Stiff ish clutch

[pfnsht]

Hi,

I've got a Golf PD130, with 175k, no history of a clutch change, but the clutch operation is noticeably stiffer than my other two cars (both VAG and one diesel too).

I occassionally hear the rattle of a failing DMF. Clutch bite is positive and about half way down the pedal and no slippage. No thrust bearing fail noises either.

Is the stiffness a sign of a failing pressure plate? Or could it be old hydraulic fluids - pretty sure these haven't been flushed for a good 5 years looking at my history. Assume a brake fluid flush would flush the fluids in the clutch hydro too?

I bought the car to learn and work on myself, but not ready to a clutch as my first job!

Cheers for thoughts.
Matt

[citizen smith]

Sorry to say,

But the only solution is a new clutch and dual mass flywheel. Approx. £1k at a specialist else a load of heavy work.

That's my experience of a heavy rattly clutch!

[pfnsht]

Thanks! I do plan to do it myself so hopefully not 1k. I'll keep it going, do my other jobs and hopefully by that point I will be at a stage where I'm happy to do the job. It is a 4th car so not that desperate to keep on the road!

[sliks]

You can try changing the fluid, you'll have to open bleed screw on gearbox with a bleed tube and container. I doubt it is the fix. I have a mk6 and I am sure there will be alot of cars out there with a lighter clutch. Mine feels firm but I don't drive any other manual on a regular basis so it feels normal