Clutch replacement firsts

LeeSmthsn

Active member
Joined
Feb 29, 2008
Location
Topton, NC
TDI
98 Jetta
Hello forum friends,

I have finally come to the point where I need to replace my clutch. I have never had a car long enough to do this and have no clue what it entails nor what parts I'll need to purchase. Life's struggles combined with my love/hate relationship with this car have left me with little energy to spend attempting to research this solution. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

1998 jetta tdi a3
212k miles
new timing belt @ 200k
replaced shifter tower @ 210k

also, yesterday my shifter tower sheared off a bolt, backed the other bolt about 2" out, and spewed tranny fluid everywhere. Very excited to extract said sheared bolt. I tightened down the remaining bolt and limped home.

yes, my clutch is worn out. There is a decent chance this one is stock. Does this mean a clutch kit will be my solution? plus flywheel? plus other names of things I don't understand yet?


thanks in advance

leesmthsn
 

LeeSmthsn

Active member
Joined
Feb 29, 2008
Location
Topton, NC
TDI
98 Jetta
also,

no plans add any power modifications to this tdi. Its my roadtrip / move across country vehicle. All the various levels of clutch (quiet, vr6, etc) have been quite confusing to me.
 

copakabata

Veteran Member
Joined
Mar 27, 2012
Location
Benton, PA
TDI
2002 Jetta 01M, 1999.5 Jetta 5 spd, 2000 VW Golf 4dr 5 spd
There are a lot of questions left open here.

First, how do you know the clutch is bad? Hard to shift, slips under load / heavy load, difficulty going into gear, etc.? If you are questioning what parts are needed for the project, how did you deduce the clutch is bad?

Next, how mechanically inclined are you? Did you change the timing belt mentioned above yourself? IMO, its about of the same difficulty as changing the timing belt (at least on a a4).

Next, what access do you have to a place to work on it / tools / etc.? Speaking from my experience (just changed one in my a4), you will need socket / ratchet sets, triple square set, torque wrench, engine hoist or hanger, transmission jack or equivalent for trans install / removal. Oh and beer. Need beer.

As for the clutch you need, I'm sure any of the vendors will steer you to the best choice. A quiet clutch is just that. Quiet. Its designed to not chatter / make noise. A vr6 clutch is designed for a vr6 car (they are interchangeable). Vr6's require a higher torque rating for the additional power. Suitable for light / medium modifications to a TDI.

In general this is the general procedure for changing a clutch (assuming you need it changed): detach everything attached to the transmission. Support engine / trans (one for each engine and trans) Remove mounts to car and engine. Slide transmission out. Remove clutch. Inspect flywheel for damage, replace or resurface if needed. Install new clutch. Reinstall transmission. Bolt everything back in. Drive.

I make it sound so easy. :cool::D

Along the way, you are removing / installing parts properly, torquing everything with new one time use bolts, etc.

Oh and beer. Need beer.

I'm by far not an expert, but this is just a general assessment. Unfortunately time spent reading is the best way to learn here.

Hope this helps.
 

LeeSmthsn

Active member
Joined
Feb 29, 2008
Location
Topton, NC
TDI
98 Jetta
Shifting and actually getting into gear is difficult. I've been shifting by matching RPM and desired gear for the past few months. I haven't noticed any slipping out of gear. Every time I let a friend borrow it, however, they have shifting problems that manifest by breaking the shifter tower or shifter tower bolts. I don't get it. I've also never replaced the clutch.

As per mechanical knowledge, I am a mountain bike mechanic of 6 years that is attempting to learn more about my car. I've dropped a tranny out of a few trucks, but thats been about it. Plenty of engine hoists, jack stands, and the such where I'm planning to perform the replacement (a shade-tree mechanic / friend of mine 's house). I've just never worked on a drivetrain so small or confined. Also, I did not perform my timing belt change. It was done by App. Diesel Works.

Plenty of beer. Plenty.

Thanks for all the pointers, y'all. If it weren't for this forum, I'd have gotten rid of this car years ago.
 
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