Clutch problem whilst in garage

andygb

capeverde wrote: »

bump


any opinions?

Was it a diesel van which had a DMF (dual mass flywheel), because these can let go quite suddenly, but they will give you a few warning signs like clonking noises (as the springs break up), and nasty metallic grinding noises.

EdGasket

Maybe the 'lads' were trying to do wheelie's in it!

Joe_Horner

Almost certainly one of those things. You have to be pretty brutal to destroy a clutch if it's not ready to let go anyway - they're designed to cope reasonably with idiots who can't drive in the first place!

They can also go quickly and without warning. The last one I had fail was on the way to my driving test back in the 80s - it was fine the day before, started slipping on the way there, undriveable by the time we got there. Luckily managed to borrow a car (1959 Beetle) for the test, unluckily was so sh*t scared of scratching it that I failed for hesitancy

The person who suggested "they're liable" is wrong - any business is only liable if something is caused by their negligence. So, for example, if the clutch started slipping, they continued driving it anyway and wrote off the flywheel as a result, there might be a case against them for the flywheel.

As others have said, if you play the nice and understanding customer, there's every chance they'll do what they can to help you out but trying to insist on "rights" that don't exist will only cause grief all round. Play nicely and it may turn out to be a blessing in disguise by costing less than if it had held on a little longer then failed back in your hands