How Long Should a Clutch Last?

[Uwon]

2006 C2S, All highway driving. From past experience with my cars, I know that I am gentle on my clutch/trani. 108,000 miles on original clutch. Pedal travel is still 2.5-3.0 inches from floor to start of engagement. I do not think that pedal effort has increased. Am I on borrowed time? 

Thoughts?

Thanks in advance.

Johan

[Loren]

I had a 76 911 that I tracked (a lot) and it's clutch had more than 135,000 on it and was still strong. So I think a good part is how you treat it. Power shifts trying to make the tires chirp is a sure way to abuse the clutch as are drag strip starts.

 

Likely first step is to change your brake/clutch fluid if you have not done so in the last two years. Then see what you have.

 

 

[Uwon]

Loren, I’ve had similar experience with my old 911 which I also tracked extensively.

I do change the brake fluid by-annually (and slave bleeding)  last one this spring, with no change in pedal feel nor engagement.  From your comment, are you suggesting that my pedal engagement should be higher than 2.5-3.0 inches from the floor? Do these clutches finally granade without warning or do they gradually make first gear engagement progressively more difficult from a standing start? I just  am unfamiliar as to what I’m likely to expect.

[Loren]

1 hour ago, Uwon said:

Loren, I’ve had similar experience with my old 911 which I also tracked extensively.

I do change the brake fluid by-annually (and slave bleeding)  last one this spring, with no change in pedal feel nor engagement.  From your comment, are you suggesting that my pedal engagement should be higher than 2.5-3.0 inches from the floor? Do these clutches finally granade without warning or do they gradually make first gear engagement progressively more difficult from a standing start? I just  am unfamiliar as to what I’m likely to expect.

 

Usually (on a 996) the clutch release point is very high - near the top of the pedal. That is normal for a 996.

When the clutch plate is going (or nearly gone) the clutch pedal will get harder. That has been my experience.

[Uwon]

I’m probably at least 4 inches from the top!! Isn’t the 996 and 997.1 clutch mechanism the same?

[Loren]

Yes.