Clutch Advice, Reuse or Replace? Options

[mzapisek]

I have very low mile original 1.7 (30K). I recently installed a 4 post lift and have begun doing all the 50 year service updates (SS fuel lines, shift bushings, engine refresh etc.). I am certainly a novice mechanic at best. The information on this board most definitely helps close the knowledge gap and encourages me to self perform tasks I would otherwise be unsure of. While inspecting the flywheel, clutch and pressure plate they appear to be in very good condition (no grooves or obvious signs of wear) just some slight discoloration.

Should I reuse or replace? I did purchase a new rear main seal but I do not see any signs of a leak. From other info I have read on this board the newer seals are/maybe somewhat substandard. While I welcome the opportunity to fix everything I can while the engine is out and on the stand don’t want to perform unnecessary work or look for problems that don’t exist.

Would appreciate some advice.

Thanks.

[theer]

Clutch job on a 914 is easier than on pretty much any other car… But it’s still a pretty big job.

I’m with the others… If it was my car, I would change out clutch, pressure plate and throw out bearing. Maybe add the pilot bearing, too.

[lesorubcheek]

For the clutch disc, the Clymer manual recommends replacement if the thickness of the lining is less than 9mm (0.36"). Haynes recommends measuring the rivet depth, and if less than 0.6mm (0.025") then it's time to replace. Otherwise, if no obvious cracks or the lining being oil soaked, then it's OK to reuse. I'd imagine the factory manual has it's recommendations also.
For the pressure plate, look for signs of overheating, cracks, gouges. Haynes recommends using a straight edge on the face to look for visible warping. If the fingers (held on by rivets) are tight and not badly worn where the release bearing contacts, and everything else checks out OK, it should be fine to reuse.
Almost everyone agrees to change the pilot bearing since it is fairly inexpensive and if there's any doubt about the release bearing, change it also. Look at those plastic insulating blocks on the release bearing too and replace if they look like there's any wear or cracks. Oh, and make sure to look at the flywheel face for gouges and uneven wear.
I usually follow the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" philosophy. It's really up to you. Quick search looks like around 200-300 bucks for a new pressure plate and disc. If that seems like peanuts too you, then sure why not replace it while you're in there. If you feel like that's money that could better be spent elsewhere, the parts look good and you don't mind jumping back in maybe in 10, 20, 30 thousand miles (depends on how hard you drive it) then personally I see no reason the parts can't be reused.

[Superhawk996]

For the clutch disc, the Clymer manual recommends replacement if the thickness of the lining is less than 9mm (0.36"). Haynes recommends measuring the rivet depth, and if less than 0.6mm (0.025") then it's time to replace. Otherwise, if no obvious cracks or the lining being oil soaked, then it's OK to reuse. I'd imagine the factory manual has it's recommendations also.

Strangely I can’t seem to find a spec in disc thickness in the 914 factory manual (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)