New Clutch

[Mezmar]

2005 Jetta TDI has 130K miles on the clutch, and I'm thinking that when I change the timing belt, I I would go ahead and do the clutch as well. Is it recommended/necessary to change the flywheel, or can I just put in a new pressure plate, pilot bearing and disc? Any recommendations on where to get a kit? Thanks

 

[turbobrick240]

Is the clutch slipping or acting up? I wouldn't replace it unless something is wrong. It may be good for another 200k.

 

[eddieleephd]

Yeah, mine lasted to about 300,000mi.
The timing belt is on the other end of the engine and not necessarily easier to do at the same time.

Sent from my moto g(7) power using Tapatalk

 

[Tdijarhead]

Unless you’re having problems, I’d let it go. As Eddie points out timing belt and clutch are at opposite ends.

 

[Mezmar]

Thanks for your advice regarding the clutch. It isn't slipping, and the point made about the clutch and timing belt being on opposite sides of the engine is well made. "If it aint broke, don't fix it." We'll just do the timing belt and hopefully the clutch will go for as long as the ones mentioned.

I am still curious, though--when the clutch is replaced, is a new flywheel recommended?

 

[IndigoBlueWagon]

By the time the OE clutch fails the dual mass flywheel is near or at the end of its service life, so you should replace it. You may want to switch to a single mass flywheel and clutch, or there's a good dual mass kit available that's inexpensive.

 

[Mongler98]

Depends on the condition of the flywheel. If it's not burnt badly it can be turnd down my your local machine shop. Typically if your diy a clutch job it's so cheep to just replace it that it ends up just that, being replaced. The work to change it down the road is not worth the hassle so..... typically you can get a very long life put of the clutch if you remain stock on engine performance. Start adding power and well......

 

[IndigoBlueWagon]

Not easy to find a shop that can correctly machine a DMF. And even if you did, after a couple hundred thousand miles the springs in the flywheel are shot.

 

[Lightflyer1]

Buy what you need here for relatively few dollars.

https://www.idparts.com/luk-17-050-clutch-kit-p-740.html

 

[300D]

I did the timing belt and clutch/flywheel 'together' two years ago. Doing them 'together' just meant one after the other. The only thing that carried over was the engine support brace got to stay in place. Oh, and I only had to lift it up onto stands once, instead of twice.

 

[oilhammer]

The VAST majority of BEW or BRMs (OP did not say which) will have a DMF failure LONG before the friction material on the clutch is actually "worn out".

Next thing would be the release lever wearing through.

If there is no noise, or vibrations, or shuddering upon engagement, I'd leave it be.

FWIW, I am still trying to truly wear a clutch out... in any car I have ever owned. So far I have been unsuccessful, although my '91 Jetta's was disengaging at the very, very top of the pedal travel after 400k miles.

 

[IndigoBlueWagon]

My son's '02 Golf got a new clutch at 330K. The flywheel was loose, but not dead. And the clutch disc was down to the rivets. Pretty much done. But that's pretty good service life.

 

[Mezmar]

Thank you all who weighed in! Great info, including the link for a new clutch kit!

 

[Lightflyer1]

Don't forget the additional items at the bottom of the page. You may need some or all of them too.

 

[BobnOH]

Yes, if I were doing a clutch I'd replace everything inside. Might even have a rear main seal on hand. Yours should be good for a long long time.

 

[Lightflyer1]

When I do things this deep I try and do everything in there while it is open. I don't want to go in there again for some small little item that now needs replacing after a short while. Unless you just like doing this kind of thing.