#1 Way To Know Your Mk7 Gti Clutch Is Doomed!

[@mrboejangles9135]

Russ, for clarity. The pressure plate and the flywheel are connected to the engine and the clutch plate in this case a single plate is connected to the input shaft of the transmission. When you press the clutch pedal, hydraulic fluid presses out of the master cylinder to the slave cylinder, in this specific car, the throw out bearing is part of the slave and is internal to the transmission. Several things can go wrong with the clutches in these cars. The throwout bearing can get stuck, the dual mass flywheel and break springs and become to sloppy making it feel like the clutch is slipping, or even the plastic line, plastic bleeder block, or the plastic master cylinder can crack. These can all cause clutch slip and make your clutch plate wear out premature. Specifically for your stage 2 tune, I would start thinking about a steel braided line, and metal cast bleeder block to delete all the plastic. Also not these bleeder blocks have a "Clutch delay Valve" in them which slows down the return or fluid to the master cylinder from the slave to prevent clutch dump for more novice drivers. Remove that with the after market bleeder block. Not sure what the "swirl valve does just off of the master cylinder though. Just some notes for anyone that is having trouble with this car like me. Btw, my problem was my fault, I installed a new clutch and slave, and 2 of the bolts backed off and the pressure plate forks were half loaded. I highly recommend putting blue or green thread lock on the bolts. Good luck anyone having problems here. Feel free to message me.

[@naterinehart2142]

I’ve had my stock clutch on stage 2 for over 70K miles now, absolutely no slipping. Keep in mind the more you lug your engine (floor it in 5th gear) that’s gonna tear up your clutch over time. Slowly increase your pressure on the throttle with the boost, don’t just floor it when you don’t have enough flow. Doing this correctly means feeling no turbo lag and it won’t put unwanted pressure on your clutch.

[@matthewallen2000]

This is true but doesn't account for the kind of clutch wear people are seeing. I'm on my fourth VW and second GTI, and with my current 2015 car, it's the first time I've ever experienced slip. I suspect the OEM clutch is not up to the task of handling 200+ torque VW is now getting from the latest 2.0 TSI engine, and that's VW's fault. Especially in light of VW's unethical commercial practices, there should be a recall.

[@mactwisty1336]

I drive a polo 5 GTi and the slippering is bad. Do I have to replace just the flywheel or the whole clutch kid

[@mactwisty1336]

Kit*

[@alexkay7823]

@@matthewallen2000 Totally agree! I drove only manual cars my entire life, that includes a turbo diesel with decent amount of torque - never had any issues with the clutch. I've learned to drive manual then I've learned to do a heal/toe downshifting - those cars still do not have any issues with the clutches (I know people who drive them now). Brand new GTI MK 7.5, 6 speed - clutch is slipping between 2-3K rpms in 5th/6th, 16K miles on the clock. I thought about upgrading the clutch, but a "crank walk" issue stops me. MK7 clutch is trash.

[@SGtheProducer]

I read on a reddit post that if you want to keep your clutch on APR Stage 2. Make sure you start the car on stock tune, and then change it once the gearbox/clutch has warmed up

[@tom.mk7_151]

Im at 30k miles stage 2 with stock clutch. Mine decided to completely just fuck off one day so I bought a stage 3 daily. Best purchase of my life.

[@davidconde1521]

How fast is a kilogram per hour?

[@Russellscottx]

More than you can afford buddy ;)

[@garyohara4612]

@@Russellscottx 🤣🤣🤣

[@JimBean365]

Did you replace the clutch? what clutch did you get and how much was the job?

[@Eimerej]

Yup, that's exactly what I've been experiencing ( high rev with little power) with my MK6 GTI (APR Stage 1) over the last month. Time for a new clutch and a front sway bar while I'm at it. :)

[@Russellscottx]

Sorry to here man! Time for an upgrade!

[@Russellscottx]

Hear**

[@Eimerej]

@@Russellscottx Thanks. You, too. Yes, sir!

[@chaseedgren3097]

My 16 golf r was slipping very badly after I got the United motor sport tune. I upgraded to the Audi TT RS clutch kit. Still uses factory gti flywheel,if it isn't too far gone it can be reused. Just greatly increases clamping force to about 430wheel torque

[@Russellscottx]

Thanks for the info! I'll look into that!

