Thread: 2.5 years and 4 clutches. Soon will need another. My Puma

Originally Posted by djam1

I sympathize with you with your plight, others have asked if its a driver issue and you have flatly rejected the suggestion.
Don't be too hasty and check yourself we all get it wrong sometimes.

That said lets say you are right and its nothing to do with you is there an alignment issue with the Bell-housing or something?
I recall some of the poorly made Holden conversion kits for series had the same problem.
I don't doubt that Land Rover could make a mistake and 5 clutches in the time you talk of indicate something is going on.

How do I check the bellhousing alignment? Just take it to my mechanic?

I understand your frustration, I'm on my third clutch in 30000km of only light use other than one Kimberley trip on the third one. Both were "updated versions" the latter all good so far. Do you know if the dealer fitted the updated clutch to your vehicle?

Allan

I am not sure how you do it yourself but I have read Bill (Wagoo) talk about it in the past.
It should be in the realms of the skills of a good workshop to check the alignment provided they have the correct equipment.
That said there are some skilled technicians and there are muppets that twirl spanners on a daily basis so it could be a lucky dip.

Originally Posted by alittlebitconcerned

How do I check the bellhousing alignment? Just take it to my mechanic?

Originally Posted by djam1

I sympathize with you with your plight, others have asked if its a driver issue and you have flatly rejected the suggestion.
Don't be too hasty and check yourself we all get it wrong sometimes.

That said lets say you are right and its nothing to do with you is there an alignment issue with the Bell-housing or something?
I recall some of the poorly made Holden conversion kits for series had the same problem.
I don't doubt that Land Rover could make a mistake and 5 clutches in the time you talk of indicate something is going on.

Some of the Holden conversions were worse than crap,the pinion bearings used to fail and screech like murder the alignment was so far out. Pat

I wonder if it's the slave cylinder adjusted without free play?,that would effectively be like riding the clutch which would stuff the clutch quick smart. Pat

Originally Posted by PAT303

I wonder if it's the slave cylinder adjusted without free play?,that would effectively be like riding the clutch which would stuff the clutch quick smart. Pat

Thanks Pat. Anyway of 'feeling' that? Or do I take it to my mechanic?

Originally Posted by Allan

I understand your frustration, I'm on my third clutch in 30000km of only light use other than one Kimberley trip on the third one. Both were "updated versions" the latter all good so far. Do you know if the dealer fitted the updated clutch to your vehicle?

Allan

I was told I had the updated version installed but Ive been spun some stories in the past about 'upgraded' bits being put on when they havent been; so couldnt say for certain. Can I ask what year your Defender is and do you have ongoing issues with the EGR?

Originally Posted by alittlebitconcerned

I was told I had the updated version installed but Ive been spun some stories in the past about 'upgraded' bits being put on when they havent been; so couldnt say for certain. Can I ask what year your Defender is and do you have ongoing issues with the EGR?

Mine is a 2008 SVX it had one egr replaced after my trip north when the clean down cycle sounded like a rusty outside toilet door opening and closing. The first clutch replacement lasted about 5000km after waiting a month for the kit to arrive from the U.K. This one even feels a lot better than the preceding two. As far as egr's go I think the only answer is a remap that shuts the thing for keeps, I await s.h.m.b.o. permission for this.


Allan