My car is going in for a new clutch next week, after it was discovered that it was slipping at max torque.
This coincides with us going away the day after towing our small trailer tent max weight 500KG, the trip too and from the campsite will be mainly on motorways and A road with about 6 miles local roads and is a total of 130 miles.
(1) Do new clutches need to be bedded in? If so how many miles?
(2) How should I bed the clutch in?
Quote:
Garage will check DMF after removing clutch, if flywheel does not need replacing how many miles would it take to bed the clutch in then ?
Thanks
Very few to none, just drive the car normally.
I fitted a new clutch kit and DMF to my Passat before heading for an epic holiday south.
Lost a few thousand miles from it when we met a pony and trap in the Somerset lanes! Stopped on the hill and had to take off again. 4 in the car, all the luggage and the Pullman fully loaded. The clutch was stinking for the next couple of miles.
I'd say it was DEFINITELY bedded in in then!!
Seriously, no special driving is needed.
------------- I came into this world with nothing and I've still got most of it left.
I had my DMF and clutch changed last week after 108,000 miles and towed my caravan over 90 miles the very next day. The advice from the garage was not to put too much strain on the DMF at any time as this will shorten the life of it and to use all gears appropriately which includes always starting off in first gear and not second. What will most definitely shorten the life of the clutch is being stationary on a hill, biting on the clutch instead of making proper use of the handbrake which you quite often see.
Driving sensibly is the key and not abusing the clutch in any way especially from a standing start as this will also increase unnecessary wear on the DMF.
Before you fit a DMF always check if there is a solid conversion available, they are around 50% cheaper, you can get one for VW Skoda Seat and Audi, for £300 plus fitting, or a DMF for the above for £900 plus fitting the cars run better and the clutch is lighter with no ill effects
You can get on for Fords and other now, at a fraction of the cost
Skoda Bob
Solid - £300 plus fitting
DMF - £900 plus fitting
"they are around 50% cheaper", sorry, I can't work out your arithmetic!!
Anyway, £350 will buy you a complete OE DMF/Clutch kit, don't know where the £900 comes from - dealer maybe?
Solid - vibrations, gearbox problems, ultimately broken crankshafts possibly - not worth the risk
DMF - was designed for the modern engine because of the power a small diesel now generates.
Up to the OP to decide.
------------- I came into this world with nothing and I've still got most of it left.
Most of the cost of fitting a new clutch/DMF is labour as the engine has to be partially dropped out and £350 sounds about right for the parts, I wouldn't risk fitting a solid flywheel which maybe £100 cheaper
Going to an independent expert, who has quoted £600 for just clutch to be fitted and extra £300 for DMF and fitting, and uses geninue VW/Skoda parts.
Main dealers wanted circa £1400 inc VAT.
The last DMF lasted 91,000 miles under mine and the previous owner, so will proably stick with DMF as only doing 11,000 miles a year and don't think I will have the car in another 8 years times as it will then be 18 years old
I know a lot more people who have had problems with dmf then solid state, including myself with a cdti zafira! I always change back to solid state where possible.
The majority of vehicle clutches will be manufactured by a German company called LUK which are approved to EU requirements. The various car dealers have their own badge stamped on them during production and sent to a stock warehouse and because vehicle parts are no longer kept on the shelf the part has to be specifically ordered, that is why they have to provide your registration number prior to ordering so the correct part is installed.