Ford Focus - Clutch & Slave Cylinder

goldspanners

maniac886 wrote: »

Just as a matter of interest what is the best way to test to see if your clutch has worn?

The way I have been told is to build your speed up to 30mph, then put the car into 4th. As soon as you have done this stick your foot right down on the throttle. If your revs increase faster than your speed on the counter then you need a new clutch but if your speed increases faster than the revs then your fine!

Is this a good test then?

My focus has only done 42k so I don't think I will need a new clutch any time soon!

from a standstill try and pull away in 4th gear,if it stalls then the clutch is fine,if it trys to drive then the clutch will be slipping.

goldspanners

anewman wrote: »

Poppycat you can shop around. You may have some luck sourcing the belt itself, probably best to avoid ebay and ask the main dealers parts department for a quote for one, and call around to get someone who'll just charge the labour only costs. On some cars it's common to replace some other bits like the water pump while changing the cam belt.

Clutch itself is around £40 from here http://www.clutch-specialists.co.uk Might be worth calling ford parts and asking for a quote, it gives you a price to shop around with, but the ford ones may last longer and work better.

get a gates belt,even if you buy a kit from ford it will be a gates kit anyway as they manufacture them for most car companies.most,infact i would say all garages will use gates belts and kits as they are the best on the market,if they dont then i wouldnt trust thier experience.

maniac886

goldspanners wrote: »

from a standstill try and pull away in 4th gear,if it stalls then the clutch is fine,if it trys to drive then the clutch will be slipping.

Right I tried this starting in both 4th and 5th gear. Put handbreak on, engaged 4th/5th gear..gave it some gas while lifting the clutch up . The car started juddering then conked out.

Hopefully that should mean my clutch is still ok!

Skint_Catt

maniac886 wrote: »

Just as a matter of interest what is the best way to test to see if your clutch has worn?

The way I have been told is to build your speed up to 30mph, then put the car into 4th. As soon as you have done this stick your foot right down on the throttle. If your revs increase faster than your speed on the counter then you need a new clutch but if your speed increases faster than the revs then your fine!

Is this a good test then?

My focus has only done 42k so I don't think I will need a new clutch any time soon!

This sounds about right - basically when I'm driving normally I can barely accelerate in 4th or 5th without the revs hitting 3500+ or so. My car has just hit 83k miles.

hewhoisnotintheknow

some of you lot must drive your cars hard!

hewhoisnotintheknow

also i would avoid big places like ford or mr clutch, i know its hard but try and find a good local garage, theres the good garage scheme. Where are you based? If its Hampshire or Berkshire i know two good places

avantra

hewhoisnotintheknow wrote: »

also i would avoid big places like ford or mr clutch, i know its hard but try and find a good local garage, theres the good garage scheme. Where are you based? If its Hampshire or Berkshire i know two good places

I can't fault Mr Clutch, last year when the original clutch went at 140k got top notch service + new gear oil change for less than £250 (2007 prices).
Just to give a good word where deserved.

Skint_Catt

hewhoisnotintheknow wrote: »

some of you lot must drive your cars hard!

Not at all, but mine was a pool car for the first 40k's of its life

MakemBill

I have just been quoted £260 for new clutch and slave cylinder for my Focus 1.4 1999, including fitting. This for a genuine Ford clutch installed by a well recommended local garage. Last week I had a new ECT sensor, radiator (with new anti freeze) and regulator in alternator fitted for £120.50. Good prices are available if you ask around.