Trying to save the last of my clutch

[Tool Pants]

The clutch disc is held together with rivets. Once the friction material is worn out the rivets can contact the metal surface of the flywheel and/or pressure plate and score the metal surface.

If the pressure plate gets scored it does not matter, because a clutch kit included a new pressure plate. If the flywheel gets score, then it is resurfaced or replaced. Some shops will not attempt to have a flywheel resurfaced. That means a new flywheel and retail is $900.

You might want to do a clutch replacement now.

[Cloudsurfer]

I'll second Tool Pants on this one. If you know (how do you know, by the way?) that your clutch is on its last leg, it will be MUCH cheaper to replace it now and save your flywheel than it will be to have to buy a clutch kit AND flywheel after the rivets score the flywheel. Most shops will not attempt to resurface a dual-mass flywheel (which your car has, unless its been replaced by a lightweight previously, which is doubtful).

Patrick

[Lordblood]

Originally Posted by bmwm750

I'll second Tool Pants on this one. If you know (how do you know, by the way?) that your clutch is on its last leg, it will be MUCH cheaper to replace it now and save your flywheel than it will be to have to buy a clutch kit AND flywheel after the rivets score the flywheel. Most shops will not attempt to resurface a dual-mass flywheel (which your car has, unless its been replaced by a lightweight previously, which is doubtful).

Patrick

I had it checked at a mechanic before I bought the car about a month ago. One of the things that was wrong with this car (the list was quite small) was the clutch, which has 90,000 miles on it, and was quite worn.

If I do change the clutch, I would get the oil leak fixed as well as a 90k maintenance, although I could probably do the 90k myself.

[Lil bastard]

Originally Posted by Tool Pants

The clutch disc is held together with rivets. Once the friction material is worn out the rivets can contact the metal surface of the flywheel and/or pressure plate and score the metal surface.

If the pressure plate gets scored it does not matter, because a clutch kit included a new pressure plate. If the flywheel gets score, then it is resurfaced or replaced. Some shops will not attempt to have a flywheel resurfaced. That means a new flywheel and retail is $900.

You might want to do a clutch replacement now.

Absolutely great advice! I didn't even think of that, good call !

[FrayAdjacent]

You could just match revs and shift without using the clutch.... well, in all but 1st gear.

[Cloudsurfer]

If you've got 90K on your clutch, I can assure you its time to come out. However, do realize that without pulling the transaxle there is no way to inspect the clutch. So, whatever "report" you got was purely subjective with respect to wear. To that end, I'd be surprised if the first clutch lasted 90K?

Patrick

[Paul]

Originally Posted by FrayAdjacent

You could just match revs and shift without using the clutch.... well, in all but 1st gear.

NOT! Unless you want to add a tranny to his repair list. I've been hearing this since the 70s and it always ends up with a rookie standard shift owner destroying his tranny.

[blue2000s]

What is it that the clutch is doing that makes you feel that it's almost worn out?

[Tool Pants]

As Bmwm750 pointed out it is a dual mass, aka dual mess flywheel. None of the dealerships in my area will play around with it, just like they will not resurface brake rotors. I only know 1 independent shop that will consider having it resurfaced, but you get the warning if it does not work properly....

And speaking of messes. Here is the clutch disc from an autocross champion. And yes, he also needed a new flywheel.

[Cloudsurfer]

OUCH!!!!

Patrick

[Lil bastard]

With that clutch, I hope at least he had the low e.t.