New Clutch Time

[Saleen836]

After just shy of 225k miles my daily drive 2012 Astravan has decided enough is enough and now needs a clutch replacement, any make to avoid or are they all much the same?

[chris1roll]

I've changed 3 clutches on my own cars over the years.
In two of those three cases I ended up doing the job twice as the aftermarket kits (full kits) were no good - one of them wouldn't disengage fully on my MR2, and one slipped under load on my 480 Turbo. In both cases a kit supplied by the main dealer worked perfectly afterwards.

Lesson well and truly learned now, if the manufacturers own kit is still available, thats what I'm fitting from now on.

If not available, I'd probably suggest Sachs?

[Doesitdrive]

Not a difficult job on those, my mechanic does them in 30 minutes, as long as it ain't a recon, on something like that they are all pretty much the same.

[TwinKam]

No he doesn't.
He might've done a Mk1 or a Mk2 one in 30 minutes, but anything later and it's a good 3+ hours.

[finlo]

TwinKam said:

No he doesn't.
He might've done a Mk1 or a Mk2 one in 30 minutes, but anything later and it's a good 3+ hours.

That was good design on those early Astra's pinched from Datsun if I recall correctly.

[E-bmw]

First clutch I ever did on a Mk1.

Basically took 40 min from wheels on the road to wheels on the road, as a complete virgin.

Up to that point I had only ever done basic maintenance tasks.

[stevieturbo]

Doesitdrive said:

Not a difficult job on those, my mechanic does them in 30 minutes, as long as it ain't a recon, on something like that they are all pretty much the same.

No chance. Same as most Vauxhalls of that era, suspension cradle etc needs removed to do the job. That's easily 30 mins alone, after getting it onto the ramp before you even start the gearbox.

[Saleen836]

Van is booked in to be fixed next Tuesday for clutch and DMF replacement, was toying with just getting a new (to me) vehicle but decided I will hold off replacing.

[Saleen836]

Garage phoned earlier to say supplier had messed up and not sent the DMF with the clutch kit and will be delivered tomorrow, cost wise for job complete is around £1100

[E-bmw]

£1100 for the full job is pretty reasonable.

Did one on my previous V40, over £500 just in parts.

[stevieturbo]

E-bmw said:

£1100 for the full job is pretty reasonable.

Did one on my previous V40, over £500 just in parts.

even ebay price for the clutch kit/dmf is like £550

Prices have certainly gone up in recent years.

Another £550 in labour really isn't a lot of hours at most legit garage rates these days. It isn't a difficult job, but full suspension cradle needs dropped to allow the box out etc. So there is a bit of time involved, assuming no seized bolts etc
Certainly a lot easier with a ramp, than lying on your back lol although I've done both.

I did it quite a few times on my Combo van. It was rarely the clutch that gave bother, more the DMF but always changed the lot anyway, as downtime is more expensive and problematic than the cost of a few parts for preventative work.

[Saleen836]

Van not finished yet, they had a few problems with seized nuts/bolts and have also found the rear engine mount is failing so getting one in tomorrow and fitting it.

Don't think it is meant to do that
https://streamable.com/obq0hc

Edited by Saleen836 on Thursday 16th April 12:37

[Sardonicus]

Just to add dont even think about using the old DMF with that mileage my choice would be LUK /Schaeffler , Sachs, Valeo for the clutch/FW assy and in that brand order , like mentioned above I miss doing those early Astra/Cavalier clutches I still have the small slide hammer and 3 clips for the job and yes about 1/2 hour was not far off

[E-bmw]

I didn't need the slide hammer, but also still got the clips & "star" bit for the shaft removal.

[Dynion Araf Uchaf]

Saleen836 said:

Van not finished yet, they had a few problems with seized nuts/bolts and have also found the rear engine mount is failing so getting one in tomorrow and fitting it.

Don't think it is meant to do that
https://streamable.com/obq0hc

Edited by Saleen836 on Thursday 16th April 12:37

Brace yourself
They re lubing you up for an increase in price.

£1600 I reckon.

[Sardonicus]

E-bmw said:

I didn't need the slide hammer, but also still got the clips & "star" bit for the shaft removal.

M7 bolt and a pair of mole grips also pulled the input shaft IIRC

[E-bmw]

Sardonicus said:

E-bmw said:

I didn't need the slide hammer, but also still got the clips & "star" bit for the shaft removal.

M7 bolt and a pair of mole grips also pulled the input shaft IIRC

I didn't know that one.

[TwinKam]

E-bmw said:

Sardonicus said:

E-bmw said:

I didn't need the slide hammer, but also still got the clips & "star" bit for the shaft removal.

M7 bolt and a pair of mole grips also pulled the input shaft IIRC

I didn't know that one.

And, in case you didn't have an M7 bolt in your back pocket... GM thoughtfully used them on the gearbox casings, so you could always 'borrow' one!

[Saleen836]

Dynion Araf Uchaf said:

Saleen836 said:

Van not finished yet, they had a few problems with seized nuts/bolts and have also found the rear engine mount is failing so getting one in tomorrow and fitting it.

Don't think it is meant to do that
https://streamable.com/obq0hc

Edited by Saleen836 on Thursday 16th April 12:37

Brace yourself
They re lubing you up for an increase in price.

£1600 I reckon.

All sorted and back on my drive, they even washed it! total £1200

[E-bmw]

TwinKam said:

E-bmw said:

Sardonicus said:

E-bmw said:

I didn't need the slide hammer, but also still got the clips & "star" bit for the shaft removal.

M7 bolt and a pair of mole grips also pulled the input shaft IIRC

I didn't know that one.

And, in case you didn't have an M7 bolt in your back pocket... GM thoughtfully used them on the gearbox casings, so you could always 'borrow' one!

They REALLY did design that one well didn't they?

Here is how easy it can be & we will NEVER do it again! Thanks.