Sticky/Mushy Clutch Pedal

[iviegatron]

This past Thursday I started having issues with my clutch pedal, it felt mushy and it would not spring back like it used to. At one point the clutch pedal was sticking to the floor and I could not get out of gear. Took it to the dealer and their typical response was we can't reproduce the problem and to make a video of it next time it happens, even though I took a picture of it showing the pedal was stuck to the floor.

Fast forward to Saturday and after a 2 hour drive the clutch pedal began to feel mushy again and was having trouble changing gears. Pulled over to the side to test the pedal out and it started sticking to the floor. I guess this time it was the final straw because I could not get into any gear from neutral and the clutch pedal would not return unless I pulled it by my hand/foot. I had it towed to the dealer since it was not driveable.

I only have 18k miles on the car and never have done any launches nor do I drive it like I stole it. No mods, except for exhaust. I am suspecting my slave cylinder has failed. What do you think could be the issue?

[EHesh14]

Unfortunately it is the slave dying caused by the master cylinder. The piston inside the master isn't fully traveling and causing the hard gear changing at times. Check out this thread

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php/684715-Have-to-almost-put-my-foot-through-the-floor-on-the-clutch-to-start-car

[Audibot]

A component like that should not fail at 18k. So I would think it would be warrantied.

[jimrobbington]

A component like that should not fail at 18k. So I would think it would be warrantied.
Correct, BUT good luck getting anything remotely related to clutch warrantied. Be prepared for dealer to tell you to replace both clutch and flywheel, then be prepared to take it elsewhere. If they even mention opening up the transmission, decline and take it to a shop you actually trust.

[iviegatron]

Received a call from the dealer and he said there was a leak in my slave cylinder, they could see the brake fluid leaking. They should have the part in by Wednesday.

I am hoping that is the ONLY issue. I know dealer would not change the clutch since it's not a warrantied item. Will go aftermarket, but am concerned about the dreaded push start issue.

[iviegatron]

Received my car today. The slave cylinder has been replaced. Even after replacement the clutch pedal feels mushy/spongy. The pedal feel is not the same as it used to be. I brought this up to the dealer after I went for a test drive. They tested it out and said it feels fine to them, but also said they are not sure how the original pedal feel was [confused] They recommended to bleed the lines again, but unfortunately I didn't have time to wait for an hour. I told them I'll bring the car back after I put some miles on it. Not sure if it needs a break in period, but I'll give it a go.

For those who have had their slave cylinders replaced, how did the clutch pedal feel after replacement?

[EHesh14]

Received my car today. The slave cylinder has been replaced. Even after replacement the clutch pedal feels mushy/spongy. The pedal feel is not the same as it used to be. I brought this up to the dealer after I went for a test drive. They tested it out and said it feels fine to them, but also said they are not sure how the original pedal feel was [confused] They recommended to bleed the lines again, but unfortunately I didn't have time to wait for an hour. I told them I'll bring the car back after I put some miles on it. Not sure if it needs a break in period, but I'll give it a go.

For those who have had their slave cylinders replaced, how did the clutch pedal feel after replacement?

Mine felt definitely off right after I had it replaced the other week. Engagement was far more quick than usual I guess because I wasn't expecting the short pedal travel. Didn't feel firm at all, but once I broke the new slave again (to start the car the same day [:/] it felt back to normal. I would suggest bleeding it again.

[viceroy1976]

How easy is it to change the slave DIY?
My pedal has started to go mushy on occasion, but not getting stuck on the floor, just slow to respond.
I'd like to give it a go, but if it requires a lift then I'll rather take it to the garage.

[SacAudi]

when mine was mushy they INSISTED that it wasnt the slave... opened it up and the clutch was pretty worn (48k on the clock) but the clutch still engaged fine... Got the car back and THE SAME THING. They ended up flushing the fluid and it felt fine for another 400 miles then it was back... now its intermittent... They offered NO HELP on the clutch replacment.

When it starts sticking I just pump the pedal in neutral and it seems to be okay. totally random... makes me really get annoyed with the car...

Im hoping somone has taken this somewhere other than audi and gotten it fixed. My guess is the slave / master just need to be replaced with a good fluid flush... $4500 late on the clutch

[Victor Newman]

I have the same issue. Took it in, as my car is CPO, and they said it was the throw out bearing, and were going to cover it under warranty. I told them I thought it was hydraulic, but they said it was the throw out bearing. Tore everything apart, replaced the throw out bearing, and no change at all. I took it back in, and they said I needed a new clutch. I asked what part of the clutch could be causing that problem, and they said the pressure plate. When I told them I could get the mushiness to go away by pumping the pedal, and that if a pressure plate (spring) is bad, you can't pump life back into a spring, they had no answers. Just reverted to "you need a new clutch." That was about 20K miles ago, and my clutch is perfect. You would think shit like this would be a no-brainer for a dealer, but most of them are just as lost as anybody else pulling things out of their ass

[jimrobbington]

I have the same issue. Took it in, as my car is CPO, and they said it was the throw out bearing, and were going to cover it under warranty. I told them I thought it was hydraulic, but they said it was the throw out bearing. Tore everything apart, replaced the throw out bearing, and no change at all. I took it back in, and they said I needed a new clutch. I asked what part of the clutch could be causing that problem, and they said the pressure plate. When I told them I could get the mushiness to go away by pumping the pedal, and that if a pressure plate (spring) is bad, you can't pump life back into a spring, they had no answers. Just reverted to "you need a new clutch." That was about 20K miles ago, and my clutch is perfect. You would think shit like this would be a no-brainer for a dealer, but most of them are just as lost as anybody else pulling things out of their ass
Amen. Good for you for not actually letting them do it. Most of us were less fortunate ;(

[AKPS4]

Looks like I have the same issue. New clutch though but absolutely no pedal pressure. On side of road waiting for tow to dealer... Praying they have some clue. My clutch is brand new aftermarket so can't wait for them to tell me I need a new clutch. I'm

[bokiboki]

Same thing happened to me just the other day. Lucky I was just going off the highway and the clutch fell to the floor. I was able to put it in neutral and pull the clutch back up but as soon as I would press on it it would stick to the floor, no resistance what so ever. I had to push my car to the side of the road and trust me it's one heavy sucker this thing, built like a tank. A friend towed me back home for a few miles and another friend came to my house with some tools and I got new slave and master cylinders. He replaced the slave cylinder first since he saw it leaking a tiny little bit but that didn't return the pressure back into the pedal even after multiple bleeding tries. He then went and replaced the master cylinder (a pain in the ass to access) and everything started working again after a short bleed of the system. Just have the dealership replace the master cylinder (if they already replaced the slave, and if not let them replace both) and don't let them touch your clutch. Just from my personal experience.