5kcstq clutch job, TO bearing

[auditude at neta.com]

Hey all,

Since some are discussing Type 44 clutch parts going out, I think,
it reminded me of something I wanted to mention.

As I triumphantly began separating the tranny from the motor on
my '88 5kcstq last weekend, I heard all kinds of little pieces of
metal falling about.  As I pulled it away, most of the little ball
bearings from the throwout bearing fell out onto the floor.

The throwout bearing started making noise, which is why I parked
the car and started the clutch saga.  While I do that, I'm going to
swap the steering rack from my donor car into it.

The TO bearing looks pretty bad.  The sheet metal that used to
hold the bearing is was all galled-looking.  It basically looked like I
would expect from the way it sounded.

The flywheel shows discoloration and an uneven surface.  I guess
this would be due to the extreme heat of me drag racing?  The
pressure plate has a marking on it that seems to indicate it was
produced in '87 making it the original clutch with 160k on it.  The
flywheel has a decent amount of dust accumulation around it's
inside edge.

The disc itself wasn't bad, there was still some meat on it before
the rivets were flush.  I don't remember noticing if the little
dampening springs were still tight.  (On my Saturn SL2, I changed
that clutch out at 130k, and some of those little springs were
totally loose in their little housings.  That clutch had seen a few
drags too.)

The pressure plate fingers looked to be highly polished, with only a
little actual wear.  (The PP from the above mentioned non-Audi was
significantly worn thin and would have lost the tips eventually.  To
is credit, the plastic-housed TO bearing was intact on that car.)

I would have to say that the clutch is in pretty darn good shape for
both the age and mileage.  If labor was free and parts were
expensive, I would replace just the TO bearing.  But of course it's
not and I don't want to have to pull a 5kcstq tranny anytime soon,
so I'll be replacing all the usual suspects.

The clutch might have lasted even longer, had it not been treated to
 the 160k wakeup call that I gave the (whole car and myself too)
when I chipped/wg'ed it.  But then again, the bearing might just dry
out and start failing after 12 years.

By the way, when they lightened the flywheels for the MC-2
motors, did they just get rid of that whole meaty edge, and just
lengthen the timing pins?  It almost seems that way, comparing
the two (not side-by-side).  I haven't seen a 200q clutch yet, but I
imagine the pressure plate looks totally different, like domed
instead of flat?

The question that pops up is whether that whole big meaty edge
can be machined off and longer pins installed, to be used with the
newer style clutch?  I'm just curious, this go around my 5kcstq will
be getting a stock clutch.

Cheers!

Ken