What Happened To My Clutch ?

[cqae]

sgazzy, I run a small mechanical/auto elec shop so I can offer my opinion from both repairer & owner's point of view.

firstly on how a clutch works is pretty simple. you basically have a clutch kit which contains clutch plate, pressure plate, spigot bearing-sold separately through dealers & in kit form aftermarker usually.

clutch plate has the friction material & is basically 2 discs stuck together over a spring arangement & rivvetted together-this is the wearing component of a clutch

pressure plate-is the clamping device that presses the clutch plate against the flyhweel to tranfer power from engine to gearbox & contains the 'finger' you talked about.

spigot bearing is attached to clutch fork whcih presses pressure plate fingers to release clutch

when clutch is in it relaxed position(pedal up) the pressure plate clamps everything tight which transfer torgue to gear box, pressing pedal presses on pressure plate's fingers which release clamping on pressure plate & allows everything to slip. so half pressing a pedal allows a certain degree of slip. sorta like if you press to coins together, the harder you press the less they will slip.

the cluthc plate is a wearing items-I would say if it was worn & causing slipage, this would be normal wear & tear, but this does not sound like your fault. If the fingers on the pressure plate collapse or lose tension, when you press the pedal there is less resistance & this is why you get that spongey feel. I would say if this occured before the plate wore out it is just a failure & should be covered by warranty. No matter how hard or slow you drive, pressure plate faulire is not you fault as far as I know. the diaphram that fails in the pressure plate & causes the fingers to lose tension should outlast the pressure plate, so I think you have a good.

The only probalem is clutches are not always covered as they are deemed wearing items, but as I said clutch plate is wearing item, pressure plate is not.

best of luck, I hope this helps

[cqae]

and anopther thing, since it should be covered by warranty, you should not have to pay for the inspection, cos if the clutch didnt fail you wouldnt need them right! and as far as flywheel machine, did you ever get a pedal pulsation from the clutch when applying or releasing? this is why you machine flywheel. hot spots are gonna develop no matter what, they can be made worse by a slipping/ failing clutch I dont think I would be paying for that either...........anyways good luck, am glad I bought an auto!

[Paradoxx]

Sometimes it could be in the wording of the warranty though... does it specify "clutch plate" or just "clutch" as not being covered?

Worth a look

[markxr6t]

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/FORD-BA-XR6-TURBO-1...1QQcmdZViewItem

Anyone got one of these?

Edited 08/03/06 01:57 AM by markxr6t

[markxr6t]

Sorry - can't get the link to work. Just type "xr6 turbo clutch" in an ebay search and you'll see what I mean.

[phantomchic]

Update!

spoke to the principal and the mechanic directly.

first concern to eliminate is "burnouts", I can't and don't do them, the pattern of wear on the tyres was questioned. The backs are from the front and have done 32k. I live in roundabout city and don't deny I like roundabouts.

so... essentially there are no broken or damaged bits. Just the hot spots on the flywheel. The lines and all associated have been cleaned out and tested etc.

my cause for query was the decrease of pressure in the pedal, no other problems with gear changes or engine revs etc.

I am going ahead with their recommendation of machining the flywheel and pay the $250.00. I now have it documented and a case number from HQ, so should anything further go wrong I have this situation to refer back to and all and sundry are aware.

Will test drive it locally before heading home and if concerned will get them to have a drive while I am present.

shaz

[phantomchic]

On a sooky note

Its times like these that make this forum and its members so special.

all the advice and support I have got from you guys has been overwhelming and very much appreciated. and I have learnt heaps

No wonder Fordxr6turbo.com is home within a home .

thanks lots and hundreds

shazzy

[tab]

Just "smoke em up" in front of the dealership to test the clutch Shazz

[sutty]

Update!

I am going ahead with their recommendation of machining the flywheel and pay the $250.00.  I now have it documented and a case number from HQ, so should anything further go wrong I have this situation to refer back to and all and sundry are aware.

Be buggered if I'd give them a cent. It's a warranty issue - plain and simple.

Put your foot down!

[GOLDIE]

On a sooky note 

Its times like these that make this forum and its members so special.

all the advice and support I have got from you guys has been overwhelming and very much appreciated.  and I have learnt heaps 

No wonder Fordxr6turbo.com is home within a home  .

thanks lots and hundreds

shazzy

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

that's not a probelm shazzy even though some times it may seem like the world is against us this site and it's members always help some way.

Ian