normal test is floor the pedal at 2000rpm in a high gear - so maxing out the torque but at low car speed and watch the rev counter needle.

Your car is probably so fast from 4-6.7k rpm that it just looks like clutch slip![]

 

[FLAT-SIXY]

Cheers maurice and mark,
Ive released the clutch in high gears and the car is not slipping, but when driving hard at 4000rpm just as its reacing it's optimum, the needle over revs with no pull, defo not wheel spin maurice,[]. I am rather puzzled by it. There is still life in it, but its not 100%.
It does the same thing in any gear so I know its not a cog.
Im gona find out next week none the less because its not right anyhow.

 

[Porker993]

Sounds like the clutch has not been installed or adjusted correctly. Maybe something wrong with the hydraulics ? Let us know what you find !

 

[FLAT-SIXY]

Will do.

 

[FLAT-SIXY]

Sorry for the late reply,I had the clutch replaced last week at RPM in Cheddington beds. Very helpful lad's esspecially Ollie, who kept me up to date with that was required. The old clutch had defo had its money's worth and was well out,a new clutch fork was also needed plus I had the belts changed. I was told of slight wear to the flywheel, and was asked if the car judders when I pull off, which it does not. But Ollie said it wasnt going to fail soon. With all the above, some extras + labour,and if id had the flywheel replaced , it would still only have totaled up to around the price what the OPC quoted me for Clutch only. I will defo use RPM again.