Mr K
Member
My release bearing has been making noises when cold for a year or so, so I thought it was time to get my hands dirty. I have my 3-part LuK clutch kit as recommended by many, and I took off the gearbox last weekend. The car is low mileage at 97k miles , but coming up to 17 years old. Anyway, I found the crankshaft oil seal was keeping the oil in and looking in great condition. There's no sign of a leak from the gearbox input shaft seal. Basically, everythings fine apart from the release bearing.
The clutch friction plate has enough life for another 150k miles, consistent with reports from the high mileage club (measuing depth to rivets, new vs old). The pressure plate is fine, and hasn't been damaged by the occasionally sticky release bearing. They're the original parts, Audi-branded LuK components, by the way. I'm half tempted to throw the lot back together with only a new release bearing, but will use the full 3-part kit as I'm not skint.
The release fork, ball stud (with red nylon top), retaining spring are all good, I mean very good. The flywheel is in great shape, with a very smooth and flat mating surface. Regarding the flywheel bolts, the manual says replace, but apparently most pro mechanics re-use, with threadlock of course. That's my intention, having done so with other cars in the past - anyone done this and regretted it?
I'm pondering replacing the crankshaft oil seal and gearbox input shaft seal, but we don't do many miles in this car - only 2-3k pa. Looking at the high mileage threads, almost no-one is reporting seal failure. If it's not happening below 130k miles we'll be good for another 10 years. I'm seeing conflicting advice on more general forums. Lots of experienced folk saying don't change if not leaking. Others saying crankshaft oil seals last 100k miles, so replace (more generally, not necessarily applicable to TDis). I'm concerned about ending up with a leak if I do replace them - if it ain't broke, etc. Plus there's the green issue - don't replace good parts...
Any advice based on high mileage experience please? Will be putting it back in at the weekend (Sat 13th Nov 2021 if you're reading this after then
)
Incidentally, I have some tips for getting the gearbox off, using a trolley jack with the car on axle stands. Would have saved me a lot of time. I went by the manual, Depronman's advice and youtuber Der Autohandlerin (she has a 2-part clutch change series and main seal swap vids). Basically, take out the RH drive flange from the diff. Single bolt, 6mm hex. 25Nm when it goes back. You lose a bit of gear oil, but it means you can pull the box straight back, and you don't need to remove that almost inaccessible small plate from the shield between the engine & gearbox. Well worth doing if you don't have a lift and a gearbox jack.
Picture of the Audi/BRUSS seal (p/n 038103171B)
The clutch friction plate has enough life for another 150k miles, consistent with reports from the high mileage club (measuing depth to rivets, new vs old). The pressure plate is fine, and hasn't been damaged by the occasionally sticky release bearing. They're the original parts, Audi-branded LuK components, by the way. I'm half tempted to throw the lot back together with only a new release bearing, but will use the full 3-part kit as I'm not skint.
The release fork, ball stud (with red nylon top), retaining spring are all good, I mean very good. The flywheel is in great shape, with a very smooth and flat mating surface. Regarding the flywheel bolts, the manual says replace, but apparently most pro mechanics re-use, with threadlock of course. That's my intention, having done so with other cars in the past - anyone done this and regretted it?
I'm pondering replacing the crankshaft oil seal and gearbox input shaft seal, but we don't do many miles in this car - only 2-3k pa. Looking at the high mileage threads, almost no-one is reporting seal failure. If it's not happening below 130k miles we'll be good for another 10 years. I'm seeing conflicting advice on more general forums. Lots of experienced folk saying don't change if not leaking. Others saying crankshaft oil seals last 100k miles, so replace (more generally, not necessarily applicable to TDis). I'm concerned about ending up with a leak if I do replace them - if it ain't broke, etc. Plus there's the green issue - don't replace good parts...
Any advice based on high mileage experience please? Will be putting it back in at the weekend (Sat 13th Nov 2021 if you're reading this after then
)Incidentally, I have some tips for getting the gearbox off, using a trolley jack with the car on axle stands. Would have saved me a lot of time. I went by the manual, Depronman's advice and youtuber Der Autohandlerin (she has a 2-part clutch change series and main seal swap vids). Basically, take out the RH drive flange from the diff. Single bolt, 6mm hex. 25Nm when it goes back. You lose a bit of gear oil, but it means you can pull the box straight back, and you don't need to remove that almost inaccessible small plate from the shield between the engine & gearbox. Well worth doing if you don't have a lift and a gearbox jack.
Picture of the Audi/BRUSS seal (p/n 038103171B)