[@thrashingjustin]

My mk7 is on stock clutch at 71k miles and stage 1. Still solid as always

[@jamesroberts5593]

Got a MK7 with stage 1, 77k miles and I need a replacement

[@jackduker9737]

I’ve had a BFI stage 3 clutch in for about 2 years now on my 15 gti and yesterday it started to slip 4-6 gears, makes about 27 pounds of boost so I just think overtime the torque and power from building boost just pushed the clutch too hard even though it’s a stage 3

[@danielgayetsky4973]

Stage 3 southbend endurance. I got it about a month ago and it is amazing. Not a lot of chatter. I definitely recommend converting to smf.

[@himmyneutron5769]

How has that held up?

[@dcampb555]

Thanks for the video Russ, I have APR stage 1 and only occasionally stomp on it for the fun - I think moderate use and never holding it on grade help with the longevity of a clutch.

[@vadermk7.594]

This is slightly incorrect. On the shifter shaft (not the shifter, but the shaft that actually interacts with the forks) there is a spring loaded dimple that corresponds with a grove found on the side of the transmission housing. You can actually see this, it is the blue sensor located around the alignment pin. The corresponding gears have a set voltage read by the compression of that spring. It is also called the "neutral" sensor. This is how the car determines the gearing. The best way to tell if your clutch is slipping is to give WOT 4th gear or higher 3-3.5k rpms. You'll have no doubt if it slips. However, you'd be surprised how little it actually makes a difference until it gets really bad.

[@colinlongstreath1811]

my stock jetta is having the issue you described like 2:30 in

[@kylesheehan3813]

If you were buying again would you opt for dsg?

[@jonathanpickup5718]

Sachs performance clutch kit with the single mass flywheel.

[@MeltingRubberZ28]

Why would you do the SMF?

[@jonathanpickup5718]

MeltingRubberZ28 makes an enormous difference in your driving experience. The SMF upgrade was one of the best upgrades I did. Instant bite with the clutch engagement - your car will feel much lighter and quicker.

[@MeltingRubberZ28]

@@jonathanpickup5718 interesting. All I've heard of with running the SMF is the rattling. Harmonics in the bottom end of a motor are a surefire way to end up with a catastrophic failure. For that reason I was thinking of going with the DMF option that can handle 400+ tq.

[@dawsxnofficial]

Sachs is a good clutch kit I just had to replace mine.. my car gave me no warning tho just one day when I was gonna take off in first I let off the clutch and it was still free spinning like 2 seconds before the gear actually caught🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️

[@ThatBlack7.5]

I think I'm having this problem now, I was doing a pull with a C7 a few days ago and when I was shifting from 3rd to 4th I was in but my computer was confused and didn't know what gear I was in and when I was giving it gas it was revving and giving me acceleration even tho my foot was not on the clutch and ever since after that drive I've been smelling my clutch even tho I would just be doing normal driving

[@beyondoasis8356]

Just test drove one today and the bite Point was so high I only had about an inch or so of travel after it finally engaged before it was fully released. Pretty stiff for about halfway pressed down then would move the rest of the way super easy. If a high bite point like that is a normal thing I’ll have to try another car. I’ve only had 3 manual transmission cars but none have had such a high engagement as the GTI I drove.

[@beecnul8r]

I have the exact same issue with my 2016 GTI S. I just installed my THIRD clutch due to burnouts when installing a stage one upgrade! GTI clutches are garbage. My problem is that with all these clutches the engagement is WAY too high on the pedal arc. As you said, there is only a small area where the engagement takes place, making shifting a real problem. Is there anything that can be done to get the engagement far lower to the floor of the clutch?

[@josephmacpherson584]

I had this same problem with my 2017 Golf R, was doing it all the time. Than I changed to brand new tires and it went completely away. So if you have tires that need changing, than replace those before you go and replace your full clutch.

[@bigmini8339]

I have bought multiple clutches from ECS tuning and they are great. Now I am a mechanic and thought I was skilled enough to do my clutch on my old car (Mini Cooper) didn’t work out how I wanted I ended up trading the car in the next week and now I’m in the market for a GTI MK 7 I also work with a VW shop next to my job as a Honda (Acura) tech but yeah ECS tuning is great and the first thing I buy from ECS tuning will be the stage 2 APR downpipe but won’t be able to get the pop and bangs loaded until I find someone or somewhere that has the capability to do so but im a huge fan of German cars I worked with BMW for years and love driving manual and I miss it

[@ellipticdreamer9735]

I just bought this same car today! Clutch was on its way out and my little joy ride blew it today.. im so pissed its in the shop.. the clutch wasn’t engaging my gears shifted hard and i kept stalling with the clutch pushed in.. released slowly and no pull off or anything.. then finally the burnt toast smell.. 😞

[@new25651]

U should take mechanic when u buy it from private seller or AA or RAC

[@ThatWhiteGLI]

Good idea to throw in a lightweight flywheel while your swapping out the clutch? When do u plan on doing clutch?

