Clutch went after 25,000 miles

another36 · 04-07-2022 12:48pm #1

I had a new clutch put in March 2019 the garage at time convinced me to go for the gold standard one so it cost 1,900.

It went again last week. Due to covid my car did way less miles than it normally did over 2020/2021. so the clutch only lasted approx. 25,000 miles.

It must be my driving style. Any tips on what I could be doing to wear it out so quickly?

Gant21 · 04-07-2022 12:50pm

A gold standard clutch that’s a sales talk right there.

asdfg87 · 04-07-2022 12:52pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058253005/clutch-went-after-25-000-miles

Best is buy automatic if you can, you need to put your foot on-side of clutce except when changing, likely hard habit to break.

another36 · 04-07-2022 12:54pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119288793#Comment_119288793

exactly nonsense. He said if I didnt put in the best brand it wouldnt last. 1200 this time and 1900 the last time crazy difference.

another36 · 04-07-2022 12:57pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119288807#Comment_119288807

Good advice! I want to go for a hybrid with my next car (hopefully the end of this year) and I noticed a lot are automatic anyway.

Im driving 20 years and this is my 5th clutch replacement but never as quick as this and never twice in one car ownership.

colm_mcm · 04-07-2022 1:06pm

What car is it?

Miscreant · 04-07-2022 1:10pm

5th clutch replacement in 20 years? Definitely time for an automatic but I would imagine the clutch that only lasted the 25k Kms was faulty in some way. The warranty would be up on it at this stage though as I think they are only warrantied for a year. At €1200 to replace, the car must have a DMF or something and they are usually harder wearing (in my limited experience).

DBK1 · 04-07-2022 1:17pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119288927#Comment_119288927

The wrong driver could burn out a clutch in 20 kms and for that reason there’s generally no warranty given on clutch’s.

OP you should definitely be looking at automatic. Your driving style certainly is at fault with that rate of clutch changes. There’d be people driving 30-40 years without ever changing a clutch.

Are you resting your foot, possibly unknown to yourself, on the clutch pedal when driving? Or do you be pulling trailers often?

colm_mcm · 04-07-2022 1:35pm

shouldnt need a DMF this time.

another36 · 04-07-2022 1:43pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119288896#Comment_119288896

Opel astra.

another36 · 04-07-2022 1:55pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119288973#Comment_119288973

I do coast a good bit now that I think about it. I would be someone that will stop at lights with foot on the clutch.

Apart from my driving the clutch also gave some issues over the past two years and I really should have really gone back to the garage that installed it with the first issue (after only 8 months I had an issue getting into gear) but the garage that installed it weren't local to me they were beside my office which I had changed from.

Anyway I think its time to go automatic!!! We had started to plan and look at changing the car this year as its a 141 and I drive a good bit for work now that we are back to that, so need something newer and more reliable.

Casati · 04-07-2022 2:07pm

I think other posters saying move to automatic are jumping to conclusions - in this situation I’d say the fault might lay with the mechanic that charged you 1900 quid for a ‘gold standard’ clutch for an Astra as that price is robbery and it may not have been lined up properly or potentially another fault like dodgy engine mounts went un-noticed.

1.6 CDTI Astra’s had a recall for master cylinders in the U.K. - maybe check if that was done? Bring it to another garage is my advise

bazz26 · 04-07-2022 2:07pm

If your changing cars then it sounds like an automatic would suit you better than another manual. 5th clutch replacement in 20 years would certainly be above average.

Casati · 04-07-2022 2:17pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119289293#Comment_119289293

Nonsense. The OP could have needed a clutch replacement on secondhand cars he bought previously or one with 500,000 miles+ on it. He hasn’t given any details so you can’t presume 5 clutch’s in 20 years is down to driving style

mikeecho · 04-07-2022 2:22pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119288838#Comment_119288838

I'm driving over 25yrs, and I've never had to have a clutch changed, and I don't drive new cars.

I've had cars with over 100k miles, on the original clutch.

I've a 2008 Toyota sitting in the drive, that I've had for the past 10 or 12 yrs, and that's still on its original clutch as well.

I think you need to get a driving lesson. Let someone actually see what your feet are doing, and let them tell you how to correct the issue.

The price of a few lessons will be a lot cheaper than a clutch every 25k

bazz26 · 04-07-2022 2:36pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119289331#Comment_119289331

I would disagree on that. What's the chances every car the OP owned had a worn clutch? I've owned many manual cars in the past, all bought second hand and only one needed a new clutch and that was because of a gearbox oil leak. The current one only lasted 25k miles and OP mentions coasting as well as riding the clutch at lights. There is a pattern there and I think it's as good a theory as any.

Also the OP mentioned they were thinking of changing cars and my recommendation was to go auto if they were.

another36 · 04-07-2022 2:48pm

It was pointed out to me in my lessons that I was a coaster but corrected it to pass my test (19 years ago!) no intention of having lessons again.

But I also suspect that the clutch wasn't fitted correctly - when I look back I got a call from the garage a month after it was fitted to check was all ok with it - I found that odd at the time, but had a sick relative and just wanted him off the phone.

Too much time has passed but I have learnt a lesson.

I am going to really consider an automatic as we are going to go for a new hybrid this time.

Thanks for all the input

Casati · 04-07-2022 4:46pm

Coasting and riding the clutch at lights will cause wear but that doesn’t mean a clutch failing at 25,000 is down to driver error.

The OP has provided more colour with issues seen early on after the replacement and that suspicious call from the garage which along with the 1900 quid cost makes me think the garage messed up first time. Astra’s are known to have issues that many models were recalled for too

The OP hasn’t said how many cars he has owned, if they were new or bangers, or the age or the mileage he had any previous clutch replacements at.

Hellrazer · 04-07-2022 11:29pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119290009#Comment_119290009

Mechanic is probably fitting a non genuine slave cylinder - Ive seen clutches go on Astras with 5-10k on them due to slave cylinder failures afte a clutch replacement. The recall was to replace the entire hydraulic system - clutch, slave cyl, master cyl, all the hydraulic pipes , abs control unit, brake master cylinder - If the car is wearing out clutches that quickly Id be calling the nearest Opel delaer and seeing if the recall was done on it. If it was done then Id be fitting a genuine slave cylinder and master cylinder at the very least.

All depends on the year - It was Astra k 2016 - 2020 1.6 Diesels that were affected but the slave in the petrols is notorious for failing.

mikeecho · 04-07-2022 11:53pm

The OP is horsing through clutches, either he's very unlucky, or needs to adjust his driving techniques.

I'm for the latter.

It's like someone saying that brick walls keep hitting their car, they might live in a windy region with poorly built walls. Or.. they might be a shut driver who keeps crashing into walls.

There's an argument for both sides.

Clutch went after 25,000 miles

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