Audi A3 Clutch about to go?

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Tue 13 Apr 2004 09:34
Audi A3 Clutch about to go? - Chris75
Hi all,

Have just driven my wifes A3 for the first time in a while at the weekend. The clutch only has to travel about 1-2 inches in order to change gear. Is this a sign that is worn or can it be adjusted?

It is mid 2001 with 46k miles.
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Tue 13 Apr 2004 10:38
Audi A3 Clutch about to go? - Altea Ego
The gear change bite point is not important, most cars will change gear ok with a half hearted "dip" of the clutch. Where is the bite point when pulling away?
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Tue 13 Apr 2004 10:44
Audi A3 Clutch about to go? - Chris75
Sorry, I should have explained that a bit better. The bite point is when the clutch is nearly fully released.
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Tue 13 Apr 2004 17:08
Audi A3 Clutch about to go? - Altea Ego
Dont know the A3, but most clutches are self adjusting. Its unusual to get thro a clutch in this mileage, but its possible with bad driving habits. (high revs and slip on pull away, resting a dainty high heel on clutch pedal while driving etc..)
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Thu 15 Apr 2004 00:22
Audi A3 Clutch about to go? - mare
Somewhat speculative but....

My Octavia's clutch pedal broke and the symptons were that the pedal bite moved right up to the "top" of the pedal travel. Then the pedal gave way completely, and i had no means of using the clutch. To be clear (and i've had two malts) the clutch itself was fine what had actually broken was the plastic tabs that operated the clutch cylinder. Mine was not the first that the Skoda dealer had seen, and i was glad that the car was under warrenty, because it is quite a fiddly job.

The Octavia clutch is hydraulic, as is i believe the Golf Mk IV, so possibly the A3 is the same. FWIW the car has done 101,000 miles on the same clutch, the only hassle has been the pedal itself
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Tue 13 Apr 2004 19:57
Audi A3 Clutch about to go? - Civic8
is it cable or hydraulic?
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Wed 14 Apr 2004 07:54
Audi A3 Clutch about to go? - Chris75
is it cable or hydraulic?


I have absolutley no idea. How do you tell?
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Wed 14 Apr 2004 08:05
Audi A3 Clutch about to go? - Chris75
resting a dainty high heel on clutch pedal while driving etc..


RF, Yes, a bit of a sore point this one!!!
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Wed 14 Apr 2004 20:33
Audi A3 Clutch about to go? - Civic8
if you look under the bonnet/bulkhead close to the brake master cylinder you may find a smaller version with one pipe coming from it to gearbox.usually if clutch is on its way out with hydraulics pedal is very close to top meaning it needs replacing.
cable will be in same place as cylinder would be but probably have an auto adjuster built into pedal they do fail a tell tale may be a clicking noise as the teeth tend to slip.hope that helps ps dont know Audi so setup of cable system may be different?
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