[@conman7975]

Finally went stage 2, next day clutch started slipping.if your planning on downpipe stage 2 tune blah blah make sure your also planning on pulling your transmission out to put a new clutch in. Going stage 2 for 5 600 bucks can be SWEET.sometimes only for 24 hours...

[@BrownPhrown]

This helped me out so much! I just started having this problem

[@brianb2454]

My post facelift gti 2018 has same dash

[@Peylix]

You should have been saving up for a clutch after flashing man. lol I've mentioned it before, these are the weakest link in our cars and it's been documented pretty much everywhere. It's not "if" but "when". Sure, you can make it a ways. I made it a decent ways on my stock clutch tuned. But that came to an end. I've been running a Southbend Stage 3 Daily. If you don't want single mass fly, look into Sachs SRE, which is a dual mass fly. Sachs is also the OEM manufacturer for our clutches. But the SRE is their racing division.

[@boostedkidproductions9719]

GTI is the way to go

[@Russellscottx]

Yezzirrrr

[@bmb280]

Great vid more of these little rambling vids of you drivin the GTI!

[@bokudou]

Southbend daily stage 2 or 3

[@laurentaylor4956]

I have the Southbend stage 2 daily and I love it! Pedal feel isn't too heavy but the clutch feels like a brick wall when you drop it : ) It's rated for 400+ ft/lbs of torque so it's more than I'll ever need. It's noisier than the stock setup but with the single mass flywheel you have to expect a little chatter.

[@jamstersmith4625]

Helix with dmf only a little harder and it's quiet too and there is no on and off feel. Can handle stage 2

[@MarcusBedessee]

the gear indicator thing not showing up is false, ive had my clutch for less than 7k kms, and sometimes it doesnt show the gear right away. usually when going into 6th, and only when im driving the car hard.

[@Coopjab]

Do you ever plan to go big turbo? I’m at almost 9k miles and I already have it planned out.

[@Russellscottx]

I am planning on it in the future!

[@Coopjab]

@@Russellscottx would it be an OEM IS38 or would it be a hybrid/big turbo?

[@TeddyWestside412]

we saw each other on friday lol and i will come out and visit once the new gti goodies come in to help you put them on

[@peperclipproduction]

I had a question, is it only 6th gear that would disappear? or could it be any gear?

[@Russellscottx]

It can be any fear any time the clutch starts slipping

[@joshuawall6265]

DKM MB single disk single mass flywheel dont bother with the twin disk

[@Jlit3]

Southbend stage 2 brother! Heard nothing but good things about it. Also what downpipe are you running? Looking to go stage 2 myself heard Cts was good but wanted more opinions

[@SuperDigitalMe]

I have a non tuned GTI clubsport and it slips! (european version of the gti with a golf R engine)

[@728GT]

Dem Kilograms per hour

[@Russellscottx]

Haha they’ll sneak up on ya

[@ThatWhiteGLI]

This dude said "kilogram" not kilometers lol

[@trek800z8]

either dkm or try the ecs tuning in house clutch

[@LukeStoneman]

Glad I found this video. I took a GTI PP for a test drive and I did a 2nd gear pull and I accelerated to 4K RPM then it revved out to 6k RPM with no acceleration. Definitely a sign of the clutch slipping?

[@Russellscottx]

Yeah probably bad clutch my man!

[@MrShotgun757]

Could’ve been tires spinning, but I would assume that would’ve been obvious. It very well could be the clutch.

[@mlr492]

Southbend Stage 2/3 daily. Endurance if you think you’ll track it.

