Is it a clutch failure ?

[CoupeWannabeS2]

Thanks for your comments, I'm working on a few "leads" for people to work on my car. Its sods law that the S2 broke the day after I sold my old car (a very reliable 2ltr Audi coupe).

At least I have the cash from the sale to sort the repairs with.

Notice that people are mentioning a thrust bearing going through the pressure plate. Does that mean that a thrust bearing will need replacing ? Please excuse my lack of knowledge about the clutch.

[ericd]

CoupeWannabeS2, the same happened to my '95 ABY three weeks ago (thrust bearing through the pressure plate), altough I drove mine to the garage just using second gear and a bit of heavy wear on the starter motor.

The bad news I'm afraid is that it was 7 hours labour and a bill of around £720!!

Hope yours is cheaper and that you are back on the road soon.

£730 sounds like a bargain if it includes the parts . wouldn't do it again for double that.
IMHO it's a job you need to trust to somebody whose hopefullly done one before and knows what complications can arise, usuallly the actual clutch change is the simplest straightforward part of the job, steering , exhaust, mountings and anything else seem to cause the most problems, I'd get a new slave cylinder when you're buying the clutch kit.

[Jan]

CoupeWannabeS2, the same happened to my '95 ABY three weeks ago (thrust bearing through the pressure plate), altough I drove mine to the garage just using second gear and a bit of heavy wear on the starter motor.

The bad news I'm afraid is that it was 7 hours labour and a bill of around £720!!

Hope yours is cheaper and that you are back on the road soon.

[dan_b]

You can let the engine idle in neutral whilst being towed. That way the brakes and steering will be ok.

Now there is someone thinking outside of the box! I had to be towed once, fuel pump failure, so obviously that wasn't an option, I can testify for the heaviness and non-effectualness of the steering and brakes with no power assistance...

[audiman]

gearbox comes out WITHOUT taking engine out

clutch kits contain, release bearing, clutch cover and clutch plate, all the parts

[nothelle300]

hi reading through this thread as i think/hope! that my clutch has gone to,so that its not the gearbox which is at fault!Had a look on eurocarparts and they have a sachs clutch kit 240mm would this be what i need to replace the clutch or do i need further parts?
many thanks
dean.
Oh also doe you have to remove the engine of can you drop the gearbox out behind on a 3b?
thanks
dean

[ericd]

yep sounds like the thrust bearing has gone through the pressure plate

quite common failure mode, cheapest part seen a few that have went , including mine ...

[audiman]

good idea, was going on my experience (something in the engine bay not working!!)

[4WheelDrifter]

You can let the engine idle in neutral whilst being towed. That way the brakes and steering will be ok.

[audiman]

yeah system is fine to be towed, as long as all wheels are on the ground. Its no different to driving the car using the engine!!! Be warned tho as the steering is very very heavy and the brakes will be *****.

Find a pro IMO

[CoupeWannabeS2]

Hmmm, sounds like I better track down a professional. Would anyone know a mechanic local to Ipswich in Suffolk who they could recommend for the job ?

Another concern is how to move the car, am I right in thinking I should not tow the car due to the 4x4 system ? Can it be towed if you dont travel too far ?

[audiman]

Its not an easy job to carry out on the ABY. 3B is easier.
Not sure if you live near anyone with experience of these cars, but if you do then let them do the job. Audi will charge you way over the top, your average mechanic may look at the job and say no way. I have done a good many of these now and they take approx 6-8 hours, depending on how bad/hard it is to remove the exhaust downpipe and cats. Bolts that hold it all together corrode like hell and sometimes you have to remove front subframe to remove DP and cats as one, then separate them once on the floor using a grinder to cut all the bolts!

Be scared of people offering to do the job for cheapo price, it usually means they have no idea what they are doing here (mind turns back to just such a case at a Mr.Clutch branch).

If you are a novice, i would not recommend this job.

As for what is wrong, it does sound like clutch failure. But on the ABY make sure the clutch fitter checks that the flywheel is OK.

HTH

[CoupeWannabeS2]

Thanks for the responses, is it a difficult job to do ?

Would it be a repair that most mechanics can handle or would I be best locating someone who has worked on this type of car before ?

Alternatively could a novice fix the car, I have a few spanners.

[pastures16]

yep sounds like the thrust bearing has gone through the pressure plate

[GT500]

If the pedal is feeling similar to when it was ok, ie not spongey. Then it sounds like a cluth plate faliure. There have been a few reported on here, symptoms similar to yours, was fine next press not working.

Box out job