Any driver of a vehicle with relatively low yearly mileage will rarely notice the difference as the clutch slowly becomes stiffer and heavier to apply
My lovely wife has a summertime fun car – a 2001 Porsche Boxster S, with about 125,000 kilometres on it. We service it regularly. Last service was the major service and it came back with a note that said the “clutch engages high/diaphragm spring feels heavy. Suspect spring warped/cracked.” The recommendation was to replace the clutch assembly, to the tune of about $2,900.
Neither my wife nor I have noted anything unusual. Pedal pressure is firm but it always has been and there is no slippage. It seems like a lot to spend on a suspected flaw we haven’t noticed. Do we risk serious or more expensive damage or a dangerous breakdown if we let this slide until we notice a problem or it does break?Thank you, Roger.
The clutch is comprised of three components that are almost always replaced as a kit. A pressure plate, friction disc and a release bearing. It is the friction disc that typically sees the most visible wear as it ages and slowly becomes thinner. It is this thinning friction disc that will cause the clutch engagement point to feel different. It is the pressure plate however that causes the pedal firmness to increase as the large diaphragm spring housed within it seizes on its pivot points.
Overcoming this spring will require more left leg pressure from the driver as it ages. Your Porsche is approaching 25 years old and likely has the original clutch. . That is of course until the clutch is replaced, then it’s completely obvious. Yes, sometimes we technicians get a kick out of watching customers pick up their vehicles after a clutch replacement and stall it multiple times trying to drive out of the parking lot without looking like a rookie.
Lou Trottier is owner-operator of All About Imports in Mississauga. Have a question about maintenance and repair? E-mail
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