Clutch questions

[A4 KiDD 810]

Well its gonna happen in the next few months. The clutch lady is calling and im tryin to milk this baby for all she's worth. I'm approaching 89k miles now, so I guess it's about time, it'll probly be around 92-93k when she goes if I can push her that long. Anyway, I wanna be prepared.

I was considering Southbend stage 1 instead of just replacing with OEM, because I've heard so many good things about Southbend, plus I'm only APR 1+ but I'm gonna wanna do some launches every once in a while so I dont wanna be on a OEM clutch unless the Southbend is gonna be really complicated.

Well, My dad's mechanics give me good labor prices, but its not a car tuning shop, so I dont want to confuse them with something that isn't OEM and make something go wrong. I dont really know all the parts of a clutch, and what needs to be replaced when one goes from old age. I know the southbend website has alot of parts on it idk which ones to order or if they come in a package or what.

Is the southbend stage 1 gonna be alot more confusing, or complicated for an everyday mechanic than OEM ? Will it be more expensive than replacing with an OEM ? What part/parts have to be replaced, or should I replace the whole clutch ? And is it much better than an OEM ? What would you do ? And which one on their site would be the most similar to OEM install, or the one that I should get, the stage 1 single mass flywheel or dual mass flywheel (whatever they are)

Thanks in advance, even though it may be a little soon, I just wanna be prepared so I know what to do that day.

[absolutegtr]

It doesnt matter if its a Stage 1 or Stage 57, a clutch and its components look (for the most part) exactly the same.

The only difference between a stage 1 and so on, is the material used on the clucth disk, and the strength the fingers will apply on the pressure plate. Your shop should have no difficulty what-so-ever installing a simple clutch.

**Please note, that our cars use dual mass flywheels, so most likely, the average shop cannot resurface the dual mass flywheel.

**Another thing is, you say, that you are trying to 'milk' the clutch for as long as possible, but in doing so you are repeatadly slipping it and will cause hotspots on the flywheel. If you do this for too long, then you might not be able to have the flywheel resurfaced. It will be beyond repair. Now, if you plan on going with a lightweight flywheel....then drive on

As for what clutch you should use, I would recommend the Stage 3 or 4 (forgot which one) but it is called the OFE SS. It has more than enough clamping force for a Stage 1+ car, and if you ever decide to go BT, it will still be able to hold the power. Plus, I have this same clutch and love it!

Another thing you will want to change while in there, is the throwout bearing (proper name is the clutch release bearing), but that is included in the Southbend kit as well as the new pressure plate.

Another thing you will want to change while in there is the pilot bearing. Many for some reason do not change it, but for $25, why not? The last thing you would want is for dirt to get in there, while changing the clutch, and then lock up, and then destroying the input shaft on the transmission....Cheap insurance.

Good luck!

[brewmastr]

eh most likely you would not lockup the pilot bearing but it could happen but i would highly reccomend replacing the pilot bearing as well, nothing worse than getting done putting it all back together and drive it for a month and the bearing you neglected to replace starts making noise, in general professionals usually do the front seal on the transmission and rear engine seal as well when a clutch job is done, if the transmission is off its usually only a few extra tenths of an hour pay wise and inexpensive radial seals, would hate to install a new clutch and then your rear main seal that is getting old and a bit crispy in there from all the heat starts leaking oil all over your new clutch. so here is my recomendations, OFE SS, resurface dual mass, rear main seal, front transmission seal, make sure both the throwout bearing and pilot bearing are replaced as well, and then you can seal her back up with no worrys of a oil leak popping up, or a pesky bearing noise resulting in the whole thing coming apart again.

[absolutegtr]

eh most likely you would not lockup the pilot bearing but it could happen .

I've seen it happen....the whole input shaft was ground down....it was on a domestic though

[A4 KiDD 810]

**Another thing is, you say, that you are trying to 'milk' the clutch for as long as possible, but in doing so you are repeatadly slipping it and will cause hotspots on the flywheel. If you do this for too long, then you might not be able to have the flywheel resurfaced. It will be beyond repair. Now, if you plan on going with a lightweight flywheel....then drive on

Another thing you will want to change while in there is the pilot bearing. Many for some reason do not change it, but for $25, why not? The last thing you would want is for dirt to get in there, while changing the clutch, and then lock up, and then destroying the input shaft on the transmission....Cheap insurance.

Good luck!

Hey, thanks for the reply it was really helpful, I gave you some reputation for that, lol . Anyway, its not at a point yet where it's slipping on normal shifting, it just if I launch it it'll definitely slip, but thats why I dont lauch it. It just catches really towards the end of pulling it out, and you can feel its not particularly strong when you're starting off in first, I kinda just know its on its way out.

About the pilot bearing, is that an OEM piece I can replace into the southbend, or will I have to get that piece from southbend made to fit southbend ? Well, I guess if I think about it based on your answer if the only really difference is the material then I guess the OEM pilot bearing would work (if there even is an aftermarket one). I just wanna be sure though. Thanks again.

[absolutegtr]

Hey, thanks for the reply it was really helpful, I gave you some reputation for that, lol . Anyway, its not at a point yet where it's slipping on normal shifting, it just if I launch it it'll definitely slip, but thats why I dont lauch it. It just catches really towards the end of pulling it out, and you can feel its not particularly strong when you're starting off in first, I kinda just know its on its way out.

About the pilot bearing, is that an OEM piece I can replace into the southbend, or will I have to get that piece from southbend made to fit southbend ? Well, I guess if I think about it based on your answer if the only really difference is the material then I guess the OEM pilot bearing would work (if there even is an aftermarket one). I just wanna be sure though. Thanks again.

The pilot bearing has nothing to do with the new/different clutch you will be buying. The pilot bearing only comes into contact with the input shaft which is attached to your transmission.

So in short, the OEM pilot bearing will work. When I went to the dealer to buy one, i just told them what I needed ("pilot bearing" ) and it cost me like $25 or so.

BTW, I looooooove rep point

[Condo]

If you're interested I might have my Southbend FE SS available soon. I'm either going to sell it as it with the resurfaced flywheel or have it reconditioned to new.

[Papachristou]

i have the FE SS, great clutch....... BTW im 1+ as well, it can stand all the launches i can throw at it.... i did my pilot bearing as well, it was a biatch to get it settle in straight...

oh and if your shop can get confused on a aftermarket clutch, i wouldnt consider letting them touch my car...

[CO AVANT]

If you're interested I might have my Southbend FE SS available soon. I'm either going to sell it as it with the resurfaced flywheel or have it reconditioned to new.

Going twin plate as well?

[Condo]

Going twin plate as well?

Might as well. I figured that it would be best to do it right now while my engine and tranny are pulled.

[Papachristou]

true, easier now than later if you gots the $$$

[Condo]

The install won't cost anything extra and I'm hoping to sell the Southbend to make up some of the cost.

[Papachristou]

exactly! used clutches can be harder to sell, but you were breaking in your engine so they should know/trust that it didnt get much wear