4200 Clutch Replacement

[omar_little]

Hi Forum

The clutch wear reading on my 2005 4200 at my last service in October 2011, was 73%. I always drive the car in sports mode and never use automatic mode. It's probably a difficult question to answer, but does anyone have a view as to how much life would be left in the clutch since the reading. I've probably done about 3K miles since the last service.

My main concern is that I'm planning a driving holiday to Italy next month and obviously want to take Masser!! The car drives perfectly at the moment (as far as I can tell).

Are there any tell tale signs I should look out for when the clutch is on its way out? Am I being too paranoid??

As always I'd appreciate any help / guidance.

 

[Parisien]

Omar, couple of members of forum had a clutch fail on hols, best not to let it happen, the SD reading is plus or minus 20 - 30% or so....some had a 100% worn reading but got another 5k miles out of it, others like you had a 60% worn reading and it failed ( for a variety of reasons mind you) the following week!

Typically the gear fails to engage intermittenly initially or slip is noticed when pressing on.

The newer replacement clutch give way less bother and talking to one indie, hes yet to replace one due to wear over the last 4/5 years!!


P

 

[conaero]

I was one of the Unfortunates that had a clutch fail in France. It was circa a year old and had 24% wear covered sub circa 10k miles.

The pressure plate collapsed and rendered the car useless.

My advise, if the car drives, engages and does not slip then ignore the wear reading. Clutches will slip when they start to go but you can easy drive it for several 1k's miles more. The pressure plate can colApse at any stage.

Our Loz drove round on 100% wear for years and all it did was slip a little.

The wear indicator is notoriously inaccurate.

 

[Emtee]

There seem to be a couple of tell-tale signs if the clutch is on it's way out... Some have experienced it failing to find the upshift in 5th and 6th, others, including myself, had it dropping out of first back to neutral, which was accompanied by a flashing gear indicator.

 

[conaero]

Forgot to mention. If you do drive your clutch passed 100% and to the point of slippage, you will more than likely need to replace the flywheel to, it's about £250 so its no big deal.

 

[Brendan]

What is the going rate for a clutch? Rates advertised don't seem to include parts and labour.

 

[Parisien]

Depends what needs doing, both plates, spigot bearing, release bearing plus flywheel it does mount up......plus a days labour, its nearly £1.8K if so...but shop around etc


P

 

[Emtee]

The 4200 clutch is about £750, but if you want the release bearings changing as well, then that's about another £350 plus about £50 for the bell house and spigot bearings. Flywheel is about £250.

 

[Mr.Cambio]

As my clutch replacement is near for me, i can see the gearbox indicatior on sometimes (i have 70k on with the same clutch). Has anyone had any similar issue?

Engagements are all normal, apart from slipping.

 

[Parisien]

Well if only slipping...its just wear, opposed to a collapse of fingers of plate.....os either keep on driving....or a pre-emptive change.........just a question of when, not if....


P

 

[Emtee]

As my clutch replacement is near for me, i can see the gearbox indicatior on sometimes (i have 70k on with the same clutch). Has anyone had any similar issue?

Engagements are all normal, apart from slipping.

As I mentioned above, I've had it on the 4200 Nikos and it was an early sign of the clutch wearing, though to be honest when I had it swapped, when I asked for the old one back, it still had plenty of meat on it. 70K is pretty good going, so probably one to keep an eye on now.

 

[Mr.Cambio]

Sorry Miles, didn't notice about the flashing on your previous post!

Yeah, i feel it's the time now. Some slipping is here, i think i can have it for another 5k, but the car is not fun to drive anymore. I can remember how proud was Mark (toomanyhorses) about his clutch change.

 

[Maser Sod]

I don't like the idea of driving a sub-optimal Maser, so I am resolved to change my clutches out at 60% or so. Call me fussy. It's a couple of grand every three years.

 

[Mr.Cambio]

I think this is exactly what i'm going to do from now on..