Throw-away clutches?

[v8ed]

Hi all,

After driving a Chim500 for 5 years I'm looking into getting a Cerb at the moment, 2000+ 4.5 LW, and I was surprised to see that quite a few I have seen are already on a 2nd clutch. And that's after only 20 - 25 k .

Is this a common thing w/ Cerbs? Or have the previous owners just been bad drivers?

cheers,
Edwin.

[southendpier]

varies from car to car. I've had a few. View is the fingers on the clutch may snap. Remember though this is a massively revvy, powerful race engine getting the force through, any clutch would get hit hard.

There is a uprated clutch by Raceproved often called the Clever Trevor or CT clutch. These are often fitted as replacements by indy garages.

I have one now.

Don't buy a cerb if you think it can be run on a budget, some people get lucky but most will earmark 2-3k a year for keeping 'em going.

however, if you do get one you will not stop smiling, the most fun you can have with your trousers on.

Edited by southendpier on Friday 28th September 09:43

[Byker28i]

31K on my original clutch and still going strong.

It might be because I'm short and don't push the pedal all the way to the end stops?

[hugepiece]

Mine did just over 54k on what I believe to have been only 2 clutches - I don't think thats too bad considering it's performance! Just have a look on the Lambo forum if you wanna see some scary clutch life stories.....:-)

[julian64]

Its not the engine that destroys a cerb clutch. In fact I can't think of any poster who said his plate had been significantly worn away at the time it was replaced.

It tends to be the fingers that go. I think in part its to do with how the clutch was set up from new. Hydraulic clutch with no obvious stop and weak fingers. It was a match made in hell.

Learn the biting point of the clutch, and don't push it to the floor, or adjust the stop to make sure it can't go there.

[methodwares]

julian64 said:

Learn the biting point of the clutch, and don't push it to the floor, or adjust the stop to make sure it can't go there.

That's probably the best advice. I've set up my sitting and pedal positions so that I have to scoot my butt forward about 6 inches to get the clutch pedal to the floor. In my normal driving position, max reach of my foot is just past the bitting point. Also helps the the TVR designed 'traction control' in that I have point my toe like a ballet dancer to bury the throttle.

[FUBAR]

When I bought my Cerb the previous owner had recently put a new clutch in. That one lasted me about 8k miles. The replacement has lasted me 25k miles so far (but 2 feckin slaves)

[julian64]

FUBAR said:

When I bought my Cerb the previous owner had recently put a new clutch in. That one lasted me about 8k miles. The replacement has lasted me 25k miles so far (but 2 feckin slaves)

What was actually wrong with the old ones?

[FUBAR]

It stopped working? (you talking about the clutch?)

As it happens, it was when I had the engine out for something and was advised to change it.

Edited by FUBAR on Friday 28th September 12:30

[hugepiece]

mine lost every single finger off the clutch plates and the release bearing was knackered, however this was actually due to the car being stood for 6 months by last owner. Apparantly the plates themselves were actually OK. I decided to get a whole CT/Raceprooved kit fitted instead of another AP one which would prob fail again!