Cerbera clutch gone in 8 months !

[anonymous-user]

Need your thoughts / advice.

Had a brand new clutch fitted to my Cerbera in February this year. It was the recommended clutch and fitted by a TVR dealer.

Just had the car in for a 24K service and they say that the clutch has very nearly gone and needs replacing !!!

Now this isn't a cheap job either (probably about £1k), where do I stand legally? Do you think there is anything I can do?

Note: I have covered about 5000 miles on the clutch.

Thanks for any help/advice.

[Podie]

Surely any replacement part (if fitted by an authorised or approved dealer) would carry some kind of warranty?

In my experience any work has usually been covered by either 12 or 36 months warranty...

Have you still got the paperwork from the clutch replacement? This may help indicate where you stand.

[salty-nlv]

I d not think the clutch will comem under any warranty unfortunatley, much like brake pads, tyres etc as this comes under how you drive the car, whther you thrash it, how it is looked after etc.

In computer speak it would be classed as a 'peripheral'...(possibly in other speak also!!!!)

[anonymous-user]

quote:
Surely any replacement part (if fitted by an authorised or approved dealer) would carry some kind of warranty?

In my experience any work has usually been covered by either 12 or 36 months warranty...

Have you still got the paperwork from the clutch replacement? This may help indicate where you stand.

Thats what I thought, but the dealer says that the clutch is only covered by a 6 month parts warranty.

Do you think there could be anycome back on the manufacturer of the clutch? Do you think the clutch could have been poorly fitted or faulty at installation time?

[Podie]

salty-nlv - I think I've seen them referred to as "consumables" in the motor industry.

I can see why a clutch would be regarded as this, but 8 months / 5000 miles does seem a bit poor.

Sorry, can't really offer any more advice than I have done.

[ByronTVR]

quote:
They say that the clutch has very nearly gone and needs replacing !!!

Do you feel the Clutch to slip ? as the car accelerates hard? if not then you do not need replacement (for now )

Cheers.

[douglasr]

Last clutch I had fitted was guaranteed for 12 months or 12000 miles (BMW).

I would argue with the dealer...a clutch should last a lot longet than 5000 miles unless you drag race or use it as a foot rest.

[joospeed]

quote:Need your thoughts / advice.

Had a brand new clutch fitted to my Cerbera in February this year. It was the recommended clutch and fitted by a TVR dealer.

Just had the car in for a 24K service and they say that the clutch has very nearly gone and needs replacing !!!

Now this isn't a cheap job either (probably about £1k), where do I stand legally? Do you think there is anything I can do?

Note: I have covered about 5000 miles on the clutch.

Thanks for any help/advice.

How old is your car mr bandit? and how do they know it's on it's last legs? seems convenient that it's just out of it's 6 month warranty period too .. bugger

[anonymous-user]

Jools,

Car is 1999 Cerbera Speed Six.
It has covered 22k miles.

They say that clutch bite point is high and that it was a bit of a struggle finding reverse.

I've not noticed any difference myself but am very concerned by the dealer noting this in the service report under "Recommended that these items need attention " section.

[nubbin]

Take it to an independent and get it inspected - it might cost a bit, but it certainly won't cost £1000!!

[P7ULG]

They say that clutch bite point is high and that it was a bit of a struggle finding reverse.

Selecting reverse can be difficult at the best of times, hence the entry in the handbook to select 5th gear then come back into reverse.Not necessarily a sign of the clutch being on its way out.

[anonymous-user]

quote:
Take it to an independent and get it inspected - it might cost a bit, but it certainly won't cost £1000!!

Parts alone are £750 !

The labour at an independent would obviously be cheaper but you've still got all this money just for the parts.

Still going to be around a grand I reackon.

>> Edited by bandit on Monday 23 September 14:56

[joospeed]

quote:

They say that clutch bite point is high and that it was a bit of a struggle finding reverse.

Selecting reverse can be difficult at the best of times, hence the entry in the handbook to select 5th gear then come back into reverse.Not necessarily a sign of the clutch being on its way out.

too true, and high bite point isn't a sign of a knackered clutch either. on an hydraulic system the bite point is goverened by lots of factors, but primarily the bit you feel is the point at which the recuperating valve in the master cylinder is covered which is the point at which the system is pressurised. as long as that valve (a small hole really) is tiotally uncovered when the pedal is fully out then all line pressure dissappears and the clutch is as good as it's going to ever get in power transfer terms unless you physically alter something like friction linings or pressure plate clamping force. changing the clutch will NOT change the bite point or point at which disengagemnt occurs unless the clutch is physically diferent in some way and will be a COMPLETE waste of money. If however the clutch is slipping then it needs changing, if it isn't then leave well alone. and change dealer instead.

[anonymous-user]

Jools,

Thanks again for your advice.
Being such an amateur when it comes to cars, I have to accept what I am told by the "experts".
Obviously I need to learn more about how cars work!

Well I'll leave the clutch well alone then and presume it's OK. (It works fine at the moment and it certainly isn't slipping).

Do still suffer every now and again when finding reverse (I use the through 5th-> reverse mechanism) but as was pointed out, this is a characteristic of the car.

Thanks again everyone, I appreciate your efforts/advice !

[bjwoods]

I remember one main dealer telling me that my clutch was on the way out.. high biting point, etc on my old Griff 5 years ago.

Another main dealer (I sold the car through them) didn't find a problem. 5 years on they still know of the car and NO it hasn't had a new clutch yet!!

The new owner also wants to know if I ever sell my current griff as my old one had obviously had much tlc.

GET someelse to have a look at it (for reassurance)

I'm sure you would some notice it yourself if it started to go.

B

[ByronTVR]

Just a tip bandit,
When the Clutch start slipping, and needs change,(if you can affort) you could find a "better" clutch in quality and perfomance combined with lighter flywheel so the engine will rev up much better and the gear changes will be more efficient

Cheers,
ByronTVR

[P7ULG]

Know its not a cerbera but noticed this in thread about high mileage TVRs



Thursday 19th September
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Colin Logans Chimaera 102,000 miles (at least - probably much more by now)
www.pistonheads.com/members/showCar.asp?carId=580
Still on original clutch & no rebuilds or engine or drivetrain!!!!?????
Was running pretty sweetly last time I saw it...

[Ston]

As a general rule, if I want to keep the warranty valid, then I get the dealers to do all the regular work, but if anything else comes up, I get it done by a reputable independant.

My 2 pence would be get the service done and nothing else, and get an independant to take a look.

[adamb]

So can one change the bit point of the clutch then?

[joospeed]

quote:
So can one change the bit point of the clutch then?

yes you can but I don't know why anyone would want to, as long as everything is working as it should then there's no improvement to be had other than a mental one ie it might "feel" a bit better, but won't be in pure clutch terms.