mechanics juddering on clutch! any ideas

rev_henry

KillerWatt wrote: »

Juddering when pulling away (and the clutch going "soft") are all indicative that a cheap chinese piece of crap pattern part was used when the clutch was replaced back in 08 (20,000 ago) rather than using a brand name.

As far as warranty goes, check the T&C's in the paperwork that the previous owner gave you (some companies allow transfer of warranty, and some don't).

I suspect that's the cause of my problem as well - clutch was supposedly done a year ago now, I've had the car since Dec.

benham3160

harveybobbles wrote: »

Clutch should last the life time of the car really. So maybe its driver abuse...

That's crap really isn't it. This the nonsense you feed your customers?

Needs a proper diagnosis, might not even be a clutch issue per-se, could be engine mount issues for example. I don't think these have a dual-mass flywheel, (don't think they do,) but that could be another avenue of investigation.

Or, as pointed out, just a crap cheapo Chinese clutch kit, or EBC's, which seem to be about the worst clutch on the planet.

Regards,
Andy

julie03

Strider590 wrote: »

Clutch release bearing?

The clutch is obviously worn, as 1st and reverse put the most torque through the clutch.

Simple test - on level ground, stop, handbrake on, car in 4th gear, dump the clutch (loose the clutch completely and instantly).
If the car doesn't stall straight away then the clutch is knackered.

2002, probably time for a new clutch anyway.

tried this a few times, car stalled immediately everytime also we had a handbrake cable replaced a few days before, don't know if this is relevent

maninthestreet

harveybobbles wrote: »

Clutch should last the life time of the car really. So maybe its driver abuse...

It does worry me when a car trader comes out with nonsense like this.

benham3160

maninthestreet wrote: »

It does worry me when a car trader comes out with nonsense like this.

Yeah, I totally agree.

Sounds like the kinda crap I hear all too often from car dealers, whilst fighting not to pay out for a repair they should.

Clutches just have a finite life, any suggestion that they should "last the life of the vehicle" is crap. Any car dealer who suggested that to me would be getting no business from myself.

I feel sorry for anybody who has to deal with this person if this is what he believes.

Regards,
Andy

bigjl

The lifetime of a clutch is in direct proportion to how it is used, lots of urban work, you would be lucky to get 50k if you are hard on it.

If you live in rural jockland then you would expect the clutch to last almost indefinately, my dad once had to change a clutch on a 3 yr old Viva, he never bought a Vauxhall again, he was that shicked that he had done a clutch.

I have had cars with 200k that where on the original clutch.

Though i think harveybobbles is wrong in thinking a clutch will last a vehicles lifetime, they do in some instances, but there is normally a good reason for this, they are a very careful driver that is never stuck in traffic and only drives around in the country.

Thinking about it more carefully, I have only done two clutches, in a Renault 21, and that was because it was starting to judder and a 6 month old Seat Toledo as it started to make a screeching noise when drive was taken up, and that was done under warranty.

I actually seen that car on eBay a few months ago, showing 110k, with little service history after the 2nd year, I thought that was strange, especially as when I got rid of it the mileage was just under 150k. The car was a '99 T so it obviously had been "well" maintained in the interveening 9 years as I had got rid when it was 18 months old.

kittiej

If yuo live somewhere like Lincs then your clutch 'should in theory' last a lifetime.

*BUT* if you lie in the S Wales Valleys like myself then you've got no chance, esp if you're like me and hold the car on the clutch quite often ( ducking now because I'm going to get meringue flinged! lol)