Cerbera 4.5 clutch

[jaydom]

Hello everybody,
i just own a cerbera from 2001, a 4.5.
I read all over the web that a fragile part is the clutch of this car, and, as i live in France, i would like to by one by myself to have one (quite difficult to find parts over there).
Indeed, i will have it in the car, and if it breaks, i will have it already !
Question :
What are the symptoms that can deliver some informations about the near breakdown ?
I understood that it seems that the AP Racing one has a design default and "lives" 20000 miles.
Is there another brand that offers better reliability ?
Which model ?
Note that my car gives me a lot of pleasure (as my classic 2500M !)
Hoping to read you soon
Kind regards
Jerome

[spongy]

Think the clutch life depends on luck and how you drive it bud.There are a few other issues that can give problems so its hard to tell untill it happens.i think from experience Ap are very good units,but thats my opinion.Also i may be wrong here but i dont think you have to many options as Ap are about the only ones who do the clutch kit.The crew will be along soon to help out,they all get up late on sundays cos they have been under their cars all week(not Fubes).

[itiejim]

I think 20,000 miles is OK for a clutch of this type. The AP one is of good quality and I believe that the issues they had with the finger springs breaking has been resolved. TVR Power do a higher rated one if you feel it's necessary.

Probably more of a problem is the slave cylinder - if you are going to buy a clutch you'd be mad not to at least strip the slave and change the seals - a seal kit is about £25 if I remember correctly.

[FUBAR]

spongy said:

they have been under their cars all week(not Fubes).

[cerdad]

I had a aluminium release bearing fitted as the repair kits dont tend to last.The clutch became smooth,lighter ,no longer a switch ,everyone who has tried it says it feels like a japanese clutch in feel and pressure.
Expensive but worth it.

[Billy_rfc]

itiejim said:

TVR Power do a higher rated one if you feel it's necessary.

There's only the one clutch to chose from, the standard ap racing item. 20k has been my average for clutch life, and having just done mine a couple of months ago, I also fitted a hatch in the bell housing to allow the clutch to be visibly checked in future.

[itiejim]

Billy_rfc said:

There's only the one clutch to chose from, the standard ap racing item. 20k has been my average for clutch life, and having just done mine a couple of months ago, I also fitted a hatch in the bell housing to allow the clutch to be visibly checked in future.

Err nope, definitely two

http://www.tvrpower.co.uk/store/slug/genuine-a-p-r...

http://www.tvrpower.co.uk/store/slug/uprated-a-p-r...

[Gazzab]

I have a raceproved one.

[Billy_rfc]

Raceproved don't do one now, and when on the phone to power, they only sell the one(Feb 2011).

[Mr Cerbera]

I guess I must be a REAL pussycat. Still on the same clutch after 41K.

Changed the seals last year (The rubber seal breaks down and you can find black pieces in the Clutch Master Cylinder reservoir).

Mr. Lightfoot

[jaydom]

thanks for all tour answers !
great !
question :
do you know Techniclutch ?
They told me that they can sell me a cerbera clutch for 300£ that is making less about the prices i've found...
I'm wondering if this part is an AP Racing one...
Regards
Jerome

[schimg]

I had a new clutch and slave fitted by Power yesterday....loads lighter than the previous one, plus hopefully no more leaks...

I know nothing about the cars history ...Greg took out a black slave with the double seals which had been leaking...not sure of the origins of the failing unit...as there are no stampings / make on it..

They even got the exhaust level...sweet, they checked and adjusted the tracking etc, plus other stuff...might get to drive it soon!!!

[Mad Mark]

Sounds like you have or had the improved raceproved slave fitted.

http://www.clever-trevor.net/TVR/Parts_details/RP0...

it's the one I have in mine, its far lighter in weight and action than the OE part. Also the double seals help prevent damage to the slave bore if anything fails.