Clutch issue (Fiat Punto)

[XA04]

I had the clutch replaced in November on my Punto. I've done about 4000 miles since then and after asking the guy who fitted it (done on a street, on the cheap) and a bit of research.. it seems like the throw out bearing is playing up. Now when I bought the clutch kit it was pretty much all new (it was refurbished), and I know that clutches are supposed to last MUCH longer than 4k miles. So is it possible that the guy who fitted didn't fit something properly?

I've been experiencing clutch judder for quite a while, probably not long after it was fitted.


I haven't asked a garage yet.. but considering how expensive just the labour is at a garage to get the clutch out I'd rather get it done on the cheap.


Cheers!

[GoNz0]

either a bad thrust bearing or he didnt change it ?
a new one should be under a tenner

[XA04]

He showed me what the bearing looked like with a spare he had off another car and when I bought the clutch kit I don't remember it coming with one.. but maybe it did. He'll only charge me £80 labour to do it like.. maybe £60 but he should of changed it the first time round really? Is it actually possible to fit it incorrectly? I mean.. it's been working fine for 4000 odd miles! I've just been getting the funny noises recently.

[GoNz0]

tbh a refurb clutch kit should come with a new bearing anyway as they not really refurbable.

a clutch kit by nature should have the bearing unless you just brought a clutch plate, and then its not a kit ?

[XA04]

It was definetely the kit. So it must of had the bearing in it.

So what else could cause it to fail? I hear riding the clutch can, but I don't do that!

[Shad]

What exactly is the symptom? I think what you are referring to is the release bearing, which you normally replace when changing the clutch. If you get squealing noises when engaging the clutch it's usually the release bearing, but if you've just got judder when engaging the clutch to pull away that's normally oil contamination on the friction disc or a slightly warped friction disc.

[XA04]

What exactly is the symptom? I think what you are referring to is the release bearing, which you normally replace when changing the clutch. If you get squealing noises when engaging the clutch it's usually the release bearing, but if you've just got judder when engaging the clutch to pull away that's normally oil contamination on the friction disc or a slightly warped friction disc.

Well there is clutch judder, but recently I've noticed whenever I push the clutch in there is a sort of.. well it's hard to explain but it's a sort of natter sound. It's not very loud and you can't hear it in traffic but if your on a quiet street or in a car park you can hear it. I've never noticed it before so it's just a bit worrying really. The sound goes away once the clutch is engaged or the clutch pedal is released. It's just when the clutch pedal is pushed to the ground. It happens for a few seconds before going, but it happens every time.

Cheers

[filbert]

There are many things that can cause this, the 3 main parts to the clutch are the cover the plate and the bearing, but other things can affect it, the flywheel the bearing arm the spigot shaft and oil.
We gave up using refurbed clutches many many years ago, because of the amount of problems they gave and they were not much cheaper than new.
So a fault in any part of the clutch kit can give judder, also in any of the other parts I mentioned can.
I'm not saying the fitter is at fault but you've had it done on the cheap once, and it's gone wrong, and you want it done on the cheap again.
I'd say let a garage or clutch centre do the job.

[shelley]

hi im also having clutch problems with my fiat punto, it happened this morning, i got in the car and found it very hard to put into gear, even trying reverse it was making a grinding noise, eventually it got into gear but when i tryed it for a second time it wasnt having any of it, i managed to get the car home by putting it into gear then turning the ignition on.
i had to crwl all the way home in first gear, so my question is "will i need a full clutch replacement" ? and what kind of cost would i be looking at if i had it done at a garage? thanks

[GoNz0]

phone a garage and ask

[XA04]

Sounds like the same thing that happened to me (over a year ago mind). Needed a new clutch kit. It's a big job and will cost quite a bit at a garage.. luckily for me I had someone who could fit it for me on the cheap and cost about £140 in total (including the clutch kit).

[shelley]

Got the clutch problem sorted, luckily my brother knew what it was, it was the Slave Cylinder and only ended up costing me £30 for the part so was quite pleased, thanks anyways