Twinplate clutch
Discussion
My clutch is due to be changed but I had a surprise when I started to investigate which clutch to use on my 2006 V8V 4.3 manual.
I went to two AM main dealers and one indi' for quotes on the twinplate versus standard clutch. Two of the well respected garages said that they have stopped recommending the twinplate due to customer complaints about gearbox chatter. Any thoughts?
I went to two AM main dealers and one indi' for quotes on the twinplate versus standard clutch. Two of the well respected garages said that they have stopped recommending the twinplate due to customer complaints about gearbox chatter. Any thoughts?
ukstmoo said:
I went to two AM main dealers and one indi' for quotes on the twinplate versus standard clutch. Two of the well respected garages said that they have stopped recommending the twinplate due to customer complaints about gearbox chatter. Any thoughts?
Yes, you are likely to get a little chatter at idle and very low revs. Should that stop you getting the superior product that a twin plate clutch and lightweight flywheel is? Well, the answer to that depends on how you use and what you want from your Vantage. If you want to cruise about at 56mph in maximum refinement and luxury then you bought the wrong Aston Martin and should sell it and get a DB9 (or a Bentley). If you want it to be the best sports car it can be then I'm sure you're happy to put up with a little gear chatter for a split second before you plant your right foot to the floor.The problem is when people aren't properly informed of what to expect before they go for a twin plate. Those who have less interest in the dynamic ability and drivability of their car than a slight noise it makes at idle should not go for a twin plate. The choice is yours. It's a bit like someone taking a GT3 RS back to their Porsche dealer and complaining that it's noisy and uncomfortable: "Er yes Sir. We'll take it back and here's a Cayenne for you instead."
Bamford Rose posted a Youtube video on gearbox chatter - worth watching.
So.... BR fitted a twin-plate clutch / lighter flywheel fitted to my 2006 4.3 last Nov. I had a bit of gearbox chatter before the car went in - to replicate, put the car into 2nd, slow right down to crawling pace, put your foot down, and you may hear a graunching noise as the car picks up speed.
Mike at BR checked my car before doing the clutch and said the chatter was "typical & not remarkable", so they fitted the lighter flywheel he had available. When I picked the car up, the chatter was more noticeable, which left me a little worried. It was made worse as I collected the car at night, and the lights, A/C etc were all on, so the engine was more loaded.
Anyway, I contacted Mike and he said as the clutch beds in the chatter will reduce, and by1.5k miles it should be gone. He also added if I'm not happy they can fit the heavier flywheel (but I'll lose some of the performance gains with the lighter flywheel). Anyway, I stuck with it and 800 miles later the chatter is pretty much non-existent so I'm happy I didn't take up his offer!
So.... BR fitted a twin-plate clutch / lighter flywheel fitted to my 2006 4.3 last Nov. I had a bit of gearbox chatter before the car went in - to replicate, put the car into 2nd, slow right down to crawling pace, put your foot down, and you may hear a graunching noise as the car picks up speed.
Mike at BR checked my car before doing the clutch and said the chatter was "typical & not remarkable", so they fitted the lighter flywheel he had available. When I picked the car up, the chatter was more noticeable, which left me a little worried. It was made worse as I collected the car at night, and the lights, A/C etc were all on, so the engine was more loaded.
Anyway, I contacted Mike and he said as the clutch beds in the chatter will reduce, and by1.5k miles it should be gone. He also added if I'm not happy they can fit the heavier flywheel (but I'll lose some of the performance gains with the lighter flywheel). Anyway, I stuck with it and 800 miles later the chatter is pretty much non-existent so I'm happy I didn't take up his offer!
Edited by S1-NOS on Wednesday 28th October 13:43
^^^^^^ It's all true!
I wasn't aware of the issue when I had mine done, in my defence this is my first Aston and it was after 200 miles of driving it from the dealer. It was unnerving to start with but all part of the experience. I have just bought a Caterham 7 with a mate for the track and I can tell you that the LSD with sintered plates is a whining, clonking, banging bag of heavy tools. It makes the occasional buzz and zing of the Aston a comparative Siren's song...
Odd the dealers just didn't say 'this is a performance upgrade but there will be some increased gearbox chatter'? Ho hum.
I wasn't aware of the issue when I had mine done, in my defence this is my first Aston and it was after 200 miles of driving it from the dealer. It was unnerving to start with but all part of the experience. I have just bought a Caterham 7 with a mate for the track and I can tell you that the LSD with sintered plates is a whining, clonking, banging bag of heavy tools. It makes the occasional buzz and zing of the Aston a comparative Siren's song...
Odd the dealers just didn't say 'this is a performance upgrade but there will be some increased gearbox chatter'? Ho hum.
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