HELP! - New Clutch fitted but NOT disengaging!

[jamesh764]

Jhonno said:

Is TVR Parts a new thing since the revival of the brand then?! Or a rebrand after the revival.. Never heard of them before.

TVR parts is what used to be Racing Green, and they are the official supplier of TVR "Heritage" Parts.

[Jhonno]

jamesh764 said:

Jhonno said:

Is TVR Parts a new thing since the revival of the brand then?! Or a rebrand after the revival.. Never heard of them before.

TVR parts is what used to be Racing Green, and they are the official supplier of TVR "Heritage" Parts.

Ah! Cheers...

[JorEl]

Hi guys,
I'm the guy in Australia currently in this world of hurt...

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

.. and to top it all off I try to call Luke at TVR Parts on Friday (who I spent 40mins on the phone with originally confirming my order) to find their number is not in service?!?

What, the actual, F**K!!!

[Session]

Their phone lines were down in the morning. I spoke to Martin in the afternoon about my clutch and lines were all working again.

[JorEl]

Just off the phone to Martin finally (nice bloke). Pretty much confirmed I got one of the bad batch.

Still gutted but at least now I have answers and can start to seek the way forward.

[Mr Cerbera]

jamesh764 said:

Jhonno said:

Is TVR Parts a new thing since the revival of the brand then?! Or a rebrand after the revival.. Never heard of them before.

TVR parts is what used to be Racing Green, and they are the official supplier of TVR "Heritage" Parts.

Ummmmmm I thought that TVR Parts had bought up ALL relevant parts suppliers in their attempt to unify the supply (including pre-80s parts from David Gerald).

[TheRainMaker]

Don't think so, you can still get parts through TVR Power and Racetech.

[thefrog]

Does anyone know how far back in time this bad batch goes ?

[jamesh764]

thefrog said:

Does anyone know how far back in time this bad batch goes ?

At least as far back as February this year.

TVR Parts provided replacement plates FOC in May after they were made aware of the issue. The ones I collected have not been fitted to the car yet, but I've measured them with a ruler (i.e. not very accurately) and they are just under 8mm thick.

[jamesh764]

Mr Cerbera said:

Ummmmmm I thought that TVR Parts had bought up ALL relevant parts suppliers in their attempt to unify the supply (including pre-80s parts from David Gerald).

TVR Parts Limited and Racing Green Cars Limited are both part of Carvell Holdings Limited, along with a property company and a management consultancy firm.

David Gerald Sportscars Limited is owned by Michael Luck, but TVR Parts may well have bought up all their stock.

[JorEl]

Been speaking with Martin at TVR Parts Ltd, he reckons they sold approx 20 sets of the faulty (Helix QA recognised problem) plates to customers before they realised there was a problem.

Martin has been great in explaining and talking about it although both TVR Parts Ltd and Helix have failed (in my opinion) in highlighting and informing potential customers of this 'bad batch', could have been handled a bit better I think.

Terry from Helix on the other hand has yet to return my phone call or reply to my email when queried on labour compensation... yet anyway!

Will keep you all posted.

[JorEl]

Update fellas...

Finally heard back from Terry at Helix confirming he'd negotiate compensation for my 18hrs original wasted labour after being supplied wrong-sized clutch plates in a bad batch, so that's a plus.

'Correct' plates arrived last week from Helix via TVR Parts finally and I can confirm the new plates issued measured up on the Vernier’s at ~7.2mm thickness versus the wrong-sized plates which measured ~8.3mm (a combined ~2.2mm too thick).

It was also good to see the newly supplied plates were labelled “Gearbox Side” and “Flywheel Side” – unlike the 8.3mm plates.

However after 13hrs labour on the job yesterday and with everything re-assembled, I am disappointed to report back that the problem has not been resolved – Cannot engage any gear with the engine running and pressing the clutch.
Have tried the clutch pedal pin in both positions (extended and reduced pedal travel) with no success.

Continuing to try and diagnose again today.

Anyones recommendation would be greatly appreciated before I seriously consider torching this thing!
Does anyone have a Helix Clutch design or assembly drawing?

Pics to follow...

[JorEl]

[JorEl]

[JorEl]

[JorEl]

[msmith0592]

I sent my whole clutch assembly back to Helix and have been given a new assembly and plates.

All is now working so it may be worth mentioning this.

Apparently Helix have changed the spec of the assembly ever so slightly.

[JorEl]

You're joking aren't you?

Why would Terry from Helix not mention this to me?

[Session]

I was given the option of remanufactured plates or a whole new clutch with upgraded design plates so opted for the latter even though it was a longer wait. Had the car back a few weeks now and so far so good. The helix is stiffer pedal feel so a little more effort in traffic but otherwise ok so far

[Montauge]

Sorry to hear of your continued woes JorEi. I have not yet had any satisfactory resolution of compensation either, so far, although positive noises are being made. I don't see why any of us should need to get into a conversation with Helix about compensation - we all bought them from TVR Parts - it is their problem to resolve.
I'm gutted to hear that your new thinner plates are not disengaging. I too was told by TVR Parts to hang on to the assembly and just send back the plates, so this is very concerning that they might have now tinkered with the assembly too. It is TVR Parts' responsibility to find out exactly what is going on and be up-front and honest with us all. I'm certain there is more to this than just that the plates were made too thick. It has already been said to me by TVR Parts that Helix had redesigned out a previous problem and that in doing so they created this latest problem.
Keep us updated JorEi and good luck.