Clutch Dying?

[DevPro]

What are the symptoms of a clutch on it's way out?

I've got a 3.0R-B 6sp MT. It's a MY07 with 72K clicks on the clock. I'm just noticing on take-off in 1st, a slight shudder sensation, particularly when taking off on a hill. I can kind of avoid it with more gas, but by doing this I have to let the clutch out too slow to avoid a jolty kind of take-off.

This is the only time I have any issue, no slipping of the clutch in normal driving.

Thoughts?

[Robbks]

72K is a bit premature for a clutch, but depending on the previous owner/ usage.

mine has done 125K and teh clutch was almost down to the rivets
a new customised Sachs unit from Jim Berry and i'm a hpappy camper again

your flywheel may need a machine or there may be some uneven wear on the clutch.
it could even be down to a slightly leaky rear main seal/ gearbox seal allowing some oil onto the flywheel and causing the shudder (i had this in my GT forester)

[DevPro]

Thanks for response, I'll mention it to the dealership at next service.

[Dropz]

Shuddering is a sign of a worn clutch or hotspots and heat cracks on the pressure plate and/or flywheel.

A bit pricey from a dealership (I think we quote about $700 fitted inc parts and machining of the flywheel, but that is for 4cyls)

You may also notice a heavy pedal which is another symptom of a worn clutch.

72k isn't premature, I find most Subaru's need a clutch by about 80,000km, although I would put it down to the driver as we do have a few come in closer to 100,000km.

[Robbks]

trade price on a genuine Subaru 6sp clutch is over $700 alone,
add a days labour and you won't get change from $1500 from a dealership

[smythie]

and that's without changing the dual mass flywheel if it needs doing (which it seems it often does on these 6 speeds).

Fwiw, mine is close to 145,000km. Don't know if the clutch was changed in the first 83,000km before I bought it but I haven't really noticed any change in the feel of it aside from a slight lengthening over a period of a couple of weeks when Audrey was driving it last year (she used to slip it a fair bit at times). Since changing her driving style there has been no change.

[Robbks]

6 speed does not have a DMF.

[Vladsta]

Hi guys,
I've got an 07 3.0rb with about 100 clicks on it and recently the clutch has startet to shudder when taking off...

I'm struggling to figure out if it has a dual mass or single flywheel in it, I've spoken to the Subaru stealership in docklands and they tell me that it's a "flexible" flywheel whatever that means, then I called Mentone and they said that it's a DMF and needs to be converted to a SMF - They sell the complete kit (inc SMF) for about $1000...

I've also spoken to several brake places and literally half of them say it's a DMF and the other half say it's not...

I want to get the parts from the US because it's about half the price and need decide whether to order the flywheel...
Finally, if anyone has any experience with these, could you recommend what's best between genuine (SMF or DMF) (which is also about 50% cheaper from the US), the Exedy heavy duty or the Xtreem kits?

It's really just the daily with a little mild abuse - but honestly I've been reasonably happy with the clutch until now...

Cheers,

[kleinerbastler]

I´ve bought the Exedy 15803HD und Flywheel FF501 (shipped 990US$ as kit), the stuff will be installed next week. The clutch should hold until 400lb/ft.
I found the basics at http://www.exedy.com.au, there are other numbers but i´ve talked with a girl from exedy US and she gave me the numbers for the us parts.
If every thing will fit perfect - next week i will see (and hopefully feel).

Ingmar

[Vladsta]

kleinerbastler how did you go, did it fit, how does it drive?

Did yours have a dual mass flywheel?
Very curious...

Cheers,

[kleinerbastler]

I got the car back today.
The clutch fits perfect no installation problems. Driving - you have to learn driving again. You need a left sura like Arnie, but if it drives, it´s nice shifting.
The lighter flywheel is feelable, faster spooling - great. But if your girlfriend have to drive the car you have to think twice.

[Kekotic]

Removed

[kleinerbastler]

Always

The original flywheel looks like the Exedy one -> single mass.

[smythie]

But if your girlfriend have to drive the car you have to think twice.

Don't you always?

Nup. She's as good a driver as any in here

[KWICKS]

This is what a shagged clutch looks like from a 3RB. It does NOT have a DMF in the 3RB. This clutch got 120000kms, but probably should have been replaced 10000kms ago. If you look closely the clutch material has worn down to the rivets and that purple colour on the centre of the plate shouldn't be there, basically its been getting way too hot in there! There was very little feel difference as it went, EXCEPT under WOT in first gear when there was slippage (loss of power down).

Sorry, crappy phone pic.