...some transmission/clutch advice (rant)

**jessefrank** · 12-29-2008 02:29 PM

My clutch started slipping. Looked under the car and saw some fluid on the trans...and stupid lazy me just figured it was left over engine oil from when I recently changed it (and spilled quite a bit when my plastic bag-oil filter rig ripped). I recently moved from CO to NM (lost about 2500 ft elevation) and got the REVo un-detuned...so figured the OEM clutch at 64k was done due to the extra torque. As I was unbolting the trans from the engine the fluid started to pour out seriously making a nice 10-12" puddle... but it was too late to turn back at that point.

As the car sits now...till my parts get here hopefully on/before Firday (realistic "next day" shipping).

I though I researched enough before tearing it apart, but didn't order the $6 trans input seal ahead of time when seeing a leak

(while I was having to order shit I went ahead and got the pilot needle bearing, rear main seal/flange and crankcase pressure regulator valve[not trans related...but I needed it too]).

So, some advice from me to you...if you plan on doing your clutch...buy all the shit AHEAD OF TIME. Will save you some time, money (shipping) and aggrivation.

Also if you live in the southern-midwest...well, texas area

Metro Audi and Dallas/Ft Worth Audi parts depts were awsome! If I every go buy a new Audi I will seriously consider driving the extra distance to one of those dealers! After dealing with Colorado Audi Dealers since I bought my A4 with their snobby, ignorant, overpriced and don't give a d@mn attitudes...I'd pretty much given up on dealerships. I got all 4 parts I listed above overnighted to me for $190...which beat the online stores like ECS in price and time to me! I was expecting to pay out the nose to get the parts ASAP, but they were the cheapest as well.

**Papachristou** · 12-29-2008 02:32 PM

my dealer is also snobby.....

props on doing your own clutch. welcome to the club! i had a pilot bearing, rear main and coolant flange but ended up just doing the pilot bearing.... i wished i had done the coolant flange though

then a week after i am done, my rear o2 sensor burns up.. go figure...

**jessefrank** · 12-29-2008 02:49 PM

...Thus far the clutch wasn't all that difficult even w/o a lift (although I haven't gotten it back in yet

).

My rear flange isn't leaking, but I don't feel like tearing it all apart over again anytime soon when I can just eat the extra cost as a precautionary measure (same with pilot bearing).

Originally Posted by Papachristou

then a week after i am done, my rear o2 sensor burns up.. go figure...

...I know the feeling. Can't wait to see what breaks on the car next week!!! (knock on wood)

RA4 clutch and all these side parts set me back just a little $$$...but convinced the wife that all the money saved in labor at a shop is best spent on the bigger air pusher mod (AKA turbo).

...then the viscious cycle of one day run = love the car; next day break = hate it will start all over

**Maverick** · 12-29-2008 03:29 PM

Originally Posted by jessefrank

.....then the viscious cycle of one day run = love the car; next day break = hate it will start all over

I know that tooooooooo well. effing car

**MikTip** · 12-29-2008 03:46 PM

What oil is in your gearbox...to cause all the seals to go bad?

At 64K, the gearbox seals should not all fail at the same time...

Was the gearbox over-heated? Maybe its been run on low oil for a few K?

While the gearbox is out, take a good look at your rear main seal...

**jessefrank** · 12-29-2008 03:56 PM

Originally Posted by MikTip

What oil is in your gearbox...to cause all the seals to go bad?

At 64K, the gearbox seals should not all fail at the same time...

Was the gearbox over-heated? Maybe its been run on low oil for a few K?

While the gearbox is out, take a good look at your rear main seal...

99% sure it's the OEM fluid. Car was religiously serviced by the dealer by the 1st owner (till 32k). Fluid didn't "look" bad or black/burnt, etc.
2 of teh 4 dealers I called trying to source parts stated there was an update to the seal part # in my trans. Said there was an issue w/ leaking and updated one is thicker/different design...but that's the dealer talking too so that's debateable.

Fluid might be pretty low, althogh it apparently hasn't been leaking very long, there was a decent amount of fluid that was just sitting in the housing (not including what had already leaked out while driving).

I ordered the rear main seal, even though it dosen't appear to be leaking.

**Papachristou** · 12-29-2008 04:01 PM

yeah, i was able to do a FE SS clutch, racetec FMIC, TB kit and stasis diff all for what the dealer wanted to install a stock clutch!

the DIY makes it sound harder than what it is... it wasnt fun and my abs and neck hurt like hell but i drank a lot of beer, had fun with a few friends and got a few kewl mods for the same $$$

DIY FTW