Talk to me about clutches

Bludge · Post by **Bludge** » Thu May 21, 2015 11:11 am

I think my clutch is knackered. there has been a whining sound when im idling that goes away when i push the clutch in, and the last time i went out for a freaking insane (EDIT lol at the word filter!) drive 3rd, 4th and 5th crunched a bit, im guessing cause the clutch is worn out?

So i wanted to know how difficult it would be to replace the clutch myself on axle stands?

And i also know nothing about clutches, and was thinking that if im going to do it it might be a good idea to upgrade to something that is a bit better suited to taking a beating on the drag strip every now and again.

Does anyone have any recommendations?

Post by **indigolemon** » Thu May 21, 2015 11:14 am

If it's a daily drive, the ATR clutch seems a common choice, think @NafemanNathan got a good deal on a kit recently?

People may think I'm mad, but to do a clutch I much prefer the yank the engine/box out the car - makes things much easier, and you can do the timing belt while you're at it. As a result, I have no idea how hard it is to do on axle stands - sorry

Bludge · Post by **Bludge** » Thu May 21, 2015 11:21 am

Its kind of half a daily. i use it quite often but its a second car so its for having fun in. i would rather go for something that can handle more aggressive driving then something that will be comfortable for daily use if you know what i mean?

I was reading a description of the different stages of clutch, and the only thing i wouldnt want to go for is the un-sprung(?) ones that are either engaged or disengaged. i can imagine thats not much fun trying to drive on the streets with!

Post by **NafemanNathan** » Thu May 21, 2015 11:23 am

Indeed I did...

http://www.ludegeneration.co.uk/prelude ... 15976.html

Post by **ek9sid** » Thu May 21, 2015 11:26 am

Never done a clutch on a lude on stands. The only time I did a clutch was when I had the engine and gearbox out for an engine change. I don't imagine it'll be too difficult to do it with the engine in situ...unless you're daft and don't line the clutch up properly on a 207 and break the bell housing trying to pull the gearbox in..

Post by **NafemanNathan** » Thu May 21, 2015 11:28 am

I have no idea what my clutch is. All I was told was that it's a stage 1 job. Anyway, it's coming out after the weekend and an OEM ATR clutch is going in.

I've had the car over a year now and with the "stage 1" clutch I always have to think about my clutch control when coming up to junctions etc. There's nothing relaxing about the drive, it's just too "bitey" for a daily drive.

Where as with the OEM ATR clutch I'm hoping for a much smoother easier drive, and they're supposedly still good for up