[@Bawla187]

Russ The Stock Clutch King's reign is coming to an end..🤦🏾‍♂️ Got your money's worth though😊

[@Russellscottx]

I’m gonna drain it for all it’s worth haha

[@goaliemayne33]

Ikr! Mine was completely stock other than a catback exhaust and was slipping at 15k! Replaced with southbend stage 2

[@BayAreaMike99]

I swear, man, I should’ve just got a DSG. These manuals are ass. You can’t do shit with them no stage 1 or 2 unless you want to buy it a clutch in and replace it. It is the worst clutch I’ve ever felt, bro I feel like sometimes I let off my clutch real quick and it takes maybe a second or half a second for it to come up and if you ever accidentally shift into reverse trying to shift into first by accidentally pressing it down is the most annoying thing or vice versa first but you want to go reverse. I swear these clutches are not good from factory. Mine went out at 45k miles and I bought it at 40 of course no warranty so obviously someone burnt out the clutch at 40,000 miles and then I got, two flat tires and the tow truck driver had to reverse it up. I think he burnt the clutch a little bit because now the clutch is feels funny and it’s smelling funny and it’s at like 67K miles now swear this cars trouble.🤦🏽‍♂️🤦🏽‍♂️🤦🏽‍♂️🤦🏽‍♂️

[@xXMuffintopXx]

I have a 2017 gti sport model on a stage 2 unitronic flash CTs down pipe CT’s intercooler unitronic intake etc etc. I did my clutch change at around 35 k miles I pretty much flashed it around 1000 miles . However it’s been fine ever since . Around 30 k miles, I had to same situation with you it was not holding torque properly that my Rpms would shoot up which signified couldn’t hold power to the ground . Long story short , I went with ecs tuning 400 pounds of torque hold and it’s been pretty good so far no complaints whatsoever and very low chatter it doesn’t kill my left leg on traffic . Be warned that your left leg will be stronger then your right leg if you go with bfi or dkm. I chose ecs cause my tuner in Huntington Beach ca and other gti drivers recommended it. So far I’m not disappointed and it’s great for what you get . Price range is around 650 700 dollars depending on the ecs seller . Whatever the case maybe I was in around 1200 with installation so it wasn’t to harsh on my wallet . I would say that the ecs stage 2 clutch is the best bang for your buck in my opinion. well to me and other mk7 drivers in the cali area . And yes even blending some e85 3 gallons onto 91 octane which is what we get over here . It feels so smooth and perfect . However check out ecs tuning clutch it’s pretty good !

[@marcoantonioalmazanfranco3819]

christian llerena oye, espero que hables español, hoy compre el clutch the ecs tuning stage 2, después de este tiempo que ha pasado, cómo sientes el clutch? Estoy con la incertidumbre por qué hay muchas “historias de terror” de ese clutch. Saludos y gracias

[@gwadastyles]

hi can you describe the pedal effort , it's oem ? or very heavy ? i live in Paris i'm it's stage 1 285hp and 450 nm

[@xXMuffintopXx]

gwadastyles it’s oem style not heavy at all

[@gwadastyles]

christian llerena can you tell me the name of the items please ?

[@xXMuffintopXx]

gwadastyles yeah it’s ecs clutch for mk7 gti

[@tomdoe1234]

I had an 06 G35 coupe and the only thing it did when the clutch was going was the last thing you said which is it slipped. The Infiniti dealer wanted over 3K to fix it but I found an independent shop that did the job for 900, but they didn't change the flywheel.

[@slowmk7gti488]

I would go with the DKM clutch head great things from them

[@Russellscottx]

I've heard a lot of good things too, I'll check it out!

[@drewboggs3941]

@@Russellscottx 10k on my stage 2 GTI with the DKM Twin Disk and very happy since they ironed out their initial TOB issues.

[@kylesalsbury9173]

Boosted I had a dkm stage 2 in my mk6 GTI. I loved it.

[@Simpleman1078]

@@kylesalsbury9173 what's dkm?

[@kylesalsbury9173]

Simple Man single mass flywheel clutch

[@jaimenavarro2497]

Thanks bro good advice

[@Lexpenna]

Do you believe that this happened in your clutch because you are in stagio 2?

[@gregschmidt2256]

On my MK7 with the APR stage 1 tune, the clutch started to go at 14,000 miles. I'm at 25K now, and the only gears that don't slip are 1st and 2nd now. 3rd used to be good....but not anymore. I will be doing the $1700 clutch and flywheel upgrade this Fall.

[@KasamS]

How much torque are u pushing at stage 1, im looking at hetting a used 7r and im worried about the clutch

[@ryanscott4099]

My buddy has the dkm triple disc clutch stage 3

[@Slavikhavoc]

Idk why I thought you had a dsg

[@ryanlebrun7184]

Southbend clutch

[@edwardcendejas9742]

Stock clutch at 100k

[@owhite97]

Any problems with your gti might buy one soon ?

[@edwardcendejas9742]

Owen White zero.

[@JacesOwnWorld]

and stock motor too LOL

[@ntt1713]

K

[@patoto1689]

dude...keep your hands on the wheel