Clutch replacement

[turbomangt]

I have not read anywhere on the forums anyone talking about cltch replacement on our 5 speeds. I didn't see anything in the manual either? is their a time period where it has to be replaced or rebuilt? Just curious,[:I] Gary

[Red GT]

Gary, I don't know if you remember my post? But, I bought my car 2 years ago April 7th. Two weeks later, sitting at a light I put it into neutral because the clutch was so darn stiff to hold in and when the light turned green I couldn't get it into gear, any gear! I kept releasing the clutch and depressing it and trying to get to go into something, anything. And finally got it to go into first and got it home and called my service guy. He had me call roadside service and had it towed and and we soon found out that I was one of the unlucky ones to get a Cruiser with a bad clutch.(clutch recall) What a horrible feeling. I'm sure clutches are supposed to last a lot longer than that. But, as far as a particular milage, not sure. We had our Tracker for 10 and a half years and I believe we did it at 80 to 90 some thousand. But, I'm sure it differs with cars and drivers. Somewhere between two weeks and 90 thousand works.

[CJJ]

Gary. I think it depends on how you drive and where you drive. Up in Wisconsin I've seen clutches last well over 150K miles. Unfortunately, out here in the Virginia suburbs of Washington, traffic is miserable and you find youself creeping along riding the clutch for miles. I've replaced clutches in my SHO's as low as 40K miles and as high as 70K. The replacement at 40K happened when I was going with rush hour traffic on a 1 hour commute but in the case of the 70K replacement my job took me away from the city against traffic with very little stop and go. I've come around the TriState during rush hour on several occassions so if you you spend much time in that traffic I think your clutch will need to be replaced at lower milage. CJJ

[turbomangt]

Next question, how do you know when a clutch is starting to go? can they be inspected easliy? Gary

[CJJ]

Both times I replaced my clutchs they began to slip. When you released the clutch the engine revved up but the car didn't want to move. In some cases it becomes difficult to shift. Of course, anything can happen. In an old Dodge I had, a piece of the starter motor broke off inside the bell housing and jammed in the pressure plate. DJJ

[Paw]

this is how I was taught to test a clutch, handbrake up, put the car in first gear and slowly release the clutch. If the rpm drop or he car lurches forward as you try to engage it than it is still good. If nothing much happen when it is half release than it is almost time to replace.

Good Luck
Paw

[Red GT]

When our Tracker needed a clutch it would "chatter" when you would release the clutch after shifting.

[RallyDRock]

ive got about 84K on my 2001 and the clutch is holding up fine, almost 20,000 miles have been with the turbo. I try to avoid hard launches and I downshift all the time but match the revs.

[Paw]

I had a Colt turbo before, the clutch lasted 9yrs and 160,000km before the pressure plate died. I still think stick last longer than auto. My wife Volvo automatic died at 120,000km with a dead tranny pump and clutch pack.

Paw

[TurbozCS2003]

Gary

Depends on conditions you drive the car. If mostly highway, you can get a lot of miles out of them.

My Shadow ES Turbo, I got 193K miles. when I pulled motor it was down to the rivets on the PP side and it definatley needed repalcement. I used a T2/T3 PP and disc when I rebuilt it. supposedly good to 250WHP and was only 150$

If you drag race the car that can also shorten the life along with a lot of city driving.

Mike