Inspections
Checking Clutch Disc Wear
This guide is preserved from Clark's Garage, a foundational 944 resource. View the original →
Tools you'll need
No special tools required — basic hand tools should cover it.
See the full tools list for where to buy each one and budget alternatives.
Introduction
The clutch disc wear should be checked every 15,000 miles as a minimum. If the car is driven hard or is used on the track (Driver’s Ed events, Autocross, Time Trials, Full Race) the clutch disc wear should be checked more frequently. I generally recommend every 7500 miles for these cars OR at the end of each race season, whichever comes first.
Tools
- Metric Socket Set
- Jack Stands
- Floor Jack
- Measuring Device (Ruler)
Procedure
-
Place the vehicle on jack stands.
-
Remove the rubber dust cover from the round inspection port (approximately 1” diameter) on the left hand side of the clutch housing. In all likelihood you’ll find this cover missing. I don’t think I’ve seen one on any 944 I’ve ever worked on.
-
Measure the distance from the front end of the inspection port (edge closest to the front of the car) to the edge of the clutch slave cylinder piston.
NOTE
In this particular picture the end of the slave cylinder and side of the inspection port are difficult to see. That’s because this picture was taken on a turbo with the heat shield for the cross-over pipe in place. If the heat shield is removed it’s much easier to see the inspection port from above the cross-over pipe. Also, on normally aspirated cars it’s much easier to see since there is no cross-over pipe to obstruct your view.
-
If the measured distance is 34 mm or greater the clutch disc should be replaced. The distance for a new clutch should be approximately 18 mm.