TECH QUESTION - CLUTCH ASSEMBLY

[soonercruiser]

Well, in soonercruiser's case, the life expectancy of the clutch was 26,400 miles!
Seems low to me!!! But, I do trust my dealer. Last week's warranty fix didn't work (clutch actuator). So today I had the clutch assembly, and release bearing replaced. ....$420 in parts...$480 in labor = Total $950!!
That's soonercruiser's first significant problem. But, the good news is...it's as good as new now!

The clutch is sold as a complete "assembly". So, we couldn't see inside, if there was a part failure, or the clutch plate itself was worn badly.
You techies out there does this sound correct - the service manager said that the replacement was different - redesigned????

[CREWZIN]

Sorry Frank, nobody seems to know an answer toyour question. I Googled the Internet on "redesigned PT Cruiser clutch" and came up empty.

[slartyblarfast]

Yes the clutch is an assembly and there is a later and greater part. The original clutches rattled. The new ones aren't supposed to. As for disassembly... probably not possible and not recommended. Typically I don't see much problems with the clutches. I know the first batch of GT's had some clutch issues. The clutch assembly bolts to a flex plate on the engine like a automatic torque convertor. Clutch, pressure plat and flywheel are all part of the assembly. Hope that helps some.

[soonercruiser]

Thank SLARTY!
That's what I was looking for....a confirmation of what the service manager told me..that the whole assembly is replaced as a unit. I could swear that there were some previous posts about replacing the clutch. But, that must have been some "shade-tree" mechanic.