New member with question.... - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

chubert · 11-09-2009, 01:01 PM

I would like to introduce myself as a new Boxster owner. I recently bought a 1999 Arctic Silver 5 speed. So far thanks to this site I comfortably changed my ignition switch which left my new to me car dead in the garage and saved a ton on a DIY oil change.

So now my car has a slight shudder on low rpm clutch engagement. More so when it is cold. Not sure if the clutch is on it's way out but it still shifts smooth and does not slip even at full throttle. No grinding either. I think my RMS is fine as I have no drips on the garage floor or wetness on the bottom of the motor.

So my question is.. Is a DIY clutch job really a possibility in your own garage? If so for $500 in parts I might just do it as preventitive maint. I am very comfortable with mechanical work but I have never replaced a clutch. I have lots of experience with other car repairs like brakes, half shafts, alternators, plugs etc.

Also have people paid for a clutch job at the dealer vs an indy shop?

Thanks
Chris

Topless · 11-09-2009, 01:46 PM

Welcome to the forum. Enjoy your new ride which might just be the most fun car you will ever own.

Yes a clutch job is a DIY if you have the tools and talent. I have not yet done mine but several in our local PCA have. Figure about 6 hours if you don't get too hung up on rusted manifold bolts.

Clutch shudder might be just an artifact from the previous owner not using a smooth release. If you are not in a hurry to change it and it is not slipping it may smooth out over time.

Paul · 11-09-2009, 04:05 PM

It also may be normal. Drive another Boxster or have another Boxster owner drive yours.

chubert · 11-09-2009, 05:45 PM

Thanks. I rode in my friends this weekend who has the exact same car and his seems smoother. He drove mine on the test drive and thought it felt better than his although that was 2 months ago. It seems to only do it when cold. It was fine on the way home tonight....

Im in no hurry as it performs fine other than a bit of shake sometimes. Maybe it will fix itself

Lobo1186 · 11-09-2009, 05:59 PM

well it could be an engine mount... but not sure why it would do it only when cold. one thing you can do to tell if its a bad mount is pop open the engine compartment put the car in gear, release handbrake. after that go to the rear bumper and push the car and rock it forward and back. but be careful not to scratch dent any body parts of course. if you see the engine move alot and the car rocks alot it is a bad mount. also another way to tell while ur driving but i dont remember the method something about accelerating in 2nd or 3rd and let off the gas quick and feeling if there is play in the shifter or something.

as far as ur clutch replacement job. anything is possible at home its just all about having the right tools. if you know what you need going into it then you can adequately prepare

chubert · 11-10-2009, 06:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lobo1186

well it could be an engine mount... but not sure why it would do it only when cold. one thing you can do to tell if its a bad mount is pop open the engine compartment put the car in gear, release handbrake. after that go to the rear bumper and push the car and rock it forward and back. but be careful not to scratch dent any body parts of course. if you see the engine move alot and the car rocks alot it is a bad mount. also another way to tell while ur driving but i dont remember the method something about accelerating in 2nd or 3rd and let off the gas quick and feeling if there is play in the shifter or something.

as far as ur clutch replacement job. anything is possible at home its just all about having the right tools. if you know what you need going into it then you can adequately prepare

Thanks, I thought about the engine mount too as that seems to be a common failure. I have not tried the rocking method but when acceleratoin WOT and letting off the throttle I get no real movement in the shifter.

Funny thing is it was fine again this morning so maybe whatever was causing the shudder wore off. I did drive it much much harder than normal yesterday to see if I could get a symptom to stick.
I have learned my lesson. No more driving like a wus...