Do I Need A New Clutch?

[Clip]

Evening everyone.

For about a thousand miles or so shifting gears in my 10 plate Aygo has been a rather clunky affair.

Today it wouldn't go into fourth which was rather embarrassing trying to merge onto the bypass revving its !Removed! off, however it did go into fifth. My Aygo has just clicked over on to 20k miles, am i right in thinking it is the clutch? and if so, is this right?

Maybe i'm asking how long a piece of string is but on average how long do they last?

Thanks.

[Cyker]

It's tricky to say; Can vary between 10k and 60k+ miles depending on what kind of driving!

My clutch has a particularly hard life due to lots of rush-hour start stop up hills :(

Certain gen Aygos did have a reputation for the clutches wearing out prematurely, although this was 'fixed' by putting in a bigger clutch

[Daddyslaphead]

It could indicate a worn clutch but equally it could simply be a bit of stretch in the cable resulting in only partial disengagement when the pedal is pressed. Get the cable adjustment checked and see if that cures the issue. If it doesn't then it is likely to be a worn clutch. I believe that from 2009 onwards Toyota fitted the larger (190mm) clutch that is used in the Yaris. This sorted out the premature clutch wear problem. Driving style does effect the life of the friction material but assuming you use the clutch correctly ie not constantly slipping it, then 20K seems a little brief.

DSH

[JB052]

It sounds clutch related, first step is to check clutch adjustment, or to be more precise clutch cable adjustment.

Apologies it looks like DSH and I were replying at the same time...JB

[Cyker]

Clutch cable? I thought clutches were all self-adjusting hydraulic these days!?

[Daddyslaphead]

Clutch cable? I thought clutches were all self-adjusting hydraulic these days!?

Nope, not by any means. The Aygo/C1/107 plus numerous other current models still use cables. Adjustment, if required, is very straightforward and your local dealer should attend to this for you. With a bit of luck it will cure the problem but if not then it could a new clutch.

DSH

[MikeSh]

Clutch cable? I thought clutches were all self-adjusting hydraulic these days!?

Hydraulic clutches were the norm 20, 30, 40 years ago and got pushed aside as cables became the norm (reliable enough).

Does anything car sized used hydraulic these days?

[Daddyslaphead]

Yeah, there are plenty of modern cars using hydraulic clutch release mechanisms. The Skoda Fabia 1.4 shares the brake master resevoir fluid with the clutch slave cylinder. That's also the case with other small VAG models.

Small cars such as the Aygo don't need hydraulic release mechanisms because the clutch pressure plate spring fingers are not that strong and can be easily enough compressed by a cable operated release bearing. Heavier cars benefit from a hydraulic system because the greater vehicle mass requires much stronger pressure plate spring fingers to ensure that the pressure & driven plates are properly clamped together to prevent slippage when moving the greater vehicle mass. The hydraulic system ensures that clutch operation is still relatively light but also ensures proper clamping of the driven and pressure plates.

There's for and against for both systems but on balance I prefer a cable operated system. There is less complication, no seals to leak, no pipe joints to weep, no fluid to have to change and no pipe work to corrode. OK, a cable can break, usually at one end, and it will require adjustment from time to time but that's about it. Cheap & easy enough to replace a cable and adjustment is also very straightforward too.

DSH

[Clip]

Ideal, thanks people.

It's been in previously for the same thing, so hopefully it'll get sorted.

The lady on the phone said it should be covered under warranty, so yay.

Booked in for Friday.

Fingers crossed it sorts the problem out.

[Cyker]

Clutch cable? I thought clutches were all self-adjusting hydraulic these days!?

Hydraulic clutches were the norm 20, 30, 40 years ago and got pushed aside as cables became the norm (reliable enough).

Does anything car sized used hydraulic these days?

Funny you should say that; I thought cables were only used on old cars and that modern cars used hydraulic!

Both cars I've owned (1.3 petrol Fiesta and my wubbly 1.4 D4D Yaris ) and almost all the cars I've driven have used hydraulic clutch releases aside from a '90s-era Escort :)

[VantaaMike]

Ideal, thanks people.

It's been in previously for the same thing, so hopefully it'll get sorted.

The lady on the phone said it should be covered under warranty, so yay.

Booked in for Friday.

Fingers crossed it sorts the problem out.

Let us know the outcome of this. Hopefully you were able to get it repaired under warranty.