Clutch upgrade?

[danny83uk]

Hi,

New in here, and looking for some advise and opinions, please.

I have a 2009 GTi, and the clutch makes a slight noise when releasing on a cold morning (only for a few changes). There is no issue with the operation, and I suspect it is the release bearing.

I have been waiting 3 months for the new intake to arrive from Forge and plan to have it remapped once it arrives (stage 1).

With this sound from the clutch, I am thinking it might as well be upgraded.

If anyone has had a similar issue, but it hasn't been the release bearing what has it been?

But, I really want help with are some recommendations on what clutch to upgrade to?  (decent value for money and maintains an OEM/ish feel).

[Borbus]

I'm interested in this too. The clutch is by far my least favourite thing about my Mk6. It also makes the noise when releasing on a cold morning and it's become quite loud now. Everything I've read suggests it's the release/throwout bearing.

I also think the clutch feels crap in general. I don't know what a brand new OEM one feels like, but I'd much rather have a tighter clutch feel. More like a Honda.

[JonnoFleming]

Same issue here, release bearing has been howling like a bugger. Currently upgrading the car, suspension, brakes, then stage 1 and other bits.

I've order the RTS clutch and Sachs bearing and waiting for them to be delivered and fitted and then I'll update you on how those perform

[joe6]

My release bearing has started to growl sometimes when cold so also interested on your feedback. Clutch, when new, was fine for me - no snatch and progressive release so not sure whether to go for oem or another.

[Borbus]

I got my clutch done the other day. Got Sachs three piece kit and dual mass flywheel. The new clutch feels way better. I really hope it's fixed the growl. I haven't heard it yet but it did tend to happen on colder days. There was nothing really obviously wrong with the old parts. The old DMF was a bit wobbly. The pressure plate showed some signs of uneven pressure. The throwout bearing still moved smoothly. So not sure. But I'm still glad I did the clutch as it feels almost like a different car now.

[joe6]

I got my clutch done the other day. Got Sachs three piece kit and dual mass flywheel. The new clutch feels way better. I really hope it's fixed the growl. I haven't heard it yet but it did tend to happen on colder days. There was nothing really obviously wrong with the old parts. The old DMF was a bit wobbly. The pressure plate showed some signs of uneven pressure. The throwout bearing still moved smoothly. So not sure. But I'm still glad I did the clutch as it feels almost like a different car now.

Hi Borbus. Has the growl been fixed? Interested as getting a new clutch and release bearing at the end of next week. Still wondering if I need a new DMF?

[Borbus]

Yeah it has. Haven't heard a peep since. It used to be worse when cold/wet but I've had a couple of colder and wet drives and no growl. I did a get a new DMF with mine. The guy I got it from said it's a false economy to skip the DMF as that's actually more likely to be the next thing to go if you don't change it. From what I've seen, a lot of people get through a DMF before they even get through a clutch.

[joe6]

Thanks for the feedback Borbus. Makes sense to do the DMF rather than have a second strip down and the car is remaining in the family. Still in very good condition and only one owner - me!

[joe6]

New Sachs clutch and DMF fitted. The old DMF was a bit weak with more than the normal movement and probably the main cause of the noise. Clutch now back to original pedal feel when the car was new.  . Mechanic confirmed the car still in very good clean condition so very pleased that lots of life in the old girl yet.

[Borbus]

That's great to hear. Yeah, the DMF was the only obviously worn part. A lot of people back in the day attributed the growl to the throwout bearing but mine seemed fine so I guess the DMF is probably the most likely cause on older cars now.