Possible clutch issues

3.0 V6 24v TFSI - 329 bhp
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pmj
2nd Gear
Posts: 194
Joined: Sat Apr 20, 2013 10:08 pm

Possible clutch issues

Post by pmj » Fri Jan 22, 2016 12:29 am

Can anyone let me know about the clutch on a B8 S4. Driving home tonight I was in 6th. Dropped it into 5th and. Floored it. The cars revs rose and I heard the supercharger whine. But the car didn't seem to accelerate as quick as it should. I actually thought I'd wheel spin in 5th. However it only happened twice and I could not replicate it again. In traffic it seems fine and there was no struggle getting any gear even reverse. Any idea. I searched the web but can't find an answer.

jerrys4
1st Gear
Posts: 61
Joined: Mon Dec 09, 2013 9:44 pm

Re: Possible clutch issues

Post by jerrys4 » Tue Jan 26, 2016 3:02 pm

I've had slippage with mine when I try to launch it off the line. but never had any issues with it in the higher gears. I bought a new clutch kit for it two years ago when it happened, but never fitted it yet. Mine is running around 400 dobins, and has now covered 123k with no in gear issues.

pmj
2nd Gear
Posts: 194
Joined: Sat Apr 20, 2013 10:08 pm

Re: Possible clutch issues

Post by pmj » Fri Jan 29, 2016 3:17 pm

Pretty convinced that the clutch needs replacing.,.. however with stage 2 MRC car not sure what route to take , uprated or standard and if the Flywheel will need replacing... any one got any tips on clutch kits that include the flywheel for the B8..?

S4_V6T
Neutral
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Joined: Thu Aug 07, 2014 11:00 am

Re: Possible clutch issues

Post by S4_V6T » Fri Jan 29, 2016 3:49 pm

My Review from audi sport forum:
More reading can be found at http://www.audi-sport.net/xf/threads/s4 ... ch.247370/

The only thing I would suggest from past experience is that it is worthwhile obtaining the uprated clutch fork from ECS as the older one is more prone to bending as I found out on 2 occasions https://www.ecstuning.com/Audi-B8_S4-Qu ... ES2211033/

REVIEW

I was in the same situation around 6 months ago and narrowed my choices down to either the Eurocode kit or the JHM kit.
I opted for the JHM kit as I was able to gather more solid information and was a little put off by the short life span (obviously dependent on driving style) of the Eurocode kit.

My initial review of the JHM kit:

Car has been running the APR stage 2+ software and hardware for just over 10,000 miles and the original clutch and flywheel had been holding up well until recently. Started to get sticky gear syndrome and was finding it increasingly difficult to shift into 1st gear and Reverse gear so knew it was time for a change.

Originally was intending on going down the OEM route and was quoted £1600 ($2500) for supply of clutch & flywheel along with installation cost. I am planning on keeping the car for a while so did not want the same problems occurring so decided to go after-market and started looking at upgraded alternatives (which there are only a few of).

After extensive research I ended up with the JHM Stage 3 Clutch and LWFW combo and had it installed around a week ago. Ordered from the UK and delivered within 3 days via Fed Ex from the US (Thank you Dru at JHM). The total customs charges and additional fees came to around £350 (or $550). So in total the clutch and LWFW combo plus shipping and taxes came to £1700 ($2660)

I had the kit installed at a local Audi/VAG specialist who I use and can highly recommend there work and was quoted 8 hours labour + master slave cylinder + gearbox seal. We agreed on a £550 ($860) fee.
The total time taken was around 10 hours (the extra 2 which I was not charged). So in total the cost of the Clutch/Flywheel and installation came to £2250 ($3530).

First impressions of the clutch and LWFW are extremely positive and the feel and bite of the pedal/clutch are extremely precise. It is a little bit easier to stall the car (only done once) but the silk smooth movement of the transmission has totally transformed the characteristics of the car and how the power seems to be delivered.

