JBugs Clutch Kit - 12 Volt - 200mm - 1954-1979 Type 1 - 2 - 3

JBugs 200mm/12 Volt Build Your Own Clutch Kit

• Early or late style throw out bearing - economy or German
• Early or late style pressure plate - economy to Stage 4
• Rigid or sprung clutch disc - economy to 6 Puck
• Clutch alignment tool & hardware available

Build your own 200mm (12 volt) clutch kit with our selection of throw out bearings, pressure plates and discs. From economy, to stock, to high performance, we've compiled just about every option we offer for 200mm, 12 volt clutch components. Our clutch kit starts by selecting your throw out bearing, then select your pressure plate, the disc and whether or not you need an alignment tool, or an alignment tool and pressure plate hardware. What ever clutch you might need for your 1954 through 1979 VW Beetle, Super Beetle, Karmann Ghia, Type 2 Bus, Type 3 or Thing, as long as it has a 12 volt, 200mm flywheel, we've got the clutch kit you're looking for.

Throw Out Bearings (1967-1970 or 1971-1979 in our options list)

VW used two different style throw out bearings from 1954 through 1979:

"Early style" (1954 through 1970) throw out bearings are easily identified by the separate, removable clips that install at the side into two "ears". The clips hold the throwout bearing to the transmission cross shaft, while the ears keep the bearing from sliding on the shaft. Early style throw out bearings must be used with early style pressure plates that have a centering ring. The cross shaft on the transmission determines what style throw out bearing your VW will need.

"Late style" (1971 through 1979) throw out bearings can be identified by the built in clips that pivot up and over the arms of the transmission cross shaft to hold it in place. The late throw out bearing has flat ears and the cross shaft arms have "ramps" that allow the throw out bearing to slide up and down as it operates. Late style throw out bearings must be used with late style pressure plates that do not have a centering ring. On performance pressure plates (like the Kennedy Stage 1 - 1700lb) the centering ring is removable for use with late throw out bearings. Again, the cross shaft on the transmission determines what style throw out bearing your VW will need.

We offer both economy and German options for the early and late throw out bearings. For our own cars, we use only German throw out bearings. It doesn't make sense to us to save a few dollars (on an already fairly inexpensive item) that takes so much labor to replace. Installing a throw out bearing requires removing the engine and while that job is easy for some people, and in some vehicles (like Baja Bugs and sand rails) it is really simple, for others the thought of removing an engine can seem like an very tough job. Just the same, we know there are circumstances where a budget option is the only option.

Pressure Plates (1967-1970, 1971-1979 or 1967-1979 in our options list)

To match the early and late style throw out bearings, VW used two different styles of pressure plates:

Early style (1967 through 1970) and all performance (for example EMPI Stage 1 - 1700lb) pressure plates have a center ring. The center ring is removable on performance pressure plates so they are listed as 1967-1979. Now there are two different types of early style pressure plates, a lever style which has three levers that connect from the plate to the center ring, or a diapraghm style with multiple fingers that connect the plate to the ring. Your VW may have either style (lever or finger) and they are interchangeable. Nowadays most all pressure plates are finger style, and pressure plates with a center ring must be used with early style throw out bearings.

Late style (1971 through 1979) pressure plates do not have a center ring. The fingers of the diaphragm attach to the pressure plate and extend up to the center of the plate. Late model pressure plates must be used with late model (1971-1979) throw out bearings. As we noted on the performance pressure plates above, the center ring on Stage 1 through Stage 4 (1700, 2100, 2600 and 3000lb) pressure plates must be removed to be used with late model throw out bearings.

We offer both economy, Brazilian, German and Performance pressure plates. The economy options are decent enough for use in a "just get it working" scenario, but we would at least opt for a Brazilian pressure plate for most budget applications. The German pressure plates are the best stock replacement options, suitable for most all daily driver, basic restoration and even mild performance applications. The performance pressure plates are available with Stage 1 & 2 options from EMPI and Stage 1 through 4 options from Kennedy for higher horsepower applications. Note that the performance pressure plates will be harder than stock to operate. 1700 or 2100 Stage 1 or 2 pressure plate are usable with the stock clutch pedal, provided you have strong legs. Stage 3 and 4 pressure plates are best used in conjunction with a hydraulic clutch, not something that is easily adapted to a stock VW though. These are typically used on race cars, tube frame sand rails, etc.

Clutch Discs

There are two general styles of clutch discs: Rigid or Sprung Hubs.

Rigid hub discs have less parts and are inherently stronger than sprung discs stock. Rigid clutch discs have a firmer engagement and can often be too harsh for some people. They grab more abruptly and can often times cause "chatter" or vibration as they engage the engine and transmission. That being said, for high performance applications, they are the go to clutch simply because they have less parts to break. This is why all of our performance discs from the metal woven Daikin to the 4 and 6 puck options have a rigid hub.

Sprung hub discs are usually what come in passenger vehicles, and are what VW typically installed at the factory. The sprung center has a softer engagement and is less prone to chatter. The spring disc absorbs some of drive-line vibrations as the engine and transmission engage and disengage. This leads to a much smoother experience for the occupants. Sprung clutch discs are recommended for most stock, daily and weekend driver applications.

The quality of the discs varies with the economy versions being just that, the aftermarket and Brazilian clutch discs being decent options. German discs are still made by OE manufacturers today if you're the type that insists on all German, all the time. When we're opening up our wallet, out go to sprung disc is the Valeo. It has been our "go-to" sprung clutch disc for decades. For mild performance applications the Daikin semi-metalic and the Kush Loc discs are hard to beat, and have been favored by VW owners for years and we've used them in our own Baja Bugs and street cars with mild performance engines. The Daikin metal woven disc is great all the way up to about 200 horsepower when used with a Stage 2 pressure plate. 4 and 6 puck discs are only recommended for all out racing applications, we wouldn't recommend using them on a street driven VW.

Alignment Tool & Hardware

If you're a seasoned VW mechanic, you've probably already got an alignment tool (or 3) laying in your tool box. That being the case, we don't feel the need to charge you for another one! However if you don't have an alignment tool, you will need one to ensure the clutch disc is aligned properly with the flywheel and the pilot bearing in the gland nut before you install and tighten down the pressure plate. We even offer the tool and some pressure plate hardware by selecting them in the options above. Speaking of the pilot bearing, as we just mentioned, it is in the gland nut and not something that we typically replace when installing a new clutch, just make sure it is greased before you install your new clutch.