transimission-Clutch replacement?

[996C4SC]

I was just driving back home on the freeway and my transmission won't engage in 5th... the rpm almost passed the reds/limter but lucky I realized it and back off on the gas pedal. I downshifted to 4th and it was ok but feel like it's barely engaging so I stop to the side of the freeway and see I can engage in the other gears and it's also feel like it's barely engaging. After that I just kind of limb home on the inner roads. Is this mean my clutch is toasted? I have 75K on the C4 cab with some AXs. I have never had a clutch went out on me before since my previous cars were either sold before I have to replace a clutch or automatics. Does anyone have any sugguestions for on a transmission shop around Santa Clara CA area beside the dealer? What is the average cost to change the OEM clutch or maybe any upgarde clutch sugguestions if it is a clutch job...? Thanks in Advance.

[pat056]

I would suspect clutch before transmission. I would think with 75k miles, it's about time for clutch wear to show. I have 70k on mine and am noticing some shifting problems. I'm gonna bleed mine this week, but feel like I'll be putting a clutch in withen 5k miles.

I would like to hear some costs estimates myself...

[996C4SC]

I would suspect clutch before transmission. I would think with 75k miles, it's about time for clutch wear to show. I have 70k on mine and am noticing some shifting problems. I'm gonna bleed mine this week, but feel like I'll be putting a clutch in withen 5k miles.

I would like to hear some costs estimates myself...

Non-dealer Porsche shop quote me $1500 for clutch replacment. I will call the dealer maybe this week to see what the different is. If it's not too great than I probably go with dealer. But I will look at the linkage first myself before all that to make sure it's not a simple linkage problem.

[pat056]

996C4SC (or anyone else)

"I would check the linkage 1st before all that and make sure it's not a simple linkage problem"

Anyone have a pic or diagram of specifically what I need to be looking for when I check the linkage?

I drove the 996 last night and either my shifting skills are degrading fast or my clutch (?) issue is getting worse.

I plant to get underneath the car ASAP and bleed clutch and check everything out. The issue I'm noticing is I'll shift from 1st to 2nd and think I'm in gear fine, let out the clutch only to hear the gears grind and realize I'm not in 2nd gear like I thought.

[996C4SC]

996C4SC (or anyone else)

"I would check the linkage 1st before all that and make sure it's not a simple linkage problem"

Anyone have a pic or diagram of specifically what I need to be looking for when I check the linkage?

I drove the 996 last night and either my shifting skills are degrading fast or my clutch (?) issue is getting worse.

I plant to get underneath the car ASAP and bleed clutch and check everything out. The issue I'm noticing is I'll shift from 1st to 2nd and think I'm in gear fine, let out the clutch only to hear the gears grind and realize I'm not in 2nd gear like I thought.

I probably look at it this weekend but if you look couple of topics down you will see someone got the gear stuck in third and there are some information there: http://www.renntech.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=16213

I will post what I find after I check it out. Sounds like you are in the same boat. Let me know also what you find out...Thanks

[pat056]

I think you're. right! I think some (hopefully not all) will apply to me.

More news to follow...

Pat

[pat056]

Update:

I studied the work Straspec did on replacing his cable (thanks for a very thorough DYI w/pics.), looking specifically at the linkages. I got under my car last night and had my pit crew (wife) go through the gears so I could watch everything work. Everything seemed tight and looked almost new. I didn't get inside the console.

I then did a quick clutch bleed. I saw that my fluid level was at the max mark, so I just hooked up the Motive w/o adding any fluid, pressurized the line to 15 psi, and bled about 2 oz. of fluid through the line (this took the fluid from the max. to the min. mark). I then topped of the fluid w/ATE Blue. No problems with the bleeding and I must say, the clutch seems to work noticably better. I really wasn't a believer that bleeding the clutch was much more than pm, but it seems to work OK now.

I'll flush the system this weekend, bleeding the brakes and rebleed the clutch, using ATE blue until all's blue at each bleed point. I figure that's all bleeding can do.

[996C4SC]

I just order the aliminum linkage since I am going to open it up mightess well do an upgrade. Have not crawl under the car yet but will do it as soon as it comes in. This will also give me an incentive to do the work. :rolleyes:

Any update on your fix? Still holding up I hope. I am playing with the idea of changing the clutch myself if that's the casue and if I can find a lift somewhere...

[pat056]

Actually, so far, so good. I can't imagine just a quick bleed would help the shifting...guess I had some air in the line.

I would think a clutch install is an agressive weekend project.

Good luck and let me know how it goes?

[996C4SC]

Finally got a chance to figure out what the problem is. I took the center console out to check the linkage and everything looks OK. So I jacked the car up and crawl under to check it out and found the linkage has came off the mount. I must drove over something on the freeway and knock it right off. The clip was twisted and a piece was broken off one end so I will need to order another clip to replace it. Whew, at least I don't have to change the clutch just yet. :) I did received the aluminum linkage so this is the chance to replace the plastic one. Hopefully dealer have it in stock...