B7 RS4 Clutch Problem

[DJ_Marvin]

Has anyone else with a B7 RS4 had problems with the clutch?

Mine started about 10 months ago when after some body repair the car came back with a strange issue where the car would struggle to get into gear..... As if the selector was pushing against something. (17k mainly motorway miles) - I personally think the chav in the body repair garage had some fun on the carpark with this one.

Also felt like the clutch wasnt pressed down far enough.... When it was actually mashed into the carpet.

Once coaxed into gear it would pull away fine with gentle lift of the pedal...... Audi took the car in for some other minor issue and sorted it (never explained exact issue).

Now this issue has come back (9 months and 9k miles later) and they are saying it needs another clutch (ANOTHER!!! I said, I was never told it was replaced).......This time they are saying I need to pay for it (no costs yet).

Someone on another thread mentioned a Clutch recall.... Can anyone shed a little light on this please to possibly save me huge bill.

Any help, info or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers
Dave

[reevesroadster]

I havent heard of the issues you are describing.

The clutch recall is for the pipes only, as they collapse when the car is driven hard/the oil gets hot.

Symptoms are the clutch pedalling disappearing under your feet ,to the floor, and only coming back when the car returnes to idle. Intermittently the clutch pedal will drop slightly when driving and this doesnt affect the driving of the car.

[DJ_Marvin]

Thanks for that Reeves

The garage has now said I've burnt the clutch out and I've got to cough up..... First one is free, second is taking the pi55 aparently

£2100 wasnt what I was expecting - However due to the amount of $$$ I've spent with them before theyre going to pay 50% as a good will gesture. Why thanks!!!

They actually showed me the clutchplate and flywheel I'd "burnt out" and it didnt look that different to the new one to be honest - I'd say 1-2mm more material on the new one, the grooves were worn off the old one which they said indicates its gone!! yeah right (i'm no expert though).

He also tried to tell me that a slight blue, and I mean very slight blueness to the flywheel indicates its been "hot" - Like anything thats holding back a 4.2 V8 isnt going to get "slightly warm".

Just so anyone who's interested can keep updated I'll update the thread with any changes.

Thanks again for the reply....

[approved]

that clutch sounds expensive..i'd be tempted to put something uprated in instead?

you obviously enjoy your car, so an uprated number might last a bit longer too!

http://www.autops.co.uk/html/audi_rs4_b7.html

[ChrisRS4]

I'm having simliar issues with mine at the moment. Apparently it was the clutch master and slave cylinders, although it was returned to me broken and still with a clutch that felt like an on/off switch. They're now looking to replace switches and pedal boxes.

If it's feeling like you need to mash the pedal into the floor, then it sounds more like a hydraulic issue than your clutch going.

[b7rs4saloon]

Do not pay for it!
I had a massive problem with clutches on my last RS4. 5 of them to be exact!
There is an underlying issue that causes the clutch to drag as it is being released, thus causing slippage and wear.

In the end Audi had my old car back, full refund time.

In my experience, it is a clutch hose that is at fault?

[b7rs4saloon]

For your info. The clutch and flywheel had melted together on my car, still replaced under warranty.
Ok, I was driving it hard, but its an RS4, supposed to be driven that way, never launched it, infact i am very careful in 1st because of the amount of torque!

[ChrisRS4]

I'm having more and more clutch issues at the moment, and I'm not sure it's worth starting another thread, but can anyone help?

The bite point on the thing has become really short, un-progressive, and all the way down to the floor when the thing is cold. So far I've had the master and slave cylinders replaced, fluids replaced, and the pedal box spring damper renewed. I was told the clutch itself was in good condition, with not signs of excessive wear.

In general, the car is pretty jerky when pushing it hard and it's really annoying. (Not nearly as annoying as three weeks in a convertible A4 diesel - bendy, clattery, womans car)

[b7rs4saloon]

Have they replaced the clutch fluid return pipes? I am sure that this is a know problem, but not many dealers are sure of it?

When i had all of the problems with mine, there was bulitin about it? In the end the the pipes were replaced aswel as the gearbox. The problem being that the input shaft was bent???

[lengster1]

If its had a new clutch it wil have 2yrs parts and labour warranty from audi dont pay anything! Sounds more like a master cylinder issue