Is There A Long Lasting Clutch?

[N777CK T]

My clutch was slipping so a year ago I got an Exedy organic fitted. The difference was amazing but now (a year later) I have worn it right down and I\'m looking for one that lasts a lot longer!? I think i\'ve only done under 10k miles on the exedy which is a lot less than I expected it to last?

Any suggestions appreciated!
Nick.

[SiH]

Exedy Organic should last a lot longer than that!!
Something\'s gotta be wrong, but I don\'t know what!

[gsb876]

is that 10k of hard driving though ??

[Prof]

The Exedy Organic clutch should last a lot longer than 10K - unless your launching hard off lights ALL the time and slipping the clutch a lot (to the point of smoking it).
 
Also if you\'re running a lot more than stock power it might be wise to think about a tougher clutch.  The Organic one is fine for general street driving - but you may want to go with a sprung multipuck or a double plate clutch - it will be a little less friendly but will last longer.
 
I\'d also get the flywheel checked when you replace it - they can get cracks etc, on the surface and it may need either skimming or replacing.

[karl_tate]

could some one explain the difference between sprung and unspung clutches, im also looking into clutches at the minute.

[clive]

My clutch was slipping so a year ago I got an Exedy organic fitted. The difference was amazing but now (a year later) I have worn it right down and I\'m looking for one that lasts a lot longer!? I think i\'ve only done under 10k miles on the exedy which is a lot less than I expected it to last?

Any suggestions appreciated!
Nick.

Hi Nick,

I recently sold a 2 liter Mondeo estate that I had known from new after a friend of mine owned it who towed around a big heavy trailer with iron castings for his business,

I ran it for a year then sold it to somebody I know with 215 thousand miles on it with the original engine gearbox AND  standard clutch still fitted from new and the new owner is still useing it 6 monthes on with no problems,

I have seen many people wear clutches out not through thrashing cars or "drag starts", but simply these things below

1. Using too higher revs when holding vehicles on hills,

2. Failing to take their foot fully off the pedal

3. A real favorite I have found is that people simply rest their foot on the pedal while driving normally not realising they are realising this partially releases the clutch and gives rapid wear to the clutch center plate,

Or it could be that you have a rear main  oil seal leaking slightly or a sticking master cylinder however you would have noticed a strange pedal,

Or if you have modifications that have increased power then it could be that you simply need a better clutch with much more clamping capability

Here is a trouble shooting guide that you can look at that may also help

http://www.exedy.co.uk/index.php?main_page=troubleshooting_guide

[clive]

could some one explain the difference between sprung and unspung clutches, im also looking into clutches at the minute.

This refers to the clutch center plate only below are two picture, one showing a sprung hub and the other a solid unspring hub,

The springs on the hub are fitted to try and take the initial shock away when the center plate "grabs" the pressure plate and flywheel faces to try and ensure smooth "judder" free take offs,

Over recent years people like Ford, Toyota VW etc have tried to take this one stage further with the introduction of what they call a Duel Mass Flywheel which is a two piece flywheel that like the sprung hub on the center plate is designed to move slightly on take off to give a smooth pull away


Hope this helps

[SiH]

An unsprung clutch is very hard on the drivetrain - not recommended for al but the most hardcore of cars tbh.

Bizarrely, a paddle clutch will wear out very quickly if not used hard - they need to be used in a very digital fashion - slipping them shortens their life drastically.

For the best driveability you want a multi plate clutch, but they\'re not cheap

[karl_tate]

thanks for that clive, all is understood now lol

[Bobbit]

i always wondered what the springs were for, now I know! Thanks Clive

[RedRummy]

I have an Exedy Organic single plate clutch too, fitted about a year ago, and whilst it still seems to be in perfect working order I\'m always a bit worried about it...

I don\'t rev too high on hill starts or any of the other things clive mentioned, but even after the slightest hill start I can smell the clutch as if its burning... (no smoke though LOL)

Is it normal to be able to smell the clutch under \'normal\' driving conditions with hill starts ?

[Prof]

That smell usually means you\'ve slipped it a bit and everytime that will be a little more material gone.  Best not to sit in gear on a hill anyways - handbrake and then just use the clutch for the off.

[RedRummy]

That smell usually means you\'ve slipped it a bit and everytime that will be a little more material gone.  Best not to sit in gear on a hill anyways - handbrake and then just use the clutch for the off.

that\'s kind fo what I do... there\'s no way I can pull away using less clutch  :confused:

[N777CK T]

well i think i drive pretty normally as its a daily driver. its stock power too?
I don\'t slip the clutch a lot, most wear i imagine would be 4th to 2nd change downs?

As you might be able to tell I was shocked when I saw the state of the clutch after so little mileage as I haven\'t treated it badly!

[clive]

well i think i drive pretty normally as its a daily driver. its stock power too?
I don\'t slip the clutch a lot, most wear i imagine would be 4th to 2nd change downs?

As you might be able to tell I was shocked when I saw the state of the clutch after so little mileage as I haven\'t treated it badly!

2nd to 4th change downs will actualy be quite brutal and inflict undue stress to the clutch and through to drive train in general and would worry me personaly if it were my car    http://plugin.smileycentral.com/http%253A%252F%252Fwww.smileycentral.com%252F%253Fpartner%253DZSzeb008%255FZNxmk696YYGB%2526i%253D36%252F36%255F1%255F7%2526feat%253Dprof/page.html" target="_blank">http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/36/36_1_7.gif" alt="SmileyCentral.com" border="0">http://plugin.smileycentral.com/http%253A%252F%252Fimgfarm%252Ecom%252Fimages%252Fnocache%252Ftr%252Ffw%252Fsmiley%252Fsocial%252Egif%253Fi%253D36%252F36_1_7/image.gif">