2006 V8V Needs a New Clutch - Suggestions!
Discussion
Hello everyone! As some of you may recall, I pulled the trigger on my V8V just over a month ago, well.. I finally picked it up and it's been brilliant, I've loved every minute!
Sadly however, the clutch has just started playing silly buggers. I thought it was coming near the end of it's life, but wasn't expecting it to be quite so soon! Started with being difficult to launch, then making a bit of a nasty grumbly noise when pulling away with any more than 1.5k revs in from the lights (I haven't dared give it a full launch due to clutch worries!) and I just got back from a test on an estate, and on the way home I felt it slip slightly accelerating in 4th.
I did a quick search and found a lot of old threads, so was just wondering.. What's the recommended replacement clutch in 2022? Also, is there anyone that comes recommended local to the Hampshire area? These guys AHM are very local to me https://www.astonmartincare.co.uk/ - but I've not seen their name banded around as much as say McGurk and Bamford Rose, who are a bit of a way away.
One last thing.. Supposed to be taking the Vantage on a 300 mile round trip (mostly M-way) this weekend... I'm guessing with the clutch just starting to slip, that's probably a no-go now?
Any input will be very greatly received!
Cheers
Matt
Sadly however, the clutch has just started playing silly buggers. I thought it was coming near the end of it's life, but wasn't expecting it to be quite so soon! Started with being difficult to launch, then making a bit of a nasty grumbly noise when pulling away with any more than 1.5k revs in from the lights (I haven't dared give it a full launch due to clutch worries!) and I just got back from a test on an estate, and on the way home I felt it slip slightly accelerating in 4th.
I did a quick search and found a lot of old threads, so was just wondering.. What's the recommended replacement clutch in 2022? Also, is there anyone that comes recommended local to the Hampshire area? These guys AHM are very local to me https://www.astonmartincare.co.uk/ - but I've not seen their name banded around as much as say McGurk and Bamford Rose, who are a bit of a way away.
One last thing.. Supposed to be taking the Vantage on a 300 mile round trip (mostly M-way) this weekend... I'm guessing with the clutch just starting to slip, that's probably a no-go now?
Any input will be very greatly received!
Cheers
Matt
Unless your car has greater than average gear chatter, then the twin plate clutch is worthwhile.
Twin plate still OK if you do have excess gear chatter, but in that case keep to a standard flywheel and not the (usual) lighter flywheel, because the chatter gets worse.
Longer life (greater friction surface area) far lighter clutch pedal and smoother bite point.
Is your car manual or Sportshift?
Obviously lighter clutch pedal only applicable to manual.
I think only Bamford Rose will fit a twin plate to Sportshift cars.
Matt, I had the AHM twin plate clutch/lightened flywheel fitted about two years ago, it's been brilliant, lighter pedal, excellent all round.
Adrian the owner is a great guy, straight talking and down to earth, they do all Aston work and use the correct Aston software etc. A very worthwhile upgrade given the cost is about the same as a stock OEM unit.
I would recommend them completely.
I can also recommend Phoenix Aston in Basingstoke (Paul is a great guy and does my servicing) and also Vantage Engineering near Guildford, Terry the owner used to run a two car Vantage race team and now runs an excellent set up catering for cars from DB2 to the modern stuff. Had my suspension replaced by them with their own system.
Happy to meet if you want, often see other Aston owners at Blackbushe Airport for a coffee and chat.
Adrian the owner is a great guy, straight talking and down to earth, they do all Aston work and use the correct Aston software etc. A very worthwhile upgrade given the cost is about the same as a stock OEM unit.
I would recommend them completely.
I can also recommend Phoenix Aston in Basingstoke (Paul is a great guy and does my servicing) and also Vantage Engineering near Guildford, Terry the owner used to run a two car Vantage race team and now runs an excellent set up catering for cars from DB2 to the modern stuff. Had my suspension replaced by them with their own system.
Happy to meet if you want, often see other Aston owners at Blackbushe Airport for a coffee and chat.
Edited by BiggaJ on Thursday 25th August 22:13
Edited by BiggaJ on Thursday 25th August 22:14
Edited by BiggaJ on Friday 26th August 12:54
I can also vouch for AHM, who I used to do a full wheel alignment on my V8V. Adrian really knows his stuff.
