Clutch replacement recommended by dealer but OMG on price!

[NH2013Jetta]

Just got my 2013 Jetta TDI sedan back from state inspection and my friendly VW dealer tells me my sticky clutch pedal is a sign of imminent clutch failure. Which they can fix for a reasonable cost of $3,945.92 ($&#!$). Really? My brother replaced his clutch in his 2003 Jetta GT Turbo in 2019 for $1,000 (at a local shop granted). Is mine that different?

I’m also not convinced the clutch is truly failing since there is no sign of slipping in high gear under acceleration. The brakes & clutch systems were ‘flushed’ by another dealer five months ago and then the pedal started acting up one month ago occasionally hanging up during gear changes. Recently even sticking to the floor in traffic (most annoying).

If I do have to change the clutch one repair shop has suggested I convert to a one piece flywheel. Sounds like a plan but some vendors mention problems with vibration. Frankly I have never loved this clutch since new always finding it ready to bite me in the buttocks when I least expect it. And I’m not a newby to driving a stick shift either (lots of miles in lots of different cars all with three pedals). Maybe it’s time for a change to something less complicated.

Advice welcome. Thanks!

 

[Shoveltrev]

your clutch failure is typically hydraulic exactly how yours is failing . its the slave dying. cant goo in there and replacethe slave and mot do the clutch and flywheel. and the single mass conversion is an absolut no go, it destroys the sychronizers . quick too

 

[Chef-CJ]

I think I initially got quoted $1,900 to replace the clutch and flywheel, but that was from a VW shop, not a dealership. $4k is a crazy price, you could almost replace the entire transmission and clutch and flywheel for that price

 

[NH2013Jetta]

Any guess on the survivor status of the stock flywheel? From what I have read they cannot be resurfaced only replaced. Parts all have to be ordered (of course) and I’m tempted to just do it if the price still stays well below the dealer quote. I’l know next week when the VW specialist I’ve contacted gets back to me.

I think I initially got quoted $1,900 to replace the clutch and flywheel, but that was from a VW shop, not a dealership. $4k is a crazy price, you could almost replace the entire transmission and clutch and flywheel for that price

Do you know if your quote is for single mass flywheel?

 

[CleverUserName]

I would expect about $1k for parts. New DMF, Clutch, slave all OE. You may be able to get LUK replacement parts for a little less.

It’s a days work to do the job. $2000 would be a good price. $4000 is crazy.

Some also do the rear main seal while it’s out. Also engine mounts should be replaced if any are failing. All TTY bolts need to be replaced as well.

 

[Chef-CJ]

Quote was for the dual mass. In the end I got the single, because I've seen loads about how quickly the dual wear out, and I was only around 116k when I had to get it all done. I've been driving a manual since 1990, and I can tell you there isn't really a noticable difference between the two. One will just last you longer. It basically feels like shifting did in either of the MK4 Jettas I've owned.

 

[Chef-CJ]

Also, did you look on the trusted mechanics post/page here for your area? That would be a great place to start to find a specialist that isn't going to rip you off

 

[ksing44]

My dealer also quoted $3900 for clutch, flywheel, pressure plate, and whatever else was needed to complete the repair for my 2010 MK6 Golf TDI. It was about half and half for parts vs labor. I was shocked! Like others have posted, I was thinking it might be about $2000.

But I went ahead with the dealer. My car was already at the dealer, I wasn't confident about using a different shop, and I wondered how much I'd really save considering work isn't cheap anywhere around where I live. The dealer has also been good to me over the years with free warranty work, e.g., new DPF and a new intake manifold with the dieselgate warranty. And VW gave me about $6500 to keep driving the car with the settlement so I'm not doing so bad after driving 198K miles with my car.

 

[Nuje]

In the end I got the single, because I've seen loads about how quickly the dual wear out,

Did you see the caution posted above by @Shoveltrev (emphasis added)?

and the single mass conversion is an absolute no go, it destroys the sychronizers . quick too

It maybe be true that about the SMF conversion in the older cars like the Mk3-4-earlyMk5 being more durable / less hassle.
On the newer cars, though (and granted I'm no expert with experience on them), just from having read many threads on the subject here, the synchros in the newer 02Q manual transmissions get beat up by the lack of dampening afforded by the DMF. So, while it's great that the SMF will last forever, the chances of your manual transmission being trashed within the next 40K miles just went way up.

 

[Chef-CJ]

I didn't see that, I've never heard that before

 

[Nuje]

e.g., https://forums.tdiclub.com/index.ph...er-dead-synchros-new-trans-new-clutch.514433/

Some good info in post #2 there.

The later 02Q 6MT with steel synchros are not compatible with SMFs. Your mechanics should also have aware of this as well.

There is a fluidamper for SMF retrofit. It’s $450 and helps with vibrations along with Redline super light shockproof gear oil. There is an upgraded performance Sachs SRE DMF and clutch that is stronger as well. They are available from the UK, darkside sells them. Another option are brass synchros which were available in the early 02Q transmissions.

 

[jetta 97]

I didn't see that, I've never heard that before

It has been reported many times , here one example :

 

[jetta 97]

Just got my 2013 Jetta TDI sedan back from state inspection and my friendly VW dealer tells me my sticky clutch pedal is a sign of imminent clutch failure. Which they can fix for a reasonable cost of $3,945.92 ($&#!$). Really? My brother replaced his clutch in his 2003 Jetta GT Turbo in 2019 for $1,000 (at a local shop granted). Is mine that different?

I’m also not convinced the clutch is truly failing since there is no sign of slipping in high gear under acceleration. The brakes & clutch systems were ‘flushed’ by another dealer five months ago and then the pedal started acting up one month ago occasionally hanging up during gear changes. Recently even sticking to the floor in traffic (most annoying).

If I do have to change the clutch one repair shop has suggested I convert to a one piece flywheel. Sounds like a plan but some vendors mention problems with vibration. Frankly I have never loved this clutch since new always finding it ready to bite me in the buttocks when I least expect it. And I’m not a newby to driving a stick shift either (lots of miles in lots of different cars all with three pedals). Maybe it’s time for a change to something less complicated.

Advice welcome. Thanks!

Price for Dealer is kind of normal , they go by list price not what you can find online. Parts are at dealer retail price around $2800 with Tax .
You will need DMF, clutch plate , clutch disk , salve cylinder ( parts of the release bearing ) , bolts , fluid . Labor is quite bit more then 5 speed Transmission I think 8 hr shop time . Mk6 , 6 speed clutch job is not cheap at all.
I would say any other shop will be $2700-$3000 with OEM parts .

 

[pkhoury]

I didn't see that, I've never heard that before

Oh yeah. SMF for the 02Q is bad bad bad. When I upgraded my clutch, I got a DMF setup from darkside to handle all the torque I'd throw at it. I think the synchros in the 02Q are steel, whereas they're brass in the 02J.

 

[IndigoBlueWagon]

You've got a great guru not too far from you, KMH motors in Methuen MA. An OE maker DMF clutch kit will cost you about $700, and I'm guessing labor will run you $1K-$1,500.

It's unfortunate that on the 6 speeds the slave cylinder is part of the throwout bearing. On older 02J transmissions it's on the outside of the case. And it doesn't seem to fail nearly as often as the internal one.