Clutch Issues

[Snarf999]

I have an 05 Avensis 1.8 T3-X, on Monday I started to have standard symptoms of the clutch going (revs increasing without accelerating). I've only done minimal mileage since (about 30 miles). Toyota quoted £819 for replacing the clutch, but having done a Mr Clutch quote earlier (£300) I kind of laughed a bit (I know it's a non-genuine part). It's actually booked at an F1 Autocentre for the same price - I'm fully prepared that they'll probably try and tell me something else is wrong, chances are they might say the flywheel is gone too ( I assume the Avensis has a DMF). The car has only done 50000 miles which (as far as I know) is a bit short for a clutch.

Thing is, if I refuse the have the flywheel replaced and just get the clutch replaced, how long could I expect the DMF (or the new clutch for that matter) to last? Is it a similar cost to get the DMF replaced too? I'm not planning on having the Avensis for too much longer so don't really what to part with a huge amount of money, but on the flipside, I don't want to drive half a mile down the road and destroy the new clutch.

The car is booked in for tomorrow so I'm interested in brief views!

[mickeybo]

I havent seen many dmf problems with avensis, there far superior to the VW one's. Im guessing it'll be fine to just change the clutch, pressure plate and bearing and go motoring

[Konrad C]

Your car is a 1.8 petrol and I am guessing it does not have a dmf. The garage you chose should not try to rip you off, because the fly wheel is a lot of work. Plus they should call you and show you the parts, to get permission before any extra work.

Since you said the clutch is starting to slip, the flywheel will be fine. Some people drive on until the car cannot move at all. That is likely to damage the flywheel.

I think the milage is not too bad. Clutch wear depends on the driver and usage. I recently was waiting at traffic lights on an incline and the 2 cars next to me were holding station on biting point for a couple of minutes! Also riding the clutch can cause premature wear too, plus lots of parking adjustments.

If car is secondhand, you may not know how the previous owner/s drove the car.

£300 is a fair price.

Konrad

[acetip]

I havent seen many dmf problems with avensis, there far superior to the VW one's. Im guessing it'll be fine to just change the clutch, pressure plate and bearing and go motoring

I think you will find that the DMFs are the same. its a LUK patent.

[mickeybo]

Cant say i noticed that they were the same to be honest lad, How come they seem to give more bother in the VWs??

[Whitewagon]

Not 100% certain but I didn't think the average petrol engined car had a DMF. They were primarily used in diesel engines to overcome problems with pulling away due their high torque at low revs. However I believe they have been fitted to some of the petrol cars with the DSG style gearboxes too.

[acetip]

Cant say i noticed that they were the same to be honest lad, How come they seem to give more bother in the VWs??

Read sometime ago a a clutch repair specialist claiming they replaced more DMFs on Toyota than any other cars.

So make out of that what you will.