What should I do?

[v8woollie]

My car is in having an oil seal leak fixed (where the torque tube goes into the engine if that makes sense - I didn't fully understand). The garage called to ask if I would like to have the clutch replaced as they can go at around the 20K miles mark and if I have it done whilst they are working in that area they would waive the labour charge. I asked if it needed replacing and they said not at the moment but they wanted to make the offer as they only have to remove another few bolts and then they can access the clutch so they would not charge the labour.

Is it worth getting it done and saving the labour or just waiting until it goes and then speaking to BR to get the upgraded clutch and flywheel fitted, albeit at more cost? I am thinking about the Geneva trip coming up and the fact that my car has 17.5K miles on the original clutch. I don't want it failing in the middle of France or Switzerland. That said, I know there are many people here who have much more than 20K miles on the original clutch.

[gibbon]

Why dont you get the garage to measure the wear left on the clutch and then make an informed decision?

[ds2000]

I'd be tempted to go back to them and ask them to inspect the clutch, if its just a few more nuts and bolts it won't cost more than 30 minutes work. There are a few that have lasted over 50k on here.

[Cockernee]

My old V8V did 30K on the clutch and was replaced due to a fault in the springs and not wear. It depends on how you drive Simon (and the previous owner). While it is always tempting to replace for free labour, you are still replacing with a part that is considered to be inferior. If it has 17.5K on it and you only do 5 - 6K per annum then that is a couple of years motoring left. Do you do much stop start motoring or reverse regularly uphill onto a drive or generally longer journeys??

I am all for replacing parts when you are in the area, but not if it is perfectly good and about a grand in parts probably..... I would put the money towards a proper clutch in future.. Just my 2p worth.

I am sure everyone else will say, whilst in there replace for the free labour and false economy not to do so. I say why replace something that is still serviceable and a better option exists once it does fail. Get the dealer to do a proper visual inspection and decide.

[v8woollie]

Thanks everyone. I don't drive my car into London so do not have a lot of stop start movement for hours on end. I drive locally and we are fairly rural so the roads are pretty clear with a few sets of traffic lights being the main reasons to stop. Certainly not what I would term stop/start. That said, I don't know what type of driving the previous owner had done, and he put the first 14,5K miles on the car. I do around 3-4K miles per year.

I have asked the dealer to let me know what they would charge to inspect the clutch. Can it be 'measured' for wear and expected life left? They could of course say that I need a clutch and to be honest how would I know, but I assume they will be totally honest about it?

[Bincenzo]

^^^

I'm with Cockers on this, but purely my opinion. It sounds to me that there is no real evidence to support the fact that the clutch will go imminently, other than 'they all go at about 20k', which seems like tosh to me. The recent poll conducted on here suggested that it varies massively, so unless you know anything to the contrary, I'd stick with it. If you're really worried, you need to get the clutch inspected for both wear and the integrity of the spring (I don't know how easy that is to do). Just my opinion though!

[v8woollie]

OK, panic over!! Wow, I do worry about things

The dealer just called back and they think (although they said it is hard to gauge accurately, that there is about 50% wear on the clutch. So I think I will stay with it and go to BR when it eventually needs replacement.

I have to say the dealer has always been nothing but first rate to deal with - really pleased that I went to them for my first Aston experience. It makes a big difference.

All is well again in my world

[Bincenzo]

And relax....good man!

[Lunablack]

I'm of the opinion that those that have needed new clutches at low mileages, have not been sympathetic in their driving style...
(Not all cases obviously)

But my neighbour is a case in point..... He has no need to, as he could easily drive in forwards, but he insists on reversing up quite a steep drive... There's no way he can do it without slipping the clutch.... Whereas if he drove up, he could reverse down the slope, which is much more forgiving...

Our cars have done similar mileages, it'll be interesting to see who needs a clutch first...

Mine is on 22k... And shows no signs whatsoever of needing a clutch any time soon...

[BamfordMike]

v8woollie said:

they think (although they said it is hard to gauge accurately, that there is about 50% wear on the clutch.

Glad all is well in your world.

The clutch life / wear statement when bell housing is removed is rather easy to reliably make actually, and in the same way you are told if your tyres need replacing due to closeness to minimum tread depth, the same can be done here.

If your clutch did need replacing you should have been given this sort of info to make a call from and not a guess of life remaining without data.

With vernier callipers measure friction pad depth to face of rivits. Compare this measurement with data from brand new part.

If pad thickness is 5mm new and you have 2.5mm now you are 50% worn - simple

Luna, next time your bell housing is off a video is in order...

[v8woollie]

BamfordMike said:

Glad all is well in your world.

The clutch life / wear statement when bell housing is removed is rather easy to reliably make actually, and in the same way you are told if your tyres need replacing due to closeness to minimum tread depth, the same can be done here.

If your clutch did need replacing you should have been given this sort of info to make a call from and not a guess of life remaining without data.

With vernier callipers measure friction pad depth to face of rivits. Compare this measurement with data from brand new part.

If pad thickness is 5mm new and you have 2.5mm now you are 50% worn - simple

Luna, next time your bell housing is off a video is in order...

Thanks Mike. The p&j will be with you on Thursday morning anyway so you may have your own view based upon driving the car. To be honest the clutch feels fine to me, biting about halfway or just above halfway through the travel. I shall leave it to you to tell me what needs to be done and what doesn't. I'll bring all the documentation of all the work done since I have had the car.

Looking forward to the drive up (and of course the Halford Hotel brekkie!)

[Little Donkey]

v8woollie said:

OK, panic over!! Wow, I do worry about things

The dealer just called back and they think (although they said it is hard to gauge accurately, that there is about 50% wear on the clutch. So I think I will stay with it and go to BR when it eventually needs replacement.

I have to say the dealer has always been nothing but first rate to deal with - really pleased that I went to them for my first Aston experience. It makes a big difference.

All is well again in my world

Grange?

[krisdelta]

My car has just clicked over to 40k and on the original clutch - I'd replace when it's worn out, not before. You'd be pretty upset if it came out only 30% worn!

[v8woollie]

Little Donkey said:

Grange?

[Jockman]

Simon

If in doubt....do nowt

[V8LM]

Jockman said:

Simon

If in doubt....do nowt

^^^This^^^

"While you are at it" has been the road to ruin for many an Aston owner.