Does this used clutch & DMF sound like it's worth buying ?

[muddyboots]

Hi all

I've been offered a used clutch & DMF that will fit my Passat TDI 130.

My existing clutch has been slipping off and on for a while, and soon the gearbox is getting changed as the diff bearings are going, so I was going to get a new clutch done at the same time.
My car is currently on 144k miles, and I assume it's the original clutch & DMF. Remapped for at least the last 60k of those miles, probably more.

The clutch & DMF I've been offered is from a car that's done 80k miles (stripped because of rear-end damage).
Description is as follows:

A geniune VW (made by LUK) clutch plate/pressure plate and flywheel assembly, 240mm.
Dual mass flywheel. For the 6spd gearbox (AVF code)

Very good condition, DMF has loads of life left in it (8 degrees of free play), as does the clutch (9mm thick pad). Never abused, no signs of overheating etc.

Complete with all mounting bolts etc.

Very expensive new, this was still lovely and smooth when removed from the car.

Asking £125 for complete assy.

As I only want the car to last me another year (20k miles), does this sound worthwhile, as opposed to getting a new clutch kit fitted ?
No idea whether those free play & thicknesses quoted are good or not !

Cheers
Lee

 

[JonLeonFr]

I'm having a brand new clutch an flywheel kit fitted tomorrow and the kit only cost £189.

For peace of mind I'd spend few extra quid and get a new 1 but it's your call

 

[Seatmann]

Yeh I wouldn't waste your time with a second hand one, you're just giving yourself twice as much work when it goes again and the dmf can take out a gear box too if it goes.

 

[MJ]

I'm having a brand new clutch an flywheel kit fitted tomorrow and the kit only cost £189.

whats it made of? straw?

 

[JonLeonFr]

Haha no it's a motor factors that is closing down due to the owner sadly passing away - just right place at right time

 

[MJ]

you are lucky with that one mate - the dmfs normally retail for about £300!!!

 

[JonLeonFr]

Yeah I know - didn't need it at the time but bought it when it came up (4months ago)

Car is on 100k miles on original clutch so was doubtful it would last too much longer.

My release bearing is goosed so luck to get it all changed at once

 

[muddyboots]

My thinking is that replacing my DMF that's covered 144k miles with one that has only covered 80k, while the clutch is coming out anyway, might be good preventative measure for £100 or so

How much does a new (non-uprated) clutch kit normally cost ?

 

[MJ]

sachs or luk kits are around the £4/500 mark for clutch, flywheel and release bearing.

 

[muddyboots]

sachs or luk kits are around the £4/500 mark for clutch, flywheel and release bearing.

What about without the DMF ?

 

[MJ]

full clutch kits are anywhere between £75-125 it pays to shop around a bit.

 

[muddyboots]

If the clutch has got plenty of meat on it and the DMF is a fair bit lower mileage, then it should see me through another year of ownership.
Got to be worth a punt if it's £3-400 cheaper than a new kit...
Would probably stick a new release bearing in though.

At one extreme I've got this option:
Recon gearbox - £700-800 + VAT
New clutch, DMF, bearing kit - £400-500 (+ vat??)
Plus labour
...that's a lot of cash

OR
DIY repaired gearbox - £46 (already bought) + cost of diff bearings, seals and shims (maybe £100)
Used but lower mileage clutch & DMF £125
Plus labour

Second approach could potentially save me over a grand...risk worth taking ?!

 

[MJ]

are you goin to repair the box yourself or have you bought a second hand one?

 

[muddyboots]

Bought a used one with the same fault as mine, for 46 quid.
Armed with Elsawin, Etka and a borrowed DTI gauge I'm intending to replace the diff bearings myself. And the driveshaft oil seals.
Then get my local, trusted garage to fit it - clutch needs doing anyway.

Thought I'd give fixing it a go rather than pay more than half the car's value for another years motoring!

 

[MJ]

yeah i agree mate, better to part with a couple of hundered quid and it still be the same than near a grand and it be fixed.

judging by the elsa pics you might (large emphasis on might) be able to remove the diff and replace the bearings without touching the gear cluster, which should make things a little easier.

on fwd cars you can split the box, remove the diff and remove the bearings without trouble, hopefully even though yours is mounted inline it should still come out and the bearings come off with ease, the only problem might be the inner race which is mounted in the box itself.

most of the time you dont need any of the tools mentioned on elsa either.

 

[muddyboots]

Yes, I'm hoping by removing the cover on the side, the diff will come out alone. Shame though, always wanted to pull a box right apart to see the internals. Might do that one the one that comes out

I believe diff bearings are fairly common failures on these boxes, so just buying a used one may not be any better. Better the devil you know!

Oh, and well used to making do without special tools, time and ingenuity can overcome most challenges.

 

[MJ]

if its only the diff bearings and not the input/output shaft bearing then replacing them alone should do the trick and if it comes out when the cover removes then thats a bonus.

The insides of gearboxes are not very interesting, usually just dirty, smelly and confusing. Personally i've never fully striped and re-built a box but in truth there's nothing stopping anyone having a bash, the best advice though is to keep eveything in the order that it came off in and have a clean spacious work bench to do it on.

the gearbox specialist we deal with has a room for stripping boxes - its like a lab!

 

[muddyboots]

Trickiest bit I think is measuring up to see what shims are required.
I think you have to fit the new bearing races first, refit cover & torque it all up with new bearings, measure the float with a DTI and work out the shim thickness required, obtain the shim(s), pop it apart, drive the races out, fit the shims, and then put it all back together again.

But with time on my side I reckon I'll get there...assuming the current box holds out !

 

[muddyboots]

I'll get some photos while I do it too !

 

[MJ]

if your not sure then ring a gearbox specialist, i'm sure they be able to help. you can slo buy full recon kits for certain boxes online for about £100 which include all bearings and seals.