detailed video of clutch replacement for DIY
Discussion
Had my clutch done by Martins Aston Services near Glasgow and the video certainly shows the complexity of the job and helps justify the cost. Great job and fantastic improvement in weight and feel.
One issue not covered in the video is the fact that in the UK we unfortunately use salt in the winter to control snow and ice and even although I try to avoid taking my car out in the rain, never mind when salt is likely to be around, there were several nuts and bolts that were seized that required time, patience and in some cases, special tools to remove.
I have friend living on the Gold Coast of Australia and his 12 year old 100k+ km Audi daily driver is like new underneath. He does all his own maintenance and has never had a seized bolt and judging from the video, that Aston May had lived in a similar climate.
All I’m saying really is, if you plan to undertake a similar scale of job on your Aston, or any car for that matter, in the UK, be prepared to have a battle with seized or sheared bolts at some point!
One issue not covered in the video is the fact that in the UK we unfortunately use salt in the winter to control snow and ice and even although I try to avoid taking my car out in the rain, never mind when salt is likely to be around, there were several nuts and bolts that were seized that required time, patience and in some cases, special tools to remove.
I have friend living on the Gold Coast of Australia and his 12 year old 100k+ km Audi daily driver is like new underneath. He does all his own maintenance and has never had a seized bolt and judging from the video, that Aston May had lived in a similar climate.
All I’m saying really is, if you plan to undertake a similar scale of job on your Aston, or any car for that matter, in the UK, be prepared to have a battle with seized or sheared bolts at some point!
I have to say I was impressed by this chap and his video. Professional approach, good production values, decent tools, no bodges (except the oil filter) and seemed to have obtained all of the required background knowledge before starting the job, including access to the workshop manual and where some of the less-obvious fasteners were. Somewhat different from the usual "Let's wing it" YouTubers (looking at you, Matt)
The only moment that had me fearing for the engine was when he initially checked the oil level as though it was a conventional dipstick and commented that there wasn't much in it, but he'd clearly found out the correct procedure before he started it up as he mentions it later. I think he was also lucky that everything seemed to come undone with no sheared bolts. The little episode with the oil filter was also instructive - I, too, have misused screwdrivers like that with a similar result.
As has been said, a good guide as to why a Vantage clutch costs what it does. For those with a mechanical bent and a spare hour I found it a worth-while watch; not so interested in the lowering springs and the spacers, so I might skip through Part 2.
The only moment that had me fearing for the engine was when he initially checked the oil level as though it was a conventional dipstick and commented that there wasn't much in it, but he'd clearly found out the correct procedure before he started it up as he mentions it later. I think he was also lucky that everything seemed to come undone with no sheared bolts. The little episode with the oil filter was also instructive - I, too, have misused screwdrivers like that with a similar result.
As has been said, a good guide as to why a Vantage clutch costs what it does. For those with a mechanical bent and a spare hour I found it a worth-while watch; not so interested in the lowering springs and the spacers, so I might skip through Part 2.
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