Clutch life & warning signs?

[Mattt]

Currently on 20k miles, with no signs of clutch issues.

I am told they go at around 20k miles, and as I'm thinking of exporting the car is it sensible to get the clutch & slaves done by someone who knows TVRs before they fail?

Any warning signs aside from slippage (which doesn't occur)? I read that the fingers go before the friction plate though.

2006 T350 btw.

[NTEL]

As you say, its the fingers that normally break off making gear changes difficult. Slave seals can also be problematic. My clutch, in the Tuscan, is still going strong after 36,000 miles so I can only say what I've been told as I've never had to change one. If I was going to export it then I would probably change it to be on the safe side. Not a specialist job to do though.

[julianc]

NTEL said:

As you say, its the fingers that normally break off making gear changes difficult. Slave seals can also be problematic. My clutch, in the Tuscan, is still going strong after 36,000 miles so I can only say what I've been told as I've never had to change one. If I was going to export it then I would probably change it to be on the safe side. Not a specialist job to do though.

Dave, not surprising that you're still on the original clutch, you do drive around quite slowly!

I know I shouldn't temp fate, but my (original) clutch is fine after around 28k.

Good to see you're having fun in the new racer.

[Pursyluv]

Mine went at 26k, there were no real clues leading up to the moment it let go, just a little difficulty in selecting gears when cold or stationary, however when it went it went, started with a squealing sound and within half a mile the warning lights were on and i could no longer select gears, blocked the A57 into Sheffield, quite embarrasing really.

[rico23]

I chose to change mine at 26k. It was getting difficult to get first when cold, the clutch pedal was very heavy and the gear stick itself had play in it.

Had it changed before a European trip as I was afraid it would go whilst I was out there and all the above went away.

[RicSpeedSix]

As per others very little warning. Mine went at around 26k on a European trip last year. It felt a little heavier on the morning it went but was still working fine half way up the route Napoleon. Stopped to fill up and pulling out of the garage it baulked into 2nd. Managed to nurse another 50k before I had to stop at roadworks where it died. On recovery to UK Jason advised fingers had snapped as per usual culprit.

[Session]

Mine went at around 34k, started getting a little hard to select gear, took it straight to Sussex TVR where we booked it in for new clutch, drove home and it went completely as I was putting it in the garage. All this in less than 100 miles.

[Templedog]

Similar, started having trouble selecting 1st and reverse, within 50 miles it had gone. Worth getting it looked at at the first sign of trouble.

[jrb43]

Dom did mine when the engine had to come out for other reasons at around 20K. I hadn't noticed any problems but he felt it was worth doing at that point.

[Robertjp]

my clutch has now does 12k so starting to think about it....

I am considering taking out the AA parts and garage warranty for this reason specifically!! I.E. to help me home and pay towards the bill.

Question is WHEN to get the cover?! Warning signs are little to none from this thread so i guess end of year i will be taking out the cover (i do around 3k per year)

[GTRene]

are there no better/other clutch kits that won't brake?
I mean this sounds scary...strange after the first signs...normally in other cars the signs are more clutch slip and then more slip and the you know you need new ones soon
So a bit more time to react.

[TitusA]

Are there any consistent signs? Mine has done 12k miles and whilst the car is new to me, I seem to find it hard to stop 'nicking' 5th as I change up without letting the revs drop right away.

[Pursyluv]

Mine now has the RaceProved slave which is probably a step in the right direction

[RedSpike66]

Do the new clutches have the same problems? i.e. fragile fingers that snap long before the friction plates wear out ?
Also, what does the RP slave cylinder give you over the standard one ??

I'm beginning to exibit clutch problems like described above...

[7 TVR]

26 on the clock and as discussed before started to have trouble getting into 1st and towards the end of my last session at Spa noticed a bit of slip, cars made it home ok but its of to Jason me thinks!

[TVR_owner]

7 TVR said:

26 on the clock and as discussed before started to have trouble getting into 1st and towards the end of my last session at Spa noticed a bit of slip, cars made it home ok but its of to Jason me thinks!

Was the clutch not changed when the engine was rebuilt?

[KillerJim]

The fingers went on mine (thankfully replaced under warranty about 3 years ago..)

It became difficult to get into 1st gear at a stand-still, any slight forward movement and she slipped into gear - 5th was difficult from what I remember.

[7 TVR]

TVR_owner said:

Was the clutch not changed when the engine was rebuilt?

I had assumed this but i'm told by the previous owner no, the car stayed at hexham hc whilst the engine was sent down to Jason from what i can ascertain!
I have no experiance of the standard 3.6 or st diff , but i have been blown away by the car's performance and reliability.
The previous owner made some very well thought out mods both performance and handling wise saving me the time and money! In fact it was as if i had specced the car myself.
I was only keeping it till the Griff was finished but now cannot bring myself to sell such a complete package!
Only problem is i can't stop looking at Ultima's but know my wife will leave me if i buy another car without selling one :[

[TVR_owner]

7 TVR said:

TVR_owner said:

Was the clutch not changed when the engine was rebuilt?

I had assumed this but i'm told by the previous owner no, the car stayed at hexham hc whilst the engine was sent down to Jason from what i can ascertain!
I have no experiance of the standard 3.6 or st diff , but i have been blown away by the car's performance and reliability.
The previous owner made some very well thought out mods both performance and handling wise saving me the time and money! In fact it was as if i had specced the car myself.
I was only keeping it till the Griff was finished but now cannot bring myself to sell such a complete package!
Only problem is i can't stop looking at Ultima's but know my wife will leave me if i buy another car without selling one :[

You know the car always was a 4.0 litre Christian?

[7 TVR]

TVR_owner said:

You know the car always was a 4.0 litre Christian?

Yes i was told it was specced from the factory as a 4l but as i understand it the engine did not last that long?
The car was obviously driven hard @ Zolder etc setting some very respectable times and i also have pushed the car at Snetterton and Spa 3 times so i'm impressed the clutch has lasted so long. I know the previous owner took great care of the car which i have carried on with Jason @ str8six, i found the SC power engine mounts had literally melted and the clutch master cylinder had to be replaced but apart from that she purrs like a kitten on steroids!
My only gripe would be the carbon race seat is fixed and even with the peddle box in its closest position my short arse legs just about reach ;]
But it means no one over 5.7 can drive the car [shame]
By the way you have lovely collection of cars there, would love a passenger ride in one of the classics if there ever being offered!!!