[s-cars] S4 (B5) clutch question(long)

[Mark Strangways]

Not to knock anyone here.

I am surprised you guys just did not drive it home the way it was.
It is easy to shift a car with out a clutch, the only issues is at lights. 
Then  you just shut it down, then start it in gear.
Years ago I broke a cable clutch cable, I just drove it around until I had 
the money to buy the cable.
Normally a "worn" clutch has no problem going in and out of gear, just 
problems moving.
Sounds like a throughout bearing issue, or like they said "a failure" of the 
pressure plate.
If the release fingers broke on a pressure plate I think I would be 
screaming for a warranty claim.

Anyways just my 2 cents worth.

Mark
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "William Perron" <w_perron at yahoo.com>
To: <s-car-list at audifans.com>
Sent: Thursday, May 10, 2007 9:06 AM
Subject: [s-cars] S4 (B5) clutch question(long)


> Hey Guys-
> Posting this here for a friend becasuse I know some of
> you have, or have had experience with the B5 S4.
>
> Car--2001.5 S4, 57k miles, normally driven(not beat
> on)
> Problem- In parking lot after work car would not go
> into gear.  Towed to dealership (car is a CPO).
> Dealership looks at it for 10 minutes and says it is
> likely pressure plate failure(apparently common?!!).
> It will not be covered by CPO because it is a "wear
> item" and will be $2600 for R&R.   Decide we will be
> diagnosing and repairing this ourselves.
>
> Interesting part--  Rent a trailer to get it home.
> Decide to try and see if we can get it up on the
> trailer under its own power.  Start car, clutch in and
> the car goes into reverse no problem.  Back out of the
> spot it is in.  Clutch in--this time it will not go
> into gear.  Turn off car. Put in 1st, clutch in and
> start car.  Everything normal--drive car up onto
> trailer.
>
> Questions:
> 1.  Does this seem like a Pressure plate if it heals
> itself?  My guess is it is hydraulic since it *seems*
> to be intermittant.  Tried pumping the clutch when it
> wouldn't go into gear--but this didn't help??  Any
> other diagnosis tips? (saw Vincent's explanation the
> other day--which has been helpful)
> 2.  If it is the pressure plate--we are planning on
> upgrading to the RS4 clutch and PP.  Can anyone verify
> that the RS4 PP (springs especially) are beefier?  We
> are hesitant to just put in a replacement stock
> clutch, as the parts guy said there haven't been any
> revisions to the PP despite the techs/others saying
> this is  a "common B5 S4 problem".
>
> Thanks for listening,
> Bill Perron
> Current Audis:
> '95.5 S6 Wagon
> '97 cabriolet
>
>
>
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