new clutch in 26k mile 2005

[bigbadbowtie]

Long story short..... wife called yesterday said car had a bad smell. I tolder her pull over , Im on my way. I get the car to the dealer......explain what I knew.

They call today..... clutch is shot.. 900 bucks.

This is a 2005 26k mile Corolla. We bought it new with 4 miles on the clock.

My wife have driven quite a few stick vehicles(2 trucks I have owned plus her 1st car) and has yet to fry and clutch.....


I'M slightly Pissed and I don't think I should be liable for a new clutch.... anyway this could be a faulty clutch disk????

[Flashmn]

Most likely its not a faulty disk, if it was a faulty disk (glazed, so that it would of slipped from the factory) it wouldnt of lasted 26k miles.

....but who pays 900bucks for a frigging clutch.

[bigbadbowtie]

I do the maintenance on the car as far as oil changes,filters, ect ect. I also drag race a 10 sec qtr mile camaro as a hobby so I know my way around cars more than the average Joe. I have NEVER even had the faint smell of the clutch being smoked.

I just find it hard to believe that in 26k miles my wife could fry a clutch. If thats the case Ill be damned if I ever by another clutched Toyota.

This is the 1st import I have ever owned.....I was hoping to get good service from it.
Im hoping that Im not about to be disappointed......

[emiliorescigno]

You're still under warranty right?

[bigbadbowtie]

yes.....I also bought a 1200 dollar extended warranty for 7year/100k miles.

Thats what has me so upset.....its a new friggin car!!!

I have calls in to a few managers at the dealership.... i don't plan on paying for it.

[freakinbox]

is that 900 with labour or just for the clutch?

[bigbadbowtie]

Thats out the door..... I know its not too bad but still does not make any sense.

Still waiting on the warranty manager to call me back.

[fistofmeat]

dude, you ould probably get the clutch replaced for alot less, i took my 90 rolla to one mechanic, they were gonna charge me 1500 to swap out the cluch, i took it to another, only cost me 400 and it works perfectly. as for the clutch blowing so soon, my clutch lasted 16 years before it blew, and it only blew because i crashed it :P if u dragged with ur corolla, that might be part of the reason it blew so quickly, but i don't know how durable the newer corolla clutches are, so it could be just chance. don't throw out toyota just yet, see what happens afer a new clutch,but if toyota wants 900 for it, then i would suggest you go somewhere else to get it swapped out.

[bigbadbowtie]

Fist..... this is my wifes ride. My 80 year old grandmother drives faster than my wife.
The car has probably seen 5000 rpm 3-4 times max in its life time. Its babied...

[Flashmn]

its not the RPM's, actually low RPM is worse than high RPM, as oil pressure is lower.
Its just that if you ride the clutch, it wears out really fast.

[bigbadbowtie]

You only need 10 lbs of oil pressure for every 1000 rpm... but thats another subject.

[diver9000]

Does she rest her foot on the clutch pedal while driving? Even just resting a foot on the pedal can cause some wear/riding of the clutch. But when you take it in to the dealership tell them you want the old clutch disk, pressure plate, and TO bearing. The local dealership here is real good about that if you ask them for it. They wont let you in the garage because they say for insurance reasons. But you wouldn't want someone standing over you while you worked either. Lots of times you can stand outside of the garage and watch to see if they are actually changing the parts or even request to see them before they install them.

[joeking]

Bigbadbowtie: Bring it back to the dealer and insist on a brand new clutch for free. The clutch should last 100,000 miles easily. I have 209,000 miles on my 03 Corolla and have had no problems with the automatic transmission. I hope my C6 05 Corvette holds up this good. Again....go to the dealer and complain. Keep us posted and good luck. Did she want the clutch instead of an automatic?

[diver9000]

Hey Guy,
I did an engine swap at 248,000 miles and my clutch was still good. You need/should to have them replace the entire clutch assembly ie...and give you the old parts once they have changed them out. If they wont let you have them and they say some ole bs about they are under warranty and must return them.... then you make sure they show you the new parts before they are installed. At a minimum they can do that.

[thespud]

It sounds to me like a Faulty disk. 29k miles is a VERY short time - Even if you do ride the clutch - So guys, i think we can rule out that theory.

Just to give you an idea: I replaced the clutch on my 95 about a year ago because it started glazing and slipping. Had done 230,000km when i swapped it, so i put a new one in and 300km later the thing exploded on me (Toyota Branded, Japanese made clutch and thought it would be good quality) because i got a dud clutch. Toyota blamed it on me - said that i had to have been doing burnouts or something for the clutch to explode into 100peices like it did.

Long story short: The clutch was babied, never ridden, and up until i got the 20v for a bit of fun, the car was never thrashed. Even since, i dont do burnouts and never dropped the clutch once. Long story short, bought a PBR kit (Aussie made - they supply the major manufacturors anyway) and it has lasted ever since with no problems. I even put that clutch in the 20v from the old engine.

So dont quit on Toyotas just yet. They are good cars, but they do occasionally have problems, as most cars do. Being in the drag racing industry, you of all people should know that you do get faulty parts occasionally, but that doesnt make the entire brand bad. That is not having a go at you either - I'm just stating what is the truth...

However - I do feel your pain....