Author Topic: Clutch replacement questions...  (Read 1255 times)

Offline skcollob_ho

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Clutch replacement questions...
« on: 11 March 2012, 12:51 »
Hello all.

Just looking for some advice on what my options are really, does anyone have any insight on the following?

The issue....

I have a mk4 Golf [ARL], and the clutch is starting to slip. I don't really know how long it is going to last, but i'm driving miss daisy at the moment [not liking the sedate, fuel saving driving either!] and despite noticing the slipping about 4-6 weeks ago it doesn't seem to be getting any worse. Does anyone know how long i might expect it to carry on like this, or am i really just wondering how long a piece of string is?

I have AA breakdown cover, which covers parts/labour, but in the small print it states that moving parts of the clutch are not covered. So another question [not being a mechanic i don't have a clue] is...What are the moving parts of a clutch that wouldn't be covered?

Having a young family, i decided to contact the AA to see if they'd consider preventative maintenance, they couldn't give me a difinitive answer, despite being passed from pillar to post. I got the impression that it really comes down to the attending AA person and what they diagnose. The way the cover works, is the AA attend the scene and if the car cannot continue the journey, they recover your car to a garage [of your choice i think], where the car is then assessed by the garage and details of the damage is given to the AA.

Bearing this in mind, is there a way of me 'ensuring' the clutch fails? Is it just a case of driving the car hard with lots of gear changes forcing the issue? Is there a better way of getting the clutch to fail? Am i risking damage to other parts of the car by performing such actions?

Sorry for the book, but any help anyone may be able to provide would be much appreciated.

Michael
A totalitarian regime, crushes all autonomy in it's drive to seize the human soul.

Offline opel

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Re: Clutch replacement questions...
« Reply #1 on: 11 March 2012, 12:53 »
you best off changing the clutch mate before it gets to bad. you best of doing the flywheel upgrade whgile u at it as then you should be laughing for ages. im sure someone will post a link of the bits u need

Offline Wayne

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Re: Clutch replacement questions...
« Reply #2 on: 11 March 2012, 19:53 »
Better to fix asap, no point in putting it off.

Offline scarr89

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Re: Clutch replacement questions...
« Reply #3 on: 11 March 2012, 20:01 »
I'v never heard anyone ask HOW TO make sure a clutch wears out quicker  :grin:

Replace it mate, bit the bullet and cough up I guess. I think I will have to do mine soon... :undecided: :sad:

Offline skcollob_ho

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Re: Clutch replacement questions...
« Reply #4 on: 11 March 2012, 21:27 »
I'v never heard anyone ask HOW TO make sure a clutch wears out quicker  :grin:

I guess it sounds a bit weird! I drive 40 miles a day to/from work, so ideally, I'd prefer the clutch to fail whilst it's just me in the car, not the Mrs and the newborn getting stranded.

As I have AA breakdown cover and recovery, I can get them to tow me to the garage then get it sorted if i manage to 'break' the clutch, with the added bonus of a day off work!

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Offline kennedyuk2001

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Re: Clutch replacement questions...
« Reply #5 on: 12 March 2012, 07:37 »
Think you will be in a bit of surprise, aa will not replace a clutch because its worn out and stopped working. There recovery firm to get u on your way or to a garage, not a fix anything if you breakdown.

Offline AD1.8T

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Re: Clutch replacement questions...
« Reply #6 on: 12 March 2012, 08:13 »
 with the added bonus of a day off work!

Offline skcollob_ho

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Re: Clutch replacement questions...
« Reply #7 on: 12 March 2012, 10:28 »
Think you will be in a bit of surprise, aa will not replace a clutch because its worn out and stopped working. There recovery firm to get u on your way or to a garage, not a fix anything if you breakdown.


Trust me, it will have 'broken' when it's at the garage. Also, the warranty I have with them will pay for a 'broken' one.
A totalitarian regime, crushes all autonomy in it's drive to seize the human soul.