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Pick the Kit by Gearbox Code
The first job is knowing which DSG you have. The gearbox code is on the build sticker and in the transmission data, and it decides everything else. A wet-clutch kit will not set up a dry DQ200, and a dry-clutch kit will not grip a wet pack.
| Gearbox | Clutch type | Kit to buy |
|---|---|---|
| DQ250 (02E) 6-speed | Wet, runs in DSG fluid | Wet DSG clutch puller and installer kit |
| DQ381 7-speed | Wet | Wet DSG clutch puller and installer kit |
| DQ500 7-speed | Wet | Wet DSG clutch puller and installer kit |
| DQ200 (0AM) 7-speed | Dry, no fluid on the clutch | 0AM DQ200 clutch installer and remover tool |
Ford DPS6 (6DCT250) and Hyundai/Kia dry dual clutches are different designs again. They need their own tools: see the DPS6 clutch tool guide or the D7UF1 dual clutch installation kit.
Wet DSG Kits: DQ250, DQ381, DQ500
On a wet DSG both clutches live in one pack. K1 drives the solid inner input shaft and K2 drives the hollow outer shaft, so the two shafts run one inside the other. Both outer plate carriers join one main hub, and the dual-mass flywheel drives that hub through splines.
That layout is why the pack has to come off straight. If it cocks while you pull it, the splines and the sealing surfaces on the concentric shafts take the damage. A proper kit has puller plates that grip the carrier squarely and draw it off along the shaft axis, an installer sleeve that presses it back the same way, and a dial gauge for the clearance checks the procedure calls for.
What a wet-clutch job usually needs besides the tool
- A replacement clutch pack, or the parts the teardown calls for
- The clutch pack cover and new seals, since the input shaft seals sit behind the clutch
- Fresh fluid and filter: a DQ250 service kit covers a 02E
- An adaptation-capable scan tool (see below)
Signs that lead to this job: fluid weeping from the bellhousing area, judder pulling away from a stop, slip under load, or clutch adaptation values that run out of range after a fluid service.
Dry DSG Kit: DQ200 (0AM)
The DQ200 clutch runs dry. The mechatronic unit on top of the case opens and closes each clutch through engagement levers and its own release bearing. The pack is a tight fit on the input shafts, so like the wet unit it must be pulled off and pressed on axially. Press a new pack on crooked and it runs out of true.
The difference is setup. On a DQ200 the release bearings have to sit at the right height and the clutch freeplay is set with shims to the published spec. A complete 0AM kit includes the puller/press piece that bolts to the clutch carrier, a support bridge, and the release-bearing setting tool that lets you take that measurement. A puller alone is not enough.
If the clutch itself is worn out, the matching part is the DQ200 0AM dual clutch assembly. Signs that lead to this job: shudder or vibration pulling away, worst in first and reverse, and clutch codes that come back after an adaptation.
Do Not Skip the Adaptation
A DSG learns clutch pressures and engagement points and stores them in the control unit. New clutches, a new mechatronic or a reset after repair throw those values off. The gearbox then needs a basic setting and an adaptation drive commanded from a tool that talks to the transmission module. Without it you get judder, a harsh bite on takeoff, or a flashing gear indicator and fail-safe mode on a gearbox that is mechanically fine.
Budget for a DSG adaptation scan tool in the same order as the clutch kit. More on the logic in our adaptive relearn guide.
Buying Checklist
- Confirm the gearbox code before you order. Wet and dry kits are not interchangeable.
- Check what is in the box. A wet kit should include puller plates, installer sleeve and a dial gauge. A dry DQ200 kit needs the bearing-setting tool, not just a puller.
- Plan the whole job: clutch, seals, fluid and the scan tool for adaptation.
- Follow the factory procedure for clearances, shim selection and torque values for your exact gearbox.
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Shop Tools → CoreTransmissionParts ToolsFAQ
Can one tool kit do every DSG clutch?
No. Wet DSGs (DQ250, DQ381, DQ500) use a puller and installer for a wet clutch pack. The dry DQ200 needs its own puller plus a release-bearing setting tool for the shim measurement.
Does the transmission have to come out to replace a DSG clutch?
Yes. The clutch sits between the engine and the gearbox, so the gearbox is separated from the engine to reach it.
Do I need a scan tool after replacing a DSG clutch?
Yes. New clutches change the engagement points the control unit has learned. A basic setting and adaptation drive have to be run with a tool that can command the transmission module.
Is a DQ200 clutch job harder than a DQ250 clutch job?
The DQ200 adds a setup step: release-bearing height and clutch freeplay are measured and set with shims. That is why its kit includes a setting tool.