Another New Clutch.......

[samq45]

I do not post much, but I have an 04 B6 S4 with about 50K miles (out of warranty) I use for work. Driving home a few nights ago I was going about 45 MPH and shifted from 3rd to 4th close to home and the clutch just went to the floor. Was not horsing it or anything and there was no indication anything was wrong before I shifted.

I have never beaten this car and can drive stick just fine. I have a spec Miata I pound the crap out of, if need be.

So I bring it to the dealer since it is close by and they tell me no doubt needs a new clutch and a flywheel. They never took it apart, but told me they are 100% sure. As stated before on here cost is about $3,000.
It seems like a much to common problem on these vehicles for the mileage and they way I drive.

I am towing it to my family's shop where my brother will change the clutch and flywheel. I am calling southworks in the morning to see what I can get from them. I planned on doing this next year when the Superchargers are sold, but it looks like christmas came a bit early.

How many others are out there with clutch problems on an MT6 and is there an inherent problem with these clutches, flywheels or tranny's?

I am a bit pissed, especially since 2 years ago I had to spend about $3,000 ago on a new Torque converter on my 03 A6 and there were several other people who had the same issue with the A6 and Allroads tips, but Audi would not admit there was a problem or design flaw.

[sakimano]

thems the breaks
Don't forget...that S4 was about $45,000 new...it's not a Civic. You bought it preowned, but that doesn't change the expense of the parts/labour to fix these pigs.

It does seem strange, but I also know that I'm not shy about going through the gears in my b7 on the onramp...I guess with the weight of the car, the torque of the engine and the fun it is to drive, you're going to wear out your clutch every 5 years or so, unless you baby it.

[MacTiki]

Same exact thing happened to me a month ago...

Except I was shifting from 2-3 and I had 43k on my 04 B6 S4.

$1600 later back on the road.

They can resurface the flywheel so don't buy into the dealership "you have to replace it" BS. I ended up going with a local shop ( http://www.2bennett.com/ ) and stock clutch but everything I read about Southbend and there setup on this forums and other was very positive. The guys at 2 Bennett basically talked me out of their's and Sothbend's performance clutch because I plan on leaving my car mostly stock exhaust and possible chip in the future.

Hope that helps,

Tiki

[Captain Insano]

My clutch was replaced at about 54K by the previous owner. So maybe around 50K that's a common thing on these cars.

[joeycuccaro]

My clutch was replaced at about 54K by the previous owner. So maybe around 50K that's a common thing on these cars.

I dont want to hear that!

[samq45]

Yes, it does appear this is quite common. I spoke to the dealer today and they went ahead and took the clutch out even after I told them I would replace it myself, something about the service guys not communicating with the tech.

After we talked a bit and I spoke to the Tech, They said new clutch only and no flywheel needed. Apparently the flywheel is in very good shape Total cost about $1750 which is not too bad with all things considered. Tech aslo told me this was common and he has done three in the last month and a half on the 04's.

Well I gues you have to pay to play, just wished I would have beat it a litte, that way I would feel better anyhow. A women owned this before me and I would not imagine she horsed it too much, but you never know.

[iconoclast]

thems the breaks
Don't forget...that S4 was about $45,000 new...it's not a Civic.

yep. with that civic youd have a reliable car with cheaper maintenance cost... 'dont forget'.

Total cost about $1750 which is not too bad with all things considered.

that seems fair... for these cars it seems 50-55k is quite common for clutch replacement. side note, i wish there was a 'cdv' style delete on these cars like on m3.

[Captain Insano]

samq45 that's a pretty decent price. The service records from the previous owner of my car paid around $2700 I think for his. Maybe he got a flywheel though.

[KlAzE1]

dang thats making me think a little more before buying an S4 lol, i was thinking of buying one with 52k miles

[sakimano]

yep. with that civic youd have a reliable car with cheaper maintenance cost... 'dont forget'.

that was the point

[wahpao]

are these just happening with the 04 b6s or even b7s also? same car basically so i was just asking

[samq45]

samq45 that's a pretty decent price. The service records from the previous owner of my car paid around $2700 I think for his. Maybe he got a flywheel though.

