S4S Clutch

[Manuelin]

I took my 95 S4S to the shop for a 'B' service. They are telling me that my clutch is slipping bad and want to replace it. I have driven the car now for 1000 miles. It has only 18Kmi, so I believe the clutch is the original. I heve pushed it hard and never felt it slip, I suspect the shop is trying to pull a fast one on me. What is you're experience with this clutch? Does it make sense that it may be gone at 18Kmi? Let me know what your experience is with these clutches and how much I expect to pay for a clutch job.
Thanks

[cnh1990]

What do the other members of the of the Lotus club in Northern CA have to say about the clutch?

Calvin

[benfell100]

OK this may well NOT be a duff clutch. Mine slipped after a service and it turned out to be only an adjusted clutch peddle as a fix, it had 20000 miles on it, now has over 30000 and is still fine. Others have had gearbox seals leak oil onto the clutch which burns off but causes it to slip temporarily. Get a TRUSTED mech to look at it. ask about and get a second opinion as it is all too easy for a less reputable mech to pull a fast one.
If it is a duff clutch, look on http://freudhoefer.de/lotus/esprit/index.html
This chap in Germany does aftermarket clutches made by the same company that made the originals and they are 25 - 35% higher torque rated. You could do worse than to deal with him, he's a good egg, I have bought stuff from him, he's a genuine chap. Marcus is his name.
Hope it helps
Dom

[Manuelin]

Thanks Dom, that's very good to hear, I know I still have a good clutch, just neeed some reassurance. The shop name is Los Gatos Ferrari and so far I haven't been impressed with their service, they quoted me $5200 for the clutch replacement. I told them to just finish the B service and leave the clutch alone. Iwill be taking it to another recommeded shop nearby who works on exotics.
It is so nice for this forum to exist. Thanks a lot for the info. I have bought things from Marcus before. I agree he is a genuine fellow to deal with.
Thanks again Dom.

[LotusACBC]

For $5,200 I would do it my damn self LOL

Ive changed clutches before on many Mustangs, how hard could it be do change a clutch on any car really. Mustangs arent Lotus's, but a clutch is a clutch and located in the same spot.

I mean if you have never done it I wouldnt do it. But if you have some friends, and some knowledge, diagrams, a lift, I would try it out myself before spending that kind of dough.

[fj40]

Larry recomend Redwood City Farty to me for my work. Said to mention his name for a discount. He said no BS from them but the shop rate is high as with any place like this at about $140 USD. If you were thinking of Spencers for the repair he is closing next month.

Good luck

Dan

[solar]

should be under 2k$ all in IMO.

[solar]

this may be redundant but, have you done the standard clutch hydraulics system upgrade?

ss clutch line
new master cylinder
new slave cylinder

This will ensure your probs are not hydraulic related and give your car the clutch line it should have had from the factory. I also have a 95 s4s but i drive it alot! 700 miles/month

[Skerd]

Manuelin said:

they quoted me $5200 for the clutch replacement.

I just had mine replaced at the dealer, all factory Lotus parts, for $ 2004.07 and this included having the flywheel resurfaced. $ 5,200 is insane.

[t0oknyc72]

I had my clutch replaced for a little over $1400 total
which included a clutch kit from JAE,throw out bearing new tranny mounts and my dual exhausts installed.Car had 28k on it at the time.After tranny was removed and clutch checked out, mechanic told me the clutch was fine and I did not need a new one, all it needed was 15 minutes of adjustments to my shift cables and that was the cause of my problems which were not going into 1st and reverse gear at times and occasional slipping.Since he had the car apart I just had the new one put in since I bought the car used and wanted to have a record of when work was done for myself.The total job took 6hrs.I think he could have done it in less time.Have the mechanic or yourself remove the wing for better access, unscrew some screws in the trunk to remove the cover for access to the tranny area and lift out the tranny.Sounds simple because it is simple.Only thing is you have to sit in the trunk most of the time while removing and installing the tranny.

[solar]

i would take that 5200$ quote as a compliment. They saw your lotus and thought wow! heres a guy that can pay! It means your car looked AWESOME to them. just say thanx for the flatery but go somewhere else....

[Manuelin]

Thank you guys. As always, you've been of great help.
The master, slave and cluctch line had been already upgaded on it, so I truly believe I have a good working clutch which might just need adjustment. I am picking it up from the Ferrari/Bently dealer today. This was just typical Ferrari attidude to me. I am definetely not going back there. Thank you all for the great feedback.