Back in mid-December I had the clutch and flywheel replaced on my 2011
Cayman
base. I used a typical
Sachs clutch kit
(pressure plate, clutch disc, throw-out bearing) and OEM
Porsche
dual mass flywheel. Within 200 miles of the replacement (currently 1,500 miles on the clutch), I have noticed a mild vibration through the clutch pedal when both pushing in and releasing the clutch pedal. The vibration is worse when releasing the pedal. The vibration is more present when the rpms are above 3500rpms and as ambient temps get above 70 degrees. The vibration isn't huge and it feels like a cell phone buzzing under your foot. I've researched this issue on various
Porsche
forums and many 997
911
and later owners have reported a similar sensation in both brand new cars and on cars that had recent clutch replacements, whether OEM or the standard
Sachs
kit. The dealers swear it's normal and have observed it as well. They claim that
Porsche
has made this a design element as most owners want a connection to the powertrain. Sounds a little bogus to me. I also have a 2016
BMW
M235 6MT and I can feel vibration through the clutch pedal was well, but it's not as strong and the vibration frequency more muted thus less annoying.
Does anyone else notice this with their manual 987 cars?
They claim that Porsche has made this a design element as most owners want a connection to the powertrain.
Was the vehicle exhibiting that same vibration in the past when you were happy with the perfomance? If it wasn't then it's a change. You saying you feel it in a completely different car and brand makes it sound like it could be you. The dealer is going to consider the job correct if it shifts smoothly without any grinding.
No it vibrated like a mutha when I got the car back in October 2022. The tranny and engine mounts were shot and the clutch pedal was stiff as hell and vibrated badly. I replaced the mounts. The clutch pedal issue at that time was due to a bad pressure plate finger and heavily worn clutch. The vibration I feel through the clutch pedal now is 10% of what it was. It's really minor. Perhaps I'm just so used to the disconnected feel of the M235's drivetrain.
With respect to other Porsches having this issue, I have not driven any other Porsches. The information I noted was taken directly from forum research and threads by 997 and 991 owners.
The clutch was installed by a reputable independent
Porsche
only shop. The clutch operates fine. So yeah, they won't do anything and will likely claim the same as
Porsche
and/or say something to the effect that the car is older. Assuming other
987.2
owners don't experience the same, I think it may be a slightly bent clutch fork caused by the prior owners driving the car with a heavily work clutch and failing pressure plate. I should have replaced the fork at the clutch/flywheel change, but I incorrectly assumed that the fork was part of the
Sachs
kit. Maybe when I get a Quikjack, I'll yank the trans, inspect, and replace the clutch fork. Looks easy enough given all the work I've done on the car so far.
I spoke to my independent
Porsche
shop and they swear that there is nothing wrong. This shop works on everything from
Porsche
classics to late model
911s
used solely for track duty to motor swaps. The shop is well versed in
Caymans
as the owner races them. Perhaps I'm expecting too much from a 1st gen
Cayman
in terms of NVH control since the chassis is pretty old, came out in 2006 as a 2007 model, and is void of subframe bushings and such. I am going to check the slave cylinder and check to make sure that the plastic tip to engages the clutch fork isn't broken off and creating metal to metal contact. I've read of this happening on 997
911s
which use the same slave. The shop felt that was prudent. I asked about a bent or broken clutch fork and they swear they don't break. The 986s had issues with them breaking, but the part was revised and is no longer an issue.
