Gear Selection - Advice/Help needed

[Pistolpete2543]

Hi guys, I have tried searching the forum but am getting more confused as nobody else seems to have the exact same problem. My car is a 2006 RS4 Avant, it has covered 79k miles. I sometimes have difficulty selecting first or reverse gears from stationary with the engine running, however with the engine off the gears are selected very smoothly and easily. I don't have any symptoms of a clutch issue such as slipping, pedal sticking or juddering, and no smells of burning clutch so I am wondering if the slave cylinder could be the cause? Other than this specific annoyance, the car drives beautifully and the gearbox is lovely to use with light clutch pedal and smooth gearchanges.

The brake fluid was replaced and system fully bled during recent major service at the Audi Dealership, so I do not think this is a clutch bleeding issue as both systems are linked and I had the symptoms before the service.

Any advice on how to determine the fault? I believe the slave cylinder is a bit of a nightmare to replace and is normally done during a clutch change, so don't want to spend a few hundred quid changing that to still have the issue and require a new clutch anyway?

[Robnic]

Sounds very much like the clutch is 'dragging' bud - doesn't fully disengage making gear selection with the engine running difficult.

I would change the clutch - not too an expensive job if the DMF (flywheel) is ok, change the slave cyl, again not expensive - if you read the later part of my thread, change the problematic clutch pipe as well

Rob

[Pistolpete2543]

Thanks for that, I think it's pointing towards a clutch change due. Not bad for 79k on the original I guess.

My next question, what to do about replacement. I want to stick with OEM set up. I can get LUK clutch kit and Sachs slave cylinder from Eurocarparts at the minute with discount code for £156 which seems very cheap. I cannot find a replacement DMF unless I order from the States. Does anyone know where to source one in the UK?

Audi are also quoting fixed price of £999 for a clutch replacement (not inc DMF). This doesn't seem too bad given the labour involved and also 2 year warranty on parts, so some peace of mind. I am guessing they would only fit a genuine flywheel which would be huge money.

Other than the clutch return pipe and slave cylinder, what else should be replaced? Guide sleeve? Retaining plate?
I obviously want to keep the costs down but don't want to be doing this job for another 70k miles so prefer to make sure it's 100%. I've read the Audi parts are LUK anyway, but is there a different quality level on the Eurocarparts kit?

[R1RS4]

Hi there,

With the Audi price, there are a few add on's, they will charge you for an updated clutch release arm, release bearing sleeve and o ring, plus bolts

The new DMF (077) you can get from Rockauto who will ship it from the States about 4 working days, it's the same part Audi fit, currently about £270 then it's £60 shipping and £60 import duty

Same dilemma really, change the clutch then find some time after DMF plays up?

Good luck

[Pistolpete2543]

Thanks for the info, Rockauto is the site I have seen it. I will definitely do the DMF when the clutch is done. I'll give Audi a ring and talk it through with them, otherwise it'll be local specialist Indy and I'll get the ECP clutch kit, slave cylinder and DMF from Rockauto.

[Robnic]

LUK is fitted as O.E. so fine with that, part number is 624 3311 00, as said I would recommend replacing the guide tube (sleeve) and release arm as well as the slave clyinder and pipe - you can fit a modified pipe which is cheaper than an O.E. one and instead of being rubber is a teflon inner with stainless overbraid - more resistant to the heat which over time can cause the rubber ones to fail internally restricting the fluid return causing the sticking pedal issue.

I would expect to pay around £650 at an independant for the clutch and fitting including vat but not including the additional parts above - again they are not too expensive, my personal preference would be an indy over main dealer but I run an indy so guess I would say that Unfortunately the only chap I know to recommend is in Cork which I think would be too far for you.

[R1RS4]

You might want to do the master too if your doing the lot, it's peanuts in comparison with the clutch fitting

[Pistolpete2543]

Thanks for the advice gents. I have ordered the LUK clutch kit, Sachs master and slave cylinders from ECP for £200, and just bit the bullet and ordered LUK DMF077 from Rockauto for £400. I'll head to TPS for the bolts, guide sleeve, o-rings, release arm etc. The parts list also shows a leaf spring and retaining plate, should all this be replaced?

And which return hose do I need as there are 2 part numbers?
8E0721465
8E2721465AG
I believe it is the top number which is the short right angled one, but this doesn't look like it is prone to collapse like the other one. I could of course be wrong.

[Pistolpete2543]

Can anyone confirm if I should replace this clutch line whilst doing the clutch:-
8E2721465AG
It's 70+vat from TPS

[rsParnell]

Did you get a new pipe in the end pete? Im the same boat, getting a DMF delivered friday from rockauto.

[Pistolpete2543]

Not yet, but my DMF has arrived from Rockauto. I think I will get the latest updated part number for this pipe and do it all at the same time.

[Pistolpete2543]

From another thread, the latest part number update is A8E2 721 465 BB

[Robnic]

Hi Pete,

If you wouldn't mind would you post a pic of the latest O.E. pipe up when you get it, just interested to see if they have actually modified it (I know it's only visual pipe material may be different) sometimes part number changes if they start buying in from a different source

tia

Rob

[rsParnell]

From another thread, the latest part number update is A8E2 721 465 BB

Cant find this dam hose anywhere, anyone with a link to a supplier?

[R1RS4]

From another thread, the latest part number update is A8E2 721 465 BB

Cant find this dam hose anywhere, anyone with a link to a supplier?

Have you tried your local Audi ? it's a non stock item so will take 1-3 days