I would also recommend Vantage Engineering who did my clutch last year and put in a new twin plate with lighter flywheel. I was very pleased with their attention to detail and customer service.
I'm also local and often blast past Blackbushe airport on a weekend drive. More than happy to meet up if you want to 'feel' how different the twin plate clutch is.
I would also recommend Vantage Engineering who did my clutch last year and put in a new twin plate with lighter flywheel. I was very pleased with their attention to detail and customer service.
I'm also local and often blast past Blackbushe airport on a weekend drive. More than happy to meet up if you want to 'feel' how different the twin plate clutch is.
Thank you very much for the advice and recommendations - I shall speak to AHM later today and see when they can fit me in!
As for driving.. do you think if I’m doing careful long distance stuff it’ll be okay? I don’t want to break anything and have never had a knackered clutch before.. which is strange given how unsympathetic I’ve been to a couple of my cars when launching them in my younger years!
P.s. would love to meet some other owners for a coffee! Maybe we could get a handful of people together on weekend?
As for driving.. do you think if I’m doing careful long distance stuff it’ll be okay? I don’t want to break anything and have never had a knackered clutch before.. which is strange given how unsympathetic I’ve been to a couple of my cars when launching them in my younger years!
P.s. would love to meet some other owners for a coffee! Maybe we could get a handful of people together on weekend?
ShadFx said:
Thank you very much for the advice and recommendations - I shall speak to AHM later today and see when they can fit me in!
As for driving.. do you think if I’m doing careful long distance stuff it’ll be okay? I don’t want to break anything and have never had a knackered clutch before.. which is strange given how unsympathetic I’ve been to a couple of my cars when launching them in my younger years!
P.s. would love to meet some other owners for a coffee! Maybe we could get a handful of people together on weekend?
If it were me I wouldn't chance it, while it may be OK on the motorway driving steadily, you may have further issues when off the motorway and if you hit traffic (highly likely on a bank holiday weekend) then you could be left high and dry.As for driving.. do you think if I’m doing careful long distance stuff it’ll be okay? I don’t want to break anything and have never had a knackered clutch before.. which is strange given how unsympathetic I’ve been to a couple of my cars when launching them in my younger years!
P.s. would love to meet some other owners for a coffee! Maybe we could get a handful of people together on weekend?
Like you, I am up for a meet at a weekend, Blackbushe is a suitable place I think. Send me and the others a message and we can get something arranged.
I Can confirm the AHM solution is just superb !!! and certainly the best upgrade I have ever had done. They use the genuine Aston clutch and also tweak the software via their AMDS system to ensure the car is set up at optimum for the new clutch / flywheel etc.
The result was a change like night and day....
A clutch which I installed myself about 6 years ago was removed and the twin plate installed. My beloved 2006 V8V now changes gear just as my 2017 daily driver 3 series does with a precision, smooth, perfectly engineered operation every time.
I also like the set up at AHM, traditional hands on engineering skills lead by Adie, who is in my view a total auto engineering "guru"
Can't praise them enough !
The result was a change like night and day....
A clutch which I installed myself about 6 years ago was removed and the twin plate installed. My beloved 2006 V8V now changes gear just as my 2017 daily driver 3 series does with a precision, smooth, perfectly engineered operation every time.
I also like the set up at AHM, traditional hands on engineering skills lead by Adie, who is in my view a total auto engineering "guru"
Can't praise them enough !
Jon39 said:
Unless your car has greater than average gear chatter, then the twin plate clutch is worthwhile.
Twin plate still OK if you do have excess gear chatter, but in that case keep to a standard flywheel and not the (usual) lighter flywheel, because the chatter gets worse.
Longer life (greater friction surface area) far lighter clutch pedal and smoother bite point.
Is your car manual or Sportshift?
Obviously lighter clutch pedal only applicable to manual.
I think only Bamford Rose will fit a twin plate to Sportshift cars.
You can easily remedy the chatter by increasing the idle RPM level, but it does require an engine tune. Engine tunes are common mods so it's not a big stretch to have it done at the same time as the clutch.
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