2.1 clutch - why did it change?

[scotttie]

From April 89 onwards the 2.1i clutch changed from part number 029 198 141 A to 025 141 031 K (vwheritage and JK list later clutch as 029 198 141 B but not sure this is right as it doesn't return any results)

Question is, why the change? All I have found out is that the later clutch had a higher clamping load than the earlier one. Was this done because VW realised the early clutch did not have sufficient clamping load for the increased power of the 2.1i? and if so, should all 2.1 engines have the later clutch if it is being replaced?

Does anyone know more about this?

Cheers!

[Aidan]

the first number is complete clutch kit, the second number is just the friction plate
to the naked eye there is no difference between them, Brickie could never get to the bottom of it
The later pressure plate is 025 141 025 B, and you can get a Sachs one from Autodoc
the later friction plate is 025 141 031 K, ditto, you should be able to get a kit too with the release bearing but I don't know the part number with a definative match for the late pair
Eurocarparts do the Sachs kit 641550060 but that's the earlier version
so it looks like the only way now to definatively get the later Sachs version is to buy the individual parts
the release bearing should be 088 141 165 A, autodoc do the Sachs one too, which I find to be the best

[scotttie]

Aidan thanks for the reply.

025 141 031 K does appear to be listed as a LuK clutch kit on autodoc: https://www.autodoc.co.uk/luk/625476

Which appears to match the numbers you have said for late pressure plate and late fiction plate, apart from the release bearing which is 088 141 165 instead of 088 141 165 A.

Anyway I have gone with the earlier clutch kit as my van is 88. I guess the reason for the change might remain a mystery then!

Cheers,
Scott