Heavy/Stiff Clutch in S. Replacement Needed? - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

heliocentric · 04-17-2006, 10:41 AM

The clutch in my '01 -S is extremely heavy. I've driven other boxsters and 911s and mine is significantly harder to engauge (so it's not just "its a porsche clutch", etc). So heavy in fact, that driving in stop/go traffic is a workout.

My dealer states I need a new clutch, but it doesn't slip at all. I checked pricing and a new clutch kit and flywheel is expensive. So, am I doomed to pay the $1500+, or are there cheaper things to try first?

I've googled the forums, but didn't have much luck getting a clear answer. Also checked faq985.com.

The car has 34000 miles on it.

Thanks for any advice.

xclusivecar · 04-17-2006, 01:26 PM

I just had my car driven by a Porsche Master Tech and he immediatly noted a heavy clutch. My clutch never slipped and since I never had anything to compare it to in the Porsche world the tech let me drive another Boxster. Although this Box was a few years newer in age the clutch felt like butter. Almost too easy. He said that this was how they were supposed to feel and quoted me $2200. Lucky me...I pulled out my extended warranty, no deductable, and now I have a date this Wednesday. If I were you...try to buy an extended warranty if you can find one cheap enough w/ no deductable, wait a few months and then complain and get it replaced. My warranty cost me $2000 a year ago and I have already had $1000 in repairs performed. This clutch makes it worth it now!

TriGem2k · 04-17-2006, 01:40 PM

Your clutch is gettin to the end of its life. Within the next few thousand miles it will give out. A friend of mine just found that out the hard way. I told him multiple times that the boxster clutch shouldnt be as hard as his was but he ignored me. Finally i get a call from him saying he couldnt get the car in gear....I kindly laughed and wen to to pick him up.

heliocentric · 04-17-2006, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xclusivecar

I just had my car driven by a Porsche Master Tech and he immediatly noted a heavy clutch. My clutch never slipped and since I never had anything to compare it to in the Porsche world the tech let me drive another Boxster. Although this Box was a few years newer in age the clutch felt like butter. Almost too easy. He said that this was how they were supposed to feel and quoted me $2200. Lucky me...I pulled out my extended warranty, no deductable, and now I have a date this Wednesday. If I were you...try to buy an extended warranty if you can find one cheap enough w/ no deductable, wait a few months and then complain and get it replaced. My warranty cost me $2000 a year ago and I have already had $1000 in repairs performed. This clutch makes it worth it now!

I was told quick clearly (when car was still under its normal warranty) that the clutch wasn't covered, since just like brakes, they wear out. Who is your extended warranty with? Thanks

xclusivecar · 04-17-2006, 02:22 PM

EasyCare. I PM'd you...

docdyh · 04-17-2006, 04:48 PM

Let us know if your clutch was covered under warranty. Manufacturer doesn't warranty this item as normal wear/tear, neither does my extended warranty.

heliocentric · 04-17-2006, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by docdyh

Let us know if your clutch was covered under warranty. Manufacturer doesn't warranty this item as normal wear/tear, neither does my extended warranty.

To clarify, do you mean that a) Porsche do NOT cover the item under warranty and consider it normal wwar and tear, or b) they do not consider this wear and tear and thus DO cover it under warranty?

My dealer has lead me to believe its the former

Thanks

BadBoyS · 04-18-2006, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by heliocentric

To clarify, do you mean that a) Porsche do NOT cover the item under warranty and consider it normal wwar and tear, or b) they do not consider this wear and tear and thus DO cover it under warranty?

My dealer has lead me to believe its the former

Thanks

A......Sorry

docdyh · 04-18-2006, 12:26 PM

I have never heard of clutch replacement being covered under any warranty for the reason that BadBoyS stated.

bigislandboxster · 04-18-2006, 01:49 PM

My extended warranty doesn't cover it either, I have actually never heard of ANY warranty that covers clutch replacement under normal wear and tear .....

04-18-2006, 05:31 PM

it could be just the pressure pads which are a good bit cheaper than the whole clutch assembly, when i bought my S i felt the clutch was very heavy, but coming from a tiptronic i did not have anything to judge against, so i call to my local porsche specialist and let him have a look, it happened that another S was there that day and after checking his clutch i went back to the dealer who i bought the car from and he kindly changed the pressure pads free of charge, all this happened within 4 days by the way!

hope you get sorted out, by the way i never heard of clutch wear guaranteed either.

see ya

mjw930 · 04-18-2006, 05:58 PM

I'm trying to figure out what a pressure pad is

Adam · 04-18-2006, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mjw930

I'm trying to figure out what a pressure pad is

I think he is talking about a clutch disc. Alot of people just reuse the pressure plates and flywheel and only replace the disc to get away cheap.

heliocentric · 04-19-2006, 09:38 AM

Thanks for everyone's help. I'm taking the car to another mechanic for review. He's surprised it needs a new clutch based on my description, so wants me to bring it in and take a test drive. He said the only way you can tell if the flywheel is good is when the clutch is dissassembled.

It's an expensive repair or a very expensive repair (if a new flywheel is needed) :-(

I've noticed a few online dealers selling clutch parts... any recommendations? I may be able to save money if I supply the parts.

docdyh · 04-19-2006, 02:37 PM

so does that mean your clutch repair is NOT covered under your warranty?

docdyh · 04-19-2006, 02:39 PM

that question was for xclusivecar not you, heliocentric..

xclusivecar · 04-19-2006, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by docdyh

so does that mean your clutch repair is NOT covered under your warranty?

We'll, they have the car now and have repaired other problems with the car already...but...now they are backing down on the clutch being bad. They are telling me something about a cracked something or other which may be causing the heavy feel in the pedal and want to fix this first before they tear out the transmission. We'll see! But to answer your question...yes the clutch would be covered...but now they don't want to fix it?!?!?

heliocentric · 04-26-2006, 06:46 AM

So, took to three mechanics, and finally gave in a spent the 1300 on a new clutch (fly wheel was fine). After the switch the guy showed me the plate and it was worn down to the bolts (previous owner had no idea how to drive a stick obviously).

WHAT A DIFFERENCE! I basically have a new car. I had no idea how the old clutch was spoiling my experience in the car and I wish I'd spent the money a year ago!

Now I want to change gears rather than avoid it - and that what this car's about.