Highest mileage on Original MK4 clutch

[Cates]

Hello, Been searching this forum for years and it has helped numerous times.
Couldn't find my previous account on here so I just rejoined.
I have always been curious about who might have the highest mileage on their original VW clutch.
I have 240k miles on my 02 Golf and the pedal engagement still seems great.
I probably just jinxed it.

 

[Andyinchville1]

HI,

I'll have to double check my records but my original clutch went about 399K miles before giving up the ghost (It still had a good amount of clutch material left BUT the spring was going away (rattling) and the throwout bearing made was making some noise too).

I mostly drive highway.

Andrew

 

[mittzlepick]

Mine went to 317 before engine went, original pump as well

 

[03TDICommuter]

FWIW, I changed mine at around 240K miles as it was slipping after a stage 1. Plenty of meat left on the disc (hardly worn) and the flywheel surface and pressure plate surfaces were good too. The dual mass contraption though was starting to bind up. Luk 17-050 installed, holds my stage 1 just fine now.

If I didn't do the stage 1 and the DMF starting to go bad, I'm sure I'd be driving it another 100K no problem.

 

[Mpaw]

The 24ok miles are the winners so far (=383k km)
I start to wonder if mine is original (just changing it now at 405 k km)

 

[Genesis]

270k, OE Sachs, has nozzles in it. Still fine.

I have a Luk on the shelf which I expected to need years ago. Not yet.

 

[Cates]

If my golf sets for a couple of weeks while I'm away I notice for the first half hour while taking off, the car seems to have a slight slip and grab to it. I am thinking the dual mass flywheel is losing it's bond. After that it seems fine.
My daily commute is around 25 miles, mostly highway though. Thanks for the responses so far.
In my younger years I could destroy a clutch in my Mustang over a wild weekend.

 

[Genesis]

Maybe @Cates, but check the dogbone before condemning the clutch. About 75k miles or so back on my ALH I was fairly convinced the DMF and clutch were basically done for that same sort of reason. Nope; the dogbone bushing was done, and that was a lot easier to replace than the clutch!

 

[Cates]

Thanks Genesis, I'll give it a look!

 

[vandermic07]

335K miles on the stock clutch in the 01 Golf. Thought my throw out bearing was going bad to I replace everything since the miles were so high. Clutch plate still had .03" to the rivets. Dual mass was pretty rough. I had a hard time getting the bolts out.

I taught 2 people how to drive standard in it. I was surprised it made it that long.

Installed the Luk clutch setup. should be good till the rust takes her.

 

[IndigoBlueWagon]

We replaced the OE clutch on my son's '02 Golf at 330K miles. He bought the car from the original owner at 265K, I guess he drove it pretty easy.

 

[oilhammer]

592k miles.... my uncle killed it within a half mile. 2000 Golf, had the Luk DMF setup. It was pretty worn, and the pivot ball was starting to poke a hole in the release arm. But it looked to have never been apart before.

My '91 still had its original clutch in it at 437k miles when I finally tore it down.

My B2000 had its original clutch in it all the way up until 5th gear went AWOL at 346k miles.

 

[gforce1108]

304k miles on my 03 wagon when I changed it. Clutch was still good. DMF had shifted, pivot ball wore through arm and broke off - still completely drivable somehow.

 

[Black00Jetta]

I am at 336k on original clutch. Can’t compete with Oilhammer!

 

[kreibach]

I replaced my clutch and DMF at 340k miles while I had the manual trans out to reseal. I thought maybe it was time to do it, but the clutch held OK and seemed like it could go further. The DMF was gummed up and not very free to move.

 

[PakProtector]

Youse are way too scary...LOL buuuuuuuut, as long as I get it done before it strands me and/or wrecks something I think it will be OK.

Douglas

 

[wonneber]

If my records are correct I got 386357 on the original clutch.
Most of my driving was highway going to work & back home 5 days a week.

 

[P2B]

Recently changed the original Sachs clutch in my son's '02 Jetta at 601,000km.

The friction disc still had life in it, but the throwout bearing disintegrated.

 

[KrashDH]

Youse are way too scary...LOL buuuuuuuut, as long as I get it done before it strands me and/or wrecks something I think it will be OK.

Douglas

Ha I feel like the clutch is one of those things people just put off because it's a daunting job. Then high miles become a "proud" statistic.
Clutch was the first thing I did before I added power, to both the car and the truck. Didn't matter how much life was on either.
I'm with Pak, get it done as supporting mods, but do it as preventative maintenance. The first odd sounds or noise it makes I'm parking it until it's complete so it doesn't leave me stranded or do more damage.

 

[PakProtector]

Funny thing is the pedal feel of the Sachs VR6 clutch is lighter than the stocker in my BEW. I'd love it if the job was easier, that is sure, but it is not so bad...just turn the bolts one way, fix the flywheel with the metalnerd tool, and then turn 'em the other way...
cheers,
Douglas

 

[KrashDH]

Funny thing is the pedal feel of the Sachs VR6 clutch is lighter than the stocker in my BEW. I'd love it if the job was easier, that is sure, but it is not so bad...just turn the bolts one way, fix the flywheel with the metalnerd tool, and then turn 'em the other way...
cheers,
Douglas

Wasn't bad, helps to have a second set of hands. Fishing the transmission housing out was a bit of a pita. I agree though, my SB clutch with the VR6 flywheel feels much lighter than the OEM that was in there.

 

[Cosmo's UNA]

TMK 362, but I am the 4th owner and previous records were sketchy. 2003 Jetta wagon, default blue, were they just made in one color? (kidding).

 

[TPW]

503000 on mine. I changed it just to prevent future problems even though it worked fine and flywheel and clutch disk were not worn out yet.

 

[mk3]

334k miles on mine so far. I bought it with 90k and I assume the previous owner didn't change the clutch based on records she handed over. My daughter learned to drive stick with this car and it is 'her' car.

 

[boisebiker]

420k miles and still the original clutch to my knowledge. Previous owner gave me a long list of parts that he replaced and he bought it from his mother with 80k miles on it.

 

[csstevej]

I have 320,xxx miles on a G60/VR6 set up I installed when I converted from auto to manual.
I’ve taught both daughters and my son to drive a clutch , I have stage 3 tune with sprint 520’s and still going without slipping so far……

 

[PakProtector]

The BEW's dmf is getting stickey. It sometimes rattles the gears like a SMF. Got an ACT 2100 to replace it with. That will use a G60 smf. Sometime when it is warm again I will dig into him.

Douglas

 

[DuraBioPwr]

My 2004 went 290K. Disc still had material but the DMF was wasted and locked in place. That was FUN to get off the crank!

Went with VR6/G60 kit from ID parts. Works great and will go at least another 300K...