Clutch Masters 10-17 Audi S4 3.0L B8 FX850 Strapped Twin Disc Clutch Kit w/Steel Flywheel

If your B8 or B8.5 Audi S4 with the 3.0 TFSI supercharged V6 and the 6-speed manual has started to slip in third and fourth after a pulley or tune, or the stock clutch and dual-mass flywheel are worn out and you are planning for more power, this is the kit built for that job. The Clutch Masters 02060-TDFR-SHV pairs the FX850 Strapped twin disc clutch with a billet steel flywheel, so the whole rotating assembly behind the engine is replaced in one box. It is aimed at owners who want twin-disc holding power and still drive the car on the street.

What the clutch kit does in a B8 S4 manual

Audi launched the B8 S4 with the supercharged 3.0 TFSI rated at 333 hp and 325 lb-ft, with a 6-speed manual as standard and the 7-speed S tronic as the option. In the manual car the clutch is the only thing coupling that torque to the gearbox, and once the supercharger pulley and tune are changed the factory single disc runs out of clamping force quickly.

A twin disc splits the job across two friction discs with a floating middle plate, so the same pedal and release system can hold far more torque without a huge diameter. What makes the FX850 Strapped different from an ordinary twin disc is the drive straps. Clutch Masters says it isolates the pressure plate and the mid-plate with straps to virtually eliminate chatter and give smoother engagement, which is why this version is the one meant for extended street use. Per Clutch Masters, the friction side is one sprung ceramic disc and one rigid ceramic disc, the cover is machined from billet aluminum and Type 3 hard anodized, and their steel flywheels are machined from 1045 billet cores and black oxide treated.

Symptoms that point to a clutch kit

• RPM flares without the car pulling harder in third or fourth at full boost, the classic slip pattern on a modified S4
• Chatter or judder on takeoff, especially when the car is hot
• A burnt friction smell after a hard launch or a hill start
• Rattle or knock at idle that goes away with the pedal pressed, often the dual-mass flywheel wearing out
• Pedal engagement point moving, or the car being hard to put in gear with the pedal on the floor

How to confirm the clutch is the problem

Do a slip test before buying: in fourth gear from about 2,500 rpm, go to full throttle and watch the tach. If rpm climbs faster than road speed, the clutch is slipping. Rule out the hydraulics first by checking the fluid level and bleeding the system, since a soft or sinking pedal can mimic a worn clutch. If you are still weighing the cost of a clutch job against other drivetrain repairs, our manual vs automatic repair cost guide explains what the labor actually involves.

Fitment

The listing covers the 2010-2017 Audi S4 3.0L on the B8 platform, which means the B8 and B8.5 sedan with the 6-speed manual. It is not for S tronic cars; those need a dual-clutch specific part such as the Clutch Masters S tronic steel flywheel. The later B9 generation is a different car, so if you are not sure what you have, send us the year and VIN and we will check it before it ships. Clutch Masters builds its strapped twin discs to work only with its own matched flywheel, which is why one is included here; do not try to bolt the clutch to the factory dual-mass unit.

Install notes

• The transmission has to come out, so plan on a lift, a transmission jack and a full day of shop time.
• Clean the crank flange, torque the new flywheel to spec, and center both discs with an alignment tool such as our 18-piece SAE/metric alignment kit before tightening the cover in a star pattern.
• Note which side of each disc faces the flywheel and keep the floating plate in its marked position; a twin disc assembled out of order will not release.
• Bleed the clutch hydraulics with the fluid specified on the reservoir cap until the pedal is firm and consistent.
• Clutch Masters requires at least 500 miles of normal stop-and-go driving with no full-throttle shifts before hard use.
• While the gearbox is down, it is a good time to install a B8 billet shifter plate and linkage kit.

Expect some disengaged rattle from the floating plate and a firmer, more defined engagement than stock. If you would rather run a single disc, compare the FX350 single disc kit for the same car.

Does this kit fit an S4 with the S tronic gearbox?

No. This is a manual-transmission clutch for the B8 and B8.5 S4 with the 6-speed manual. S tronic cars use wet clutches inside the gearbox and need an S tronic specific flywheel instead.

Can I reuse my factory dual-mass flywheel?

No. Clutch Masters builds its strapped twin disc to run with its own matched flywheel, and a billet steel flywheel is included in this kit for that reason. The factory dual-mass unit is retired.

Will the twin disc be hard to drive in traffic?

The strapped design was made to reduce chatter and smooth engagement compared with an unstrapped twin disc, so it is meant for street use. Expect a firmer, more defined engagement than stock and some rattle from the floating plate with the pedal pressed.

How do I break in the new clutch?

Clutch Masters requires a minimum of 500 miles of normal stop-and-go driving, with no full-throttle shifting or compression braking, before the clutch sees hard use.

What else should I replace while the transmission is out?

Inspect the release bearing and hydraulic lines, replace the rear main seal if it is weeping, and consider a shifter plate upgrade. Have an alignment tool ready for centering both discs.

How do I make sure it fits my car?

Confirm it is a B8 or B8.5 S4 3.0 TFSI with the 6-speed manual. If you are unsure, send us the year and VIN before ordering and we will check it.

• Automatic vs. Manual Transmission Repair Cost: What to Actually Expect