Expert: Sean Halliday - 11/28/2007

Question
QUESTION: My clutch has failed for the the 2nd time in just over 3 years.The car warranty period expired in Sept 2007 and the dealer is quoting £1200 to replace.The vehicle has 35000 miles on the clock and the clutch hasn't being slipping.The 1st clutch failed at around the same mileage(17000).My wife normally drives the car.She has 20 years exp.and does the same journey every day to work.We have had cars much longer with no clutch problems ever!This is the worst car i have ever bought!Please can you advise me.

ANSWER: How do you mean "failed"?Did it collapse?Pedal to the floor?

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Sean
Thanks for the speedy reply!Exactly,the clutch suddenly collapsed.It hasn't been slipping.The dealership are saying its been causing by wear & tear.The vehicle was in the garage for an unrelated repair less than 2000 miles ago and their technincian didn't advise us that the clutch was heavily worn.Thanks again.
Darren

Answer
Same as the VW cabriolet with awful clutch problems.The fault is in the design.I cant say why it does this ,its a AUDI thing and its possibly a bad clutch kit or linkage/bearing or something weak in the system.The collapse means the pressure plate let go, so looks like a new kit with plate bearing and pressure plate.It could be a bad cable as most of these set ups use a cable which is useless.Needs to be thoroughly inspected before you put the new clutch in.