Rav 4 Clutch Failure

[joburghawk]

Hi there

First, let me introduce myself - Jo - as a newbie to this club and forum. I visited the forum a few times before/after buying my RAV just over 2 years ago, to check the sort of problems which might occur in a 2nd hand RAV - and I was impressed by the level of practical and moral support which you guys share.

Now, on to business: I traded in my high-mileage Volvo V40 in July 2007 for an early 2003 2.0 VVTI petrol engined RAV4 GX, with about 30k on the clock. The Volvo was my last in a series of traditional ‘estate’ cars, and I fancied something different - I was considering an X-Trail / CRV / Forester / RAV, and spotted a RAV at a local Vauxhall dealer (!) who made me a good trade in offer.

The RAV didn't miss a beat for just over 2 years / 25k miles, during which it averaged just over 28mpg - not bad considering my morning/evening school run/commute, which is mostly stop/start or slow traffic rather than open roads.

Last weekend, however, the clutch failed: I was changing gear coming off a roundabout about a mile from home and the gearbox just seemed to disappear. Luckily, I was in the inside lane and was able to coast into a lay-by. There was very little resistance from the clutch pedal, and only a little bit of residual clutch grip - letting out the clutch in 1st or reverse gear made the RAV creep at less than walking pace, so I was able to limp home.

On Monday morning I limped the RAV down to my local independent Toyota specialist [whom I trust implicitly from previous work on my old Mk1 MR2 and servicing of my RAV and my mum's Aygo, which he also supplied in the first place]. He has told me that the clutch needs to be replaced and has ordered the parts.

My question for the forum is: Is this normal/acceptable for a RAV with 55k on the clock, which to my knowledge has never towed or been used vigorously off-road?

Although most of my driving is in traffic I do my best to match my gear to road speed, and never slip the clutch unnecessarily [i hate it when my wife sits in gear in stopped traffic or at the lights…in her car].

I have read the post on problems with the dual mass flywheel, although I gather that that problem is strictly for the diesel RAVs - and I haven’t spotted any posts referring to early clutch failure in petrol variants.

I’d appreciate any advice/guidance on likely cause…and prevention for the future.

Thanks in anticipation.

Jo

[HEMI]

not sure on the petrols what the average mileage is on clutch life,however you dont know how it was driven before you had it,you know,did the last owner rest his foot on the clutch when driving etc,etc,.The clutch on the petrols should be old school solid flywheels but I did change a DMF on a petrol Volvo V70 the other day and thats a first for me

[ormi]

they have solid flywheels matey.

[joburghawk]

Hi again

Thanks to those (few) of you who offered advice on my clutch failure.

I’ve just picked my repaired RAV up from the garage…in exchange for a cheque for just under £700 - that’s just over £280 for a clutch kit, with 8 hours labour @ £40 per hour…plus VAT.

I feel a bit queasy, so I think I’ll crack open bottle of single malt tonight…purely medicinal, of course.

Jo

[anchorman]

Unfortunately it is hard to predict the life of a clutch as it depends on so many factors. One that has had exceptionally low mileage could be worse than with that is used daily. Atmospheric conditions can affect corrosion of the diapragm spring and cause some of the fingers in it to break (which sounds like what might of happened with yours given the pedal was spongy but you were able to limp home).

The main thing is you are sorted now and although your whiskey is helping the pain it sounds like you got a reasonable deal TBH.

Keep in touch with us.

[HEMI]

did you have another dual mass or did you have a solid flywheel,just out of curiosity,scratch that,just remembered yours is petrol,doh,lol

[anchorman]

did you have another dual mass or did you have a solid flywheel,just out of curiosity,scratch that,just remembered yours is petrol,doh,lol

Its a petrol! - Solid.

[HEMI]

I know,I already took the p1ss out of myself,look up,lol

[salexander]

I'm sure many owners will have similar stories, but as an example my 2001 petrol Rav had done over 93k on the original clutch before I sold it last year. That included plenty of town driving and a fair amount of towing a car trailer with my sprint car on it. Neither self or wife are what you would call sedate drivers , so the car wasn't pampered and the clutch seemed strong when we sold it.