2004 A4 Quattro Avant 3.0-liter clutch failed suddenly and catastrophically at 41,800 miles. Upon removal of the transmission and clutch assembly, lining material on one side of the disk was found fractured and missing, and the pressure plate was blue in color (indicating overheating); the lining on the other side of the disk is still perfectly serviceable. No burning smell was detectable. The car was always serviced by the dealer per service schedule. What could cause such damage if the clutch was not misused? I would very much appreciate any insights into this mystery.

 

You're still under factory warranty. 4 yrs / 50k miles. Take it to the stealer & make them fix it.

 

EDIT: Double post. First time that's ever happenned to me.

 

If your sure the clutch was not misused, its probably just one of those weird isolated incidents. My Flex Pipe broke the day i bought my car at (86XXX) Luckily i got it at the Audi stealership and they fixed it right up for me :-)

 

hahahaha stealership hahahahaha soooo true

 

The car was trucked directly to the dealer. The dealer and Audi Corporate refused to honotr the warrant because "the damage was not caused by normal wear." I know it was not caused by "inproper use" of the clutch - I have been driving stick shifts continuously for the last 53 years. My wife is just as good a stick shift driver, and NOBODY else (excluding the dealer service people) has ever driven the car. This is why I am trying to find a plausible explanation to this "weird isolated accident." Does anyone have any suggestions?