Due For A Clutch Change On 1999 Carrera 6Speed

[Hroussard]

I have a '99 996 Carrera 6-speed with 71K miles on the clock and finally need to replace the clutch. Time to browse Renntech :-)

I see clutch kits ( EOM) for about 530 dollars discounted, Sachs kits for a little bit more and very little suggestions on perhaps " the ultimate" clutch. I have seen some articles around adding the RMS replacement to the job as well as adding the throw-out bearing replacement.

So, what is the latest, folks?? I do like the fact that the factory clutch lasted 70K mile, that is is easy to use (flexible and not too stiff/hard), Also, I have seen a few small drops of oil under the car which seems to diminish or completely stop when I drive the car a lot ( it's a daily driver) and from what I see, the latest RMS seal may do the trick - I am still confused about using the GT3 seal versus flipping the seal around etc. Love to get the latest on this one too. And finally, I want to know if I should change some other parts such as plugs for instance... I am in San Mateo, CA and if you have a good shop you can recommend, please let me know too.

[ivangene]

without going all postal on you - here is my advise... if you are going in there 100% replace the IMS bearing and check out cam/IMS chain and IMS/Crank chain tensioners - replace case bolts that can be reached (around 4 of them IIRC) and change your AOS

leaks can be from these places and the IMS bearing is the #1 think on my list of things to do to any 996 that doesnt have it done

[ALLSPEED]

You don't have to tear apart the whole engine just to replace the clutch, RMS, and throw out bearing. Where do you what to stop. Replace everything that anyone on here has ever seen go bad ? Examine everything you can get to but beware of doing too many unnecessary replacements. Sometime you will read about how horrible this and that design is and find in reality that there haven't really been that many failures. Ask Loren or RFM what they would check at that many miles. Good Lucj,Robert

[Loren]

I have a '99 996 Carrera 6-speed with 71K miles on the clock and finally need to replace the clutch. Time to browse Renntech :-)

I see clutch kits ( EOM) for about 530 dollars discounted, Sachs kits for a little bit more and very little suggestions on perhaps " the ultimate" clutch. I have seen some articles around adding the RMS replacement to the job as well as adding the throw-out bearing replacement.

So, what is the latest, folks?? I do like the fact that the factory clutch lasted 70K mile, that is is easy to use (flexible and not too stiff/hard), Also, I have seen a few small drops of oil under the car which seems to diminish or completely stop when I drive the car a lot ( it's a daily driver) and from what I see, the latest RMS seal may do the trick - I am still confused about using the GT3 seal versus flipping the seal around etc. Love to get the latest on this one too. And finally, I want to know if I should change some other parts such as plugs for instance... I am in San Mateo, CA and if you have a good shop you can recommend, please let me know too.

I think the latest 997 RMS seal is fine. But I would not touch it if it is dry - too many bad seal installs cause RMS leaks rather than avoiding them.

Check everything you can see flywheel surface, throw-out bearing, IMS seal. Again if the IMS seal is dry I would leave it alone too.

Consider Rector Porsche in Burlingame - Peter Smith is the shop foreman there and has over 20 years Porsche experience.

Otherwise consider RMG Enterprises in Sunnyvale - Dan, Dan or Bob are all very experienced (yes, two Dans).

[Hroussard]

I have a '99 996 Carrera 6-speed with 71K miles on the clock and finally need to replace the clutch. Time to browse Renntech :-)

I see clutch kits ( EOM) for about 530 dollars discounted, Sachs kits for a little bit more and very little suggestions on perhaps " the ultimate" clutch. I have seen some articles around adding the RMS replacement to the job as well as adding the throw-out bearing replacement.

So, what is the latest, folks?? I do like the fact that the factory clutch lasted 70K mile, that is is easy to use (flexible and not too stiff/hard), Also, I have seen a few small drops of oil under the car which seems to diminish or completely stop when I drive the car a lot ( it's a daily driver) and from what I see, the latest RMS seal may do the trick - I am still confused about using the GT3 seal versus flipping the seal around etc. Love to get the latest on this one too. And finally, I want to know if I should change some other parts such as plugs for instance... I am in San Mateo, CA and if you have a good shop you can recommend, please let me know too.

I think the latest 997 RMS seal is fine. But I would not touch it if it is dry - too many bad seal installs cause RMS leaks rather than avoiding them.

Check everything you can see flywheel surface, throw-out bearing, IMS seal. Again if the IMS seal is dry I would leave it alone too.

Consider Rector Porsche in Burlingame - Peter Smith is the shop foreman there and has over 20 years Porsche experience.

Otherwise consider RMG Enterprises in Sunnyvale - Dan, Dan or Bob are all very experienced (yes, two Dans).

AMEN

[Hroussard]

Thanks everyone.

HarryR

[DaveFL1976]

What's generally the warning signs on 996's that you need a new clutch?

[Loren]

What's generally the warning signs on 996's that you need a new clutch?

Driving - slippage.

Either the pedal gets very hard to press and/or you hear noise from the bell housing.

[Hroussard]

Clutch feels soft, clutch pick-up (engagement) is all over the map and inconsistent. Those are the first signs . Then, clutch pick-up becomes irratic and you will start stalling the car because of it. The next thing is that the clutch will actually slip when accelerating quickly and / or going up-hill or in general quick starts. The last stage is when the clutch start slipping during normal driving and when accelerating in traffic. Thereafter is smells like burned dollar bills to the tune of 2500 bucks or so.