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comment_520232

How do I tell if my clutch is knackered or not? I can't see any minimum thickness figures, or anything like that, in the manual. Here are a few pictures...

209opyr.jpg

30xelqv.jpg

vhxr37.jpg

2yyrsbs.jpg

23j4oy9.jpg

 

Now I know some people will just say replace it because it's out and if it's knackered I will but if it's got another few years left of minimum annual mileage driving then I'll leave it and do it at a later date.

 

I've spent over £3,500 on it in the last 5 or 6 weeks and it's becoming very difficult to hide the invoices from my wife!! My new definition of a Lotus is a hole in the garage in which to throw money hahaha

 

Thanks, Paul.

Lotus Esprit [meaning] a 1:1 scale Airfix kit with a propensity to catch fire

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comment_520249

the clutch friction plate doesn't look too badly worn. Its hard to tell if the cover plate is any good as I'm not sure if you can easily test the clamping pressure. The flywheel may need a light skim to ensure its nice and flat.

 

I can see why you would want to keep it but if you fit it and it starts to slip, it will still cost you the same amount to buy new and then you have the pain of taking the car apart to fit it again.

 

I think I would change it

:)

It's getting there......

comment_520255

Do you know how many miles the clutch has done Paul? Any racing?

Regardless, I'd suggest you set aside decisions on expensive items for a bit due to recent spending. I felt the same after my engine rebuild and refused to do my oil pump, still works but I look at the gauge more than others.

Iain

comment_520345

The pressure plate looks horrible...it ought to be shiny rather than a nasty rusty cratered thing. Having said that, it's possible that it looks worse than it is.....and it's only a bit rusty from lack of use. How long has it all been apart? How far down are the friction plate rivets....that's the final wear limit, when the rivets reach the surface!!! I changed my clutch back in 1989/1990....and it's still fine now, some 50 to 60 thousand miles later.

 

Having said all that.....I'd fit a new one; what are credit cards for, otherwise??(!)

Scientists investigate that which already is; Engineers create that which has never been." - Albert Einstein

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comment_520382

The pressure plate looks horrible...it ought to be shiny rather than a nasty rusty cratered thing. Having said that, it's possible that it looks worse than it is.....and it's only a bit rusty from lack of use. How long has it all been apart? How far down are the friction plate rivets....that's the final wear limit, when the rivets reach the surface!!! I changed my clutch back in 1989/1990....and it's still fine now, some 50 to 60 thousand miles later.

 

Having said all that.....I'd fit a new one; what are credit cards for, otherwise??(!)

It's been sat in the loft of my garage for 7 years.

 

There's about 0.5mm to go before it hits the rivets on the friction plate but I don't know what the distance would be for a new one?

 

The clutch cover has a couple of score marks in it as well. Although they're not very deep they are noticeable...

2qvuk38.jpg

 

Of course my next question is how do I tell if the release bearing needs replacing?

 

Cheers, Paul.

Lotus Esprit [meaning] a 1:1 scale Airfix kit with a propensity to catch fire

  • Author
comment_520383

Do you know how many miles the clutch has done Paul? Any racing?

Regardless, I'd suggest you set aside decisions on expensive items for a bit due to recent spending. I felt the same after my engine rebuild and refused to do my oil pump, still works but I look at the gauge more than others.

Iain

No, no idea if it's the original clutch or not. The car shows 70,000 but that could be 170,000 who knows?

 

As for racing, no I wouldn't have thought so.

 

I think I'm going to replace the friction plate and the cover. Not sure about the release bearing...

 

Cheers, Paul.

Lotus Esprit [meaning] a 1:1 scale Airfix kit with a propensity to catch fire

comment_520423

I would do the release bearing as well. You will be very annoyed if it rattles or whines when the rest is newly fitted.

 

:happy:

It's getting there......

comment_520566

There are several types of release bearing, I believe, depending on what fingers the pressure plate has.

Scientists investigate that which already is; Engineers create that which has never been." - Albert Einstein

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