GS - Clutch Replacement - what sort of miles have people got from them?

[Woody]

Hi all,

I know this subject has been done to death but I’m keen to post this as I’ve just had my clutch replaced by McGrath Maserati - the work, as ever for me, being carried out by the wizard that is Paul Molyneux.

Paul had mentioned to me that I’d need to get the clutch done as some point as it was on it’s way out. When I had the car inspected by Paul nearly 8 years ago, it was some thing like 50% worn, at a whisker under 30,000. After nearly 44,000 miles of further service, I took the plunge.

The clutch didn’t let go or it wasn’t dropping out of gear, it just felt a little clunky. I couldn’t ever find any evidence of the clutch having been replaced before - the chap I bought from hadn’t had it done and Maranello and Meridien (original owners services) had no record either.

So....to the crux of the post. I reckon my original clutch had done nearly 74k. Part of me wanted to keep on running it until it let go but surely, given you hear horror stories, that has to be some kind of record?

Paul pointed out some markings on the old clutch that suggested it was factory fit, but couldn’t be 100%. Either way, I’m claiming it.....is that a record for one clutch in an F1 box?

What other sorts of miles have you all got?

Cheers
Woody

 

[2b1ask1]

My 4200 clutch got to 63 k Woody, it had the spigot owl hoot the entire time I had it but that didn’t cause it any problems. Good on you for getting that life out of yours. Hope you are keeping well.

 

[Navcorr]

....is that a record for one clutch in an F1 box?

Know of a chap in the States whose Coupe CC is on 170K miles - his first clutch lasted a mere 131K.

 

[Woody]

My 4200 clutch got to 63 k Woody, it had the spigot owl hoot the entire time I had it but that didn’t cause it any problems. Good on you for getting that life out of yours. Hope you are keeping well.

Hi Newton,

All good here. You?

That's good to read....I wasn't expecting to hear many examples in the 50k plus region.

Cheers
Woody

 

[Woody]

Know of a chap in the States whose Coupe CC is on 170K miles - his first clutch lasted a mere 131K.

That's astonishing. Ill get back in my box haha

Must be motorway miles, surely? Encouraging to read though.

 

[2b1ask1]

Yes all good for the most part Woody. A lot of the miles I put on mine were city, living near London an Dartford Crossing it suffered a lot of traffic. I’d imagine our friend State side was very rural.

 

[Navcorr]

That's astonishing. Ill get back in my box haha. Not at all - hope my post didn't come across like that

Must be motorway miles, surely? Encouraging to read though.

He lives in Erie, PA. Don't know about local driving conditions but the weather has to be an issue. As you say though - very encouraging.

 

[Wanderer]

My QP has 107k on the clock, full service history cam with it, from Charles Hurst, and there’s only one clutch change in there, just before I bought it, changed at 98k. Could have been done elsewhere but I think the only people in Ireland (island of) with an SD3 are Hursts. Car lived in Waterford.

 

[Woody]

98k on one clutch is superb. I seem to recall horror stories of single digit thousands of miles. Good to see decent miles are not exceptional!

 

[samueluper]

My clutch is 85.000 kms old, and i have it with just a 40% worn so i'm very proud of it!

In my local dealer there is a QP with 400.000 kms and only 2 clutches changed.

 

[conaero]

must be the colder wet and salty climate that rots the spring tangs I expect then.

 

[midlifecrisis]

I've got 150k out of a clutch on my old SEAT Ibiza which I had from new. However, on the Maserati far I've had 32k out of a clutch and its still got 47% of wear left. I changed the Spigot bearing as well as the time, the next one will be the flywheel too.

 

[Navcorr]

must be the colder wet and salty climate that rots the spring tangs I expect then.

Although seemingly locigal it doesn't account for the chap in Erie. Maybe his is a Summer car, don't know, but the weather around the Great Lakes during Winter is something else.

 

[D Walker]

On the flip, who has had the least, my 4200 was thought to be on 2nd clutch, no history to show changed and had a wear reading of 37% at 32k miles, did another 2k before it gave up the ghost, so, either it was still on first clutch and the wear indication reader is as accurate as Phil Neville in front of goal, or it had 2 clutches and my car ate them or they were made of swiss cheese......

 

[jasst]

According to the service history, mine lasted till 68000

 

[jamiebee]

Mine had two clutches in its first 40k miles (mostly with previous owners). The third clutch is currently reading 30% worn after 18k miles. These are not motorway miles either, I drive mostly London traffic or B-roads.

I'm not sure why the clutch life seems to vary so much?

 

[MAF260]

I got 17.5k miles out of my last clutch before the tangs gave way again (on track). Current clutch is 9% worn with 4k miles under its belt. My PIS is set aggressively (no sniggering at the back!) and I give the car a **** good beasting every time it gets driven!

 

[Woody]

I’ll have to read up on the PiS.

The clutch is noticeably better at slow speeeds and smoother at changes under mild acceleration... but also feels lazier at engaging, particularly chopping from 1-2-1. I know the pis point was aggressive on the old one so maybe I need to get that adjusted at the next service.

I thought it might have been quieter too as the old clutch sounded quite mechanical.....but that’s the same.

Interesting that there is decent mileage expected now, so hopefully I won’t be doing another clutch any time soon!

 

[Wanderer]

Basically if you let it slip it will wear much faster. I tend to pull both paddles when I know I have to stop, drive in sports manual, and paddle up a high revs, not mental say, 3500 3750.

I’ll have to read up on the PiS.

The clutch is noticeably better at slow speeeds and smoother at changes under mild acceleration... but also feels lazier at engaging, particularly chopping from 1-2-1. I know the pis point was aggressive on the old one so maybe I need to get that adjusted at the next service.

I thought it might have been quieter too as the old clutch sounded quite mechanical.....but that’s the same.

Interesting that there is decent mileage expected now, so hopefully I won’t be doing another clutch any time soon!

 

[Wanderer]

Ugh, new forum made mess my quoting up, I’ll fix it tmrw...