Recommended clutch pressure plate for 1.8L 16V?

[GTIspirit]

Asking here because I value and respect the opinions on this site a lot more than other VW sites.

Only related thread I found in this forum was here:
http://www.improvedtouring.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14272&highlight=pressure+plate

I had this happen to the Sachs clutch pressure plate on my 1.8L 16V :(
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c184/clmoore3rd/DSCN7296.jpg
Of course I'd like to not have this happen again.....

I've heard on other VW forums that is is somewhat common, but no good explanation why, just the tip to use a SRE pressure plate, this one:
http://www.bildon.com/catalog/Admin/photos/large/141.215.jpg
http://www.bildon.com/catalog/DetailsList.cfm?ID=141.215&Nav=5&SubNav=54

But I've also found this less expensive pressure plate on the Bildon site:
http://www.bildon.com/catalog/Admin/photos/large/020_plate.jpg
http://www.bildon.com/catalog/DetailsList.cfm?ID=BMS.141.271&Nav=5&SubNav=54

I don't think this IT engine really needs a pressure plate with higher clamping force. All I really care about is not having the strap fasteners shear off, or the straps break. Botch clutch pressure plates say they have reinforced straps, so I'm tending to go with the cheaper blue Bildon one.

Thoughts or other recommendations?

Thanks!

[dj10]

Asking here because I value and respect the opinions on this site a lot more than other VW sites.

Only related thread I found in this forum was here:
http://www.improvedtouring.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14272&highlight=pressure+plate

I had this happen to the Sachs clutch pressure plate on my 1.8L 16V :(
Of course I'd like to not have this happen again.....

I've heard on other VW forums that is is somewhat common, but no good explanation why, just the tip to use a SRE pressure plate, this one:
http://www.bildon.com/catalog/Admin/photos/large/141.215.jpg
http://www.bildon.com/catalog/DetailsList.cfm?ID=141.215&Nav=5&SubNav=54

But I've also found this less expensive pressure plate on the Bildon site:
http://www.bildon.com/catalog/Admin/photos/large/020_plate.jpg
http://www.bildon.com/catalog/DetailsList.cfm?ID=BMS.141.271&Nav=5&SubNav=54

I don't think this IT engine really needs a pressure plate with higher clamping force. All I really care about is not having the strap fasteners shear off, or the straps break. Botch clutch pressure plates say they have reinforced straps, so I'm tending to go with the cheaper blue Bildon one.

Thoughts or other recommendations?

Thanks!

Get Bildon's recommendations, he won't steer you wrong.

[Corradoracer]

Log on www.247-parts.com (http://www.247-parts.com) and look up your 16v this is the part number you want.
I2030-104333
This Kit will fix your problem. Look no straps.

[GTIspirit]

Thanks for the tip on the Exedy "strapless" clutch. Anyone else using this clutch pressure plate to comment from personal experience?

[Bildon]

Lenny, We replied to your one email. Please check your spam folder. If you are calling make sure you do so during our published phone support hours. (See the home page for that info). Your clutch is on backorder. Send us another email and we'll give you the specifics.

[markw]

The straps were installed in the wrong direction for the 210 pressure plate. Look at a 190 or 200 pressure plate. They are the opposite direction. The only work around is as Bildon is doing adding multiple straps. Luk had a stock pressure plate with pins to help stop that twist. It was a stock replacement part. I just happened to notice it.

[shwah]

There are stock 210 pp that have the straps in the right direction. They are pretty hard to find now though.

[sciroccohp]

Log on www.247-parts.com (http://www.247-parts.com) and look up your 16v this is the part number you want.
I2030-104333
This Kit will fix your problem. Look no straps.
Can't find it on the site, I had the same failure on my 16V pressure plate except mine came completely apart.

[GTIspirit]

The Exedy pressure plate has straps, just of a different design than the Sachs pressure plate. I ended up ordering the Exedy clutch kit from Carmadillo. It contained a Luk pressure plate which was exactly as pictured in the 247Parts website and had the straps/pins of a different design than the OE Sachs style. We'll see how long it holds up.

[Dave Zaslow]

I'm repeating from a post down below on clutches. Sachs changed the 'strapping' on their good pressure plates a number of years ago. Take a look here:

http://www.zf.com/corporate/en/produ...e_catalog.html (http://www.zf.com/corporate/en/products/motorsports/product_range_motorsports/sachs_performance/sachs_performance_catalog/sachs_performance_catalog.html)

It will take a bit to poke through the brochure and catalog (separate downloads), but it is all there.

These are $$$ but are a much better design.

DZ.

[edison_GTI]

Bringing this back because I just had the same clutch failure last weekend. I'd post pictures but I'm at work. The clutch was replaced last November and had 720 track miles.

So, what's the best option for a pressure plate replacement? I sent Bildon an email, but they won't be back from vacaction unitl June 15.

[shwah]

I found a 'pull strap' PP packaged into an Autozone clutch kit a year or two ago. They still seem to be around. Much less likely to have this failure when you don't compression load the straps.