Thread: New clutch costs.

Originally Posted by Nomad9

...three clutches in a 2009 LR is a lot, something is amiss.......
...
... Do you do a lot of towing? Live on a very steep hill?

A mate used to rest his foot on the clutch while driving his 110... Worst still he would use the clutch and accelerator to hold the car on a hill at traffic lights instead of the hand brake!!! He said he had always done it with (small) cars he has owned...

No surprises the clutch didn't last long.

Originally Posted by Nomad9

Hi Patclan,
Whatever is going wrong three clutches in a 2009 LR is a lot, something is amiss....... My 2001 TD5 had its first clutch last October with 230 klms on it. Yes it has the DMF on it no springs.
When you've had to have the clutch replaced in the past have you been given any explanation as to why the clutch failed? Do you do a lot of towing? Live on a very steep hill?

Its the clutch springs, they are rattling and now a knocking noise, the first one was done under warranty, but will have received the second revision of the clutch, within 6 months the springs were gone again but the warranty was out, I have put up with the noise for 6 months and it is getting worse, I did not want to get it fixed and pay the money for another dud clutch, but I see they are now on revision 3 and seems to be ok, but I don't want to do any long trips until it is fixed so need it done.

Other than that the clutch works fine, no slipping or anything, so I don't think its my driving style.

Originally Posted by patclan

Its the clutch springs, they are rattling and now a knocking noise, the first one was done under warranty, but will have received the second revision of the clutch, within 6 months the springs were gone again but the warranty was out, I have put up with the noise for 6 months and it is getting worse, I did not want to get it fixed and pay the money for another dud clutch, but I see they are now on revision 3 and seems to be ok, but I don't want to do any long trips until it is fixed so need it done.

Other than that the clutch works fine, no slipping or anything, so I don't think its my driving style.

when the second clutch was replaced, should it not have come with a 12 month warranty???

My my09 had 4 clutches during warranty. The 2.4 engine is a rather rough engine and has a very heavy rollover at idle.. that is what causes the clutch springs to loosen off. The last clutch I had in that my09 lasted about 5000 ks before the rattle came back. But if you can ignore the rattle then it will last a long time like that. Is it worth spending thousands to chase a rattle, especially if its likely to come back.

I must say though that the 2.2 appears to be a lot smoother and does not shake like a dog at idle. I am hoping that means the clutch will last more than a few months in my new defender.

Originally Posted by uninformed

when the second clutch was replaced, should it not have come with a 12 month warranty???

You would think so but I was told no and now it is over 12 months, they said the rattle was not obvious, but once you have had the rattle you know when it comes back.

Originally Posted by BilboBoggles

My my09 had 4 clutches during warranty. The 2.4 engine is a rather rough engine and has a very heavy rollover at idle.. that is what causes the clutch springs to loosen off. The last clutch I had in that my09 lasted about 5000 ks before the rattle came back. But if you can ignore the rattle then it will last a long time like that. Is it worth spending thousands to chase a rattle, especially if its likely to come back.

I must say though that the 2.2 appears to be a lot smoother and does not shake like a dog at idle. I am hoping that means the clutch will last more than a few months in my new defender.

I agree you can ignore the rattle and people just think you have a noisy diesel, but it is the knocking I am getting now that worries me, I have read about springs breaking and falling out and causing more damage, not sure if this is true but would not want to risk it. I have also read about the new clutch being smoother and quieter and I am hoping it will be the last one for a long time, it is a risk, but I will be back at the dealer with the first noise from it to get it replaced again, I was a bit slack the this time and probably let it go, but getting the first clutch replaced under warranty was a battle and had to take it up with LR Australia.

Just following reading the Clutch thread on Defender2 and there is now a 4th version so I will be making sure I get this one.

Defender2 - View topic - Friction plates generations for Puma

Ok new clutch is in, and what a difference to the idle and noise, the engine seems to purr now, I guess it always did but the clutch noise was so loud I sounded like the engine.

The difference in pressure required to engage or disengage is immense, will take a bit of getting used to again, but and there is always a but..

Reverse, 1st and second gear are hard to engage when the engine is cold, two mornings in a row I have had issues getting into gear, once i am driving around it is easy, does anyone know if this is normal? Will it wear in or something or is it a problem with the install, I have 2x 10mm of foam insulation under the standard mats but it does not seem to be any easier if I push as hard as I can to the floor with the pedal, I can take the insulation out to check but it is not an easy job, so if it will rectify itself or if it is an install problem I would rather deal with that first, gear selection with the old clutch was very smooth so really not sure.

Any advise would be appreciated, and I can get it back to LR pronto to get fixed if required