Hi guys, looking for some advice and some reassurance.

I had a new clutch and DMF and release bearing (Sachs from Darkside Developments) fitted last week at an independent garage by a mechanic who I know is very skilled and knowledgeable.

Since I picked it up, when I pull away in 1st I can feel a noticeable judder thru the clutch pedal as the clutch bites.

I have told the tech who fitted it and he said that you do get it from time to time with new clutch/DMF's and that the clutch should 'bed-in' within about 300-500 miles. He has said if it doesn’t go away then it will be a poorly machined pressure plate, and that as I ordered the clutch I'll need to go back to Darkside to get a replacement sent out. He has said it wont be at my cost and not to worry about it, but I cant help but feel anxious!

I've done about 270miles since it was done and it doesn’t feel any better to me. I’ve read a few contradicting posts on other forums, people saying do a couple of spirited launches and that will sort it out, but I don’t want to do this and risk any damage being caused to the parts. I'm going to give it until this weekend, and if its no better then I'll be booking it back in to be sorted.

Has anyone had any dealings with Darkside developments of this nature in the past. I'm sure they’re top guys and they were spot on with sending me the clutch and DMF in the first place, but it’s nice to have some reassurance. Don’t know if any of their guys come on here and can help me out, short of me calling them which I don’t want to do just yet!?

Has anyone had anything similar happen to them, or can anyone offer any advice as to what the problem might be. I’ve seen some things online saying it will be the friction plate, others saying it could be the CSC bearing??

Thanks in advance

Alex

Where are my reading glasses?

From previous experiences of having a DMF and clutch fitted (to another vag car), the vibration went when the new one was fitted.

Recently had the same done. New clutch, DMF and release bearing.

When I picked the car up I asked the guyif I should drive any differently at first.

He said no but it may feel different after a couple of weeks.

I drove as normal which included a couple of fairly spririted starts on a short slip road.

Not once did I feel any judder from the clutch.

Phil

A Judder "Normally" suggests a faulty dmf...

I bought a Southbend 'silent' SMF clutch from Darkside developments and shat my pants because in the beginning it was anything but silent! Whenever I pulled away and accelerated in 1st it sent a vibration right through the car.

Got back in touch with the lads and they said to give it a few hundred miles and see if it beds in - so I did and the vibration went away. I did about 300 miles of mixed driving and it cured it! Maybe try topping up the gearbox oil too?

A Judder "Normally" suggests a faulty dmf...

The judder is only felt when riding thru the bite point, a DMF judder would be felt under different circumstances. Its almost certainly an issue with the pressure plate and or the CSC bearing... will give it another hundered miles or so, then take it back I think, I recon its a faulty pressure plate.

Alex

I know it's not quite what you asked, but when I had my clutch and SMF fitted there was horrible vibrations when biting, particularly noticable in reverse (as it's tricky to fully "lock" the clutch in reverse on a TDI unless you want to be a bit out of control). It soon passed though within the word-of-mouth "500 mile" bedding in period I was given, so another couple of hundred miles on top of what you've done should sort yours out no problem.

Try a few aggressive starts with it.

You won't do any damage and it may just be enough to speed up any bedding in the clutch needs to do.

Phil

OK cheers guys, ill give it til about 500 miles and see how it is

Alex