Review after break-in period:

After covering almost 1000 city miles I was able to give the clutch/flywheel some abuse over the last few days with some hard launches and some spirited driving. Cannot fault the setup whilst driving aggressively and it handled everything I threw at it.
It really has maintained almost all of the OEM drive-ability. As I mentioned in my previous post, the only time I have any negative feedback is when I am in the wrong gear, for example when in 5th or 6th gear travelling at 30mph then I put my foot to the floor. I experience vibrations that were not present in the OEM setup.
Overall I am extremely happy and would highly recommend to anyone who wishes/needs their clutch/flywheel changed or upgraded. Top marks to JHM

Review now covered over 6,000 miles

Clutch/flywheel still gets daily abuse and has never missed a beat. It definitely takes a little bit of getting used to over OEM.

As I stated early, I am sure both kits are well designed and will hold the extra power... I just wanted to make sure (or as much as I can) that I do not have to change the cluth/flywheel again hopefully.

Hope that helps you a bit.

jp-berwick
2nd Gear
Posts: 128
Joined: Mon Jul 13, 2009 7:20 pm

Re: Possible clutch issues

Post by jp-berwick » Sat Jan 30, 2016 7:40 am

pmj wrote:Can anyone let me know about the clutch on a B8 S4. Driving home tonight I was in 6th. Dropped it into 5th and. Floored it. The cars revs rose and I heard the supercharger whine. But the car didn't seem to accelerate as quick as it should. I actually thought I'd wheel spin in 5th. However it only happened twice and I could not replicate it again. In traffic it seems fine and there was no struggle getting any gear even reverse. Any idea. I searched the web but can't find an answer.
Mine did most of that and new clutch and DMF etc fixed.
2011, Metallic Blue, B8 S4, with the sports diff and 6 speed box :)

pmj
2nd Gear
Posts: 194
Joined: Sat Apr 20, 2013 10:08 pm

Re: Possible clutch issues

Post by pmj » Sun Jan 31, 2016 1:15 am

Waiting for some details and prices, but I am looking at a kit from the USA, the issue I have is not knowing whether to add the DMF to the fix as with that is a 2k replacement cost,

jp-berwick
2nd Gear
Posts: 128
Joined: Mon Jul 13, 2009 7:20 pm

Re: Possible clutch issues

Post by jp-berwick » Sun Jan 31, 2016 10:33 am

Well on mine there was a slight whine when the tech had it our so they put one in.

That was @ 49k miles just as I bought the car.

Mine got bad pretty quick after it slipped, or the previous owner new it was a gonna and traded it in. On the way up to the dealer I was using 2 hands at round about haha,
2011, Metallic Blue, B8 S4, with the sports diff and 6 speed box :)

pmj
2nd Gear
Posts: 194
Joined: Sat Apr 20, 2013 10:08 pm

Re: Possible clutch issues

Post by pmj » Wed Feb 03, 2016 9:48 pm

Anyone in the UK had dealings with this. http://www.ecodetuning.com/store/audi/s ... -4-2l.html

matthewspratt
Neutral
Posts: 1
Joined: Sun Feb 07, 2016 11:47 pm

Re: Possible clutch issues

Post by matthewspratt » Sun Feb 07, 2016 11:48 pm

Got the same problem...mine slips quite bad now
Running Mrc stage 2
Doug says stick with Audi parts

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R1RS4
5th Gear
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Location: South of England

Re: Possible clutch issues

Post by R1RS4 » Mon Feb 08, 2016 10:47 am

The OEM route is the route have gone down, and the DMF is fitted for a good reason, it takes the vabration and shock from the drive train

Whilst I understand why some go for an uprated clutch there's always a trade off, chatter on tick over, vibration on full load low revs, import warranty issues, etc

As regards prices

If you search the net, you can get the OEM, clutch kit, DMF, master, slave, connecting pipe, fork, bolts and o ring for £700 plus fitting £700, Where as the Stealers want £965 for fitting a clutch then another 1k for the DMF, and the master, slave and pipe, fork, are extra's
RS4 B7 Avant,2007
Metallic black, Black optics pack, Black gloss Wheels, Milltek black tipped -valved, MRC Installed TTS Supercharger 610ps/626nm, MRC stage 3 remap, CAF, DRC/SS+ with H&R spacers, carbon race splitter, carbon trim

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