Yeah, I am pretty happy about that. Honestly, they treat me very well and I cannot complain. I know if they do it then they will at least provide some warranty for what they did and of course they should be good at it. No hacks and we have all heard the stories by using independent shops who really do not know these cars. My family's shop is mostly US and Japan and at times we have discovered we needed new tools for the german cars and my father would be pissed if I tied up one of his lifts for a few days.

Only problem is the dealer called me a few minutes ago and said that third was grinding........so I am sure the price just went up. Lets see what they have to say tomorrow. Its going to snow soon and I want her back.

[Captain Insano]

Uh oh. Third is grinding eh.

The previous owner also replaced 2nd gear and synchro on mine For around $5500. Hope they treat you better than that.

[samq45]

Thats not cool.

[samq45]

I spoke to the dealer and the general conensus is it needs new 3rd gear and syncro's. Not sure what would have caused 3rd to go.

Dealer is treating me well but for the price I would have been able to get a different certified transmission, a stage II or III clutch and a Spitzer Hooker to cruise around with for a few hours (or to help me install it).

Looks like the supercharger will have to wait for next christmas.

[limeylee]

Thank Goodness I got the CPO with mine, Clutch would be covered right?
I have 50K on my 04

[Monchichi8]

45-55k seems low for a clutch, I've got 50k on mine and there are NO signs of trouble. I'am pretty easy on the car, just can't imagine having to replace it soon.Whats everybodys mileage on there stock clutch? post em up.

[...Mark...]

Thank Goodness I got the CPO with mine, Clutch would be covered right?
I have 50K on my 04

My guess is no or at least that is the case 99% of the time with warranties.. Clutches, brake pads, rotors, etc are considered a wear item that can wear premturley due to driving habits.

[Cyrix9445]

mine just turned 40k, no problems yet

[4Rings3Liters]

I highly doubt it is a clutch at all in your situation. Ask the dealer to show you the clutch plate because I bet it is fine. The same thing happened to me and it was the pressure plate. The springs on stock pressure plates have a tendency to reset and not allow the clutch to fully engage which is why it went out all of a sudden and not gradually. Normally when it is a clutch disc that is bad it will slip and progressively get worse until it is replaced. In either case you are better off going with an aftermarket clutch/pressure plate setup so the situation doesn't reoccur.

[iconoclast]

Thank Goodness I got the CPO with mine, Clutch would be covered right?
I have 50K on my 04

no. dealer recommends clutch change at 55k iirc which falls under 'maintenance' and not covered under cpo.

[4Rings3Liters]

Clutches and other "wear and tear" parts like brakes are usually never covered under warranties.

[Jmaak]

50k for a clutch is really really short. There's no way Audi would design a car with a clutch lifespan that short.

[samq45]

I highly doubt it is a clutch at all in your situation. Ask the dealer to show you the clutch plate because I bet it is fine. The same thing happened to me and it was the pressure plate. The springs on stock pressure plates have a tendency to reset and not allow the clutch to fully engage which is why it went out all of a sudden and not gradually. Normally when it is a clutch disc that is bad it will slip and progressively get worse until it is replaced. In either case you are better off going with an aftermarket clutch/pressure plate setup so the situation doesn't reoccur.

I have asked for the parts as it did seem strange, but after getting fedback from several s4 owners that have had the same issue and talking to a few techs It looks like the dealer may be correct based on my symptons. The clutches on these cars may not act the same as we are used too as I expected some warning it was going bad. They know my family's body shops and I doubt they would try to pull that crap with me, but who knows. I will of course look at the parts to make sure, including the gear and syncros. Either way the cost of pulling that tranny out is not cheap. Parts were the least of my concerns and I could not even get an independent shop here in Upstate NY to look at it (unless I towed it 200 miles to our shop that has no german car experience).

[samq45]

45-55k seems low for a clutch, I've got 50k on mine and there are NO signs of trouble. I'am pretty easy on the car, just can't imagine having to replace it soon.Whats everybodys mileage on there stock clutch? post em up.

I think most people who had had this problem had no warning whatsoever.

[Mooneywa]

61,000 on the stock clutch - and (knock on wood) there are no problems.