How long did your clutchs last?

[95SC2]

My car has about 112,000 miles on it
and lately i have been noticeing that the clutch doesn't really grab like it used to
i was wondering when yours went

[N2orocks]

If it has started to feel a little mushy and you live anywhere where summers are warm and you have over 100k on it, I'd replace it with the ACT clutch. The pedal pressure is much better than the Clutch masters and Centerforce and stock. They do something with the diaphram that the others don't. How much is the ACT clutch Adam? jobber.

[willy_g]

I've got a 95 SL2 with 128K on it and I just had my clutch replaced back in December. Sure was nice to get the new one- a lot less foot travel! If you're going to the floor, I'd start saving some cash.

[eRic 02sc2]

the oe clutch on my old 92 sc lasted 103,000 miles of (ab)use. too many 4000 rpm launches at the drag strip broke the tips off the fingers on the pressure plate. on my now 96 sc2 the oe clutch is going strong at 111,000 miles. i've calmed down and only launch it at 2400 rpm (where 90% of the torque is available).

[SCDYNE]

ACT will announce the prices next weekend at IAS. (International Auto Salon)
They don't do group discounts, and have a heavy buy in and big monthly requirement so it's not likely we'll see any discount prices on them for a long time. They realize this and will set a retail price on par with the market.

The process ACT uses, from 2 years of R & D, is more than just modifying a stock unit. They started over from scratch and had to redesign and manufacture most of the components in house just to make a unit that offered more than a 50% improvement over stock (first design) and not increase the thrust load.
Keeping the thrust load down on an engine with over 100,000 miles is VERY important. It's been found that a few Saturn's have been forced to rebuild the bottom end from crank walk after only having a competitor’s product in for a few weeks. (Ask Wes at SM about this {I think he had to eat one}) The reason this happens is because the increase in thrust load from a bad design places excessive stress on an already warn thrust bearing and over a short time the crank play becomes excessive.

N2orocks I wish you would have driven my car around the pits or something so you could have felt how it engaged. Oh well people will get them real soon and start talking about how they had to replace the upper motor mount a week later.... heheh

[FreeJack]

Strangely enough my last clutch only lasted a little under 36,000 miles. It was a 98 Saturn SC2. I hope the clutch on this Saturn lasts a lot longer?

I'm wondering if the last clutch only lasted 36k because of a defect or if I'm not using my clutch properly.
If I'm not using my clutch properly any tips on how to properly drive a clutch?

[Jeff P]

My '92 SC is on it's original clutch, 146,000 miles.

jeff

[Harry]

Originally posted by FreeJack
If I'm not using my clutch properly any tips on how to properly drive a clutch?

Don't ride it, that's the main thing. When you aren't shifting, put your left foot on the rest against the firewall, don't rest it on the clutch pedal.

When engine braking, use the engine to brake, not the clutch. You don't want to dump momentum into the clutch either in hard starts or stops. Raise the engine to an RPM close to that desired and then let it out for engine braking so you don't have to sit on the clutch too long.

[Qlara]

Clutch 130+k is still original here, no sign of quit yet. :yes:

Mushy feeling maybe from the Clutch cylinders (Hydraulic unit). Try a "Stall Engine with Clutch" quick test to gauge the effectiveness of the disc first.....

[XtremeGrandAm]

We replaced the clutch on my 92 SL-1 at 160K. and that was because I was being stupid when I first started driving. My 92 SL2 still has the factory clutch it has almost 250K.

[wario]

I have a 93 SL2 withabout 104K and i think that it's the origional clutch, i'm not sure, there was a previous owner before me. when i am in a parking going about 9 or 10 mph and my foot is off the clutch while in first and when i want to slow down without putting it in neutral,i put my foot all the way too the floor and the rpm drop from about 2000 rpm, it dips down to about 400 rpm and then it kicks back up at about 700 rpm. when it dips down to about 400 rpm, then it bogs. i think its the clutch. if you think im wrong or think it's something else, please tell me. thank you.
-Josh:D

[Lenz98SC2]

FreeJack thats kind of ironic about your 98sc2.

I bought the car last may and took it back after a month or 2.
The clutch was chattering when starting from a stop or going into second gear. I spoke with the service manager and he took it for a drive. He said that he did not feel anything and to bring it in when it was doing it all the time.

Approx 2-3 months later I couldnt stand to drive it while acting up like this. I took it in and the assistant came out and rode with me around the lot. I was able to show him what I was talking about and he immediately asked to keep the car.

All this time I was doing research and getting help from great people on this forum. I came to the conclusion that the rear main or quill seal was slobbering and oil was getting on the clutch.

I received a call the next afternoon that they had set me up with a rental vehicle. I asked what they had found and the said that the rear main was dumping on the clutch. I picked up my rental car and proceeded home.

The next afternoon I got a call that my car would be ready for pickup early that evening. I found that they had replaced the rear main, crankshaft, main bearings, rod bearings and piston rings due to a broken thrust bearing.

It has now been 3 months or more since the service and it is starting to chatter again. It makes it look like I dont know how to drive. I dont beat this car so what is going on? 80% of my miles are on the highway.

I am so leary of jumping on it and breaking something. I want rip on it every now and then but dont due to fouling something up and having the dealer say it was caused by abuse.

Sorry for the long post and thank god I paid 800 bucks for the aftermarket warranty!! The repairs totaled $2200. If anyone knows why this would keep happening please let me know.

Thank you,

Len

[JT94SL]

I have a 94 SL with 221,000 miles on it, replaced the clutch at 200,000 exactly when I blew the transmission. Figured while it was out, may as well replace the clutch. Original looked like it had another 50,000+ miles worth of life left in it though.

[Dr. Bob]

Len, I'd get yours back in the shop and see what they can do for you. You shouldn't be having more problems if they fixed it right (duh).

My Saturn retailer warrants repairs for 3 years.

[Lenz98SC2]

Dr. Bob,

This weekend I noticed slight troubles getting it into first gear at a stop. I checked the tranny fluid and sure enough it was a half quart low. I filled it of course but I wonder where the other fluid went.... maybe out the quil seal and on the clutch? I dont know what im gonna do after my aftermarket warranty is up. I love this car but im not gonna keep it if I have to constantly throw money into clutches. I wish they would extend my darn warranty for another 3 years...

This time its going to Saturn of Lancaster for repairs since I know one of the mechanics down there and he asked me to bring it to him if I have any problems.

L

[Qlara]

Lenz, the ATF fluid in the manual tranny can also seep through the drive shaft bearing seals gradually. Better keep constant checking on the fluid level to confirm if there's tranny leak. :o:

[Terrandus]

for 2200$ (assuming american) that's almost enough to BUY a brand new saturn engine....

[Lenz98SC2]

Thanks qlara I will definately keep an eye on it. Its just upsetting that after a full 2200 was spent the problem is coming back. Do you think there is any chance in them replacing the whole block..that is if the rear main is leaking again? Or getting my warranty extended?

Terrandus for 2200 american I wish they would have just replaced the darn engine...;)

L

[Terrandus]

I was quoted $2500 for a BRAND new 1.9 liter DOHC that would fit in my 1996. You have pay labor on that, not sure what the rate is anymore, but the guy said he could do the complete swap in nine hours, although its my understanding that he's faster than most on a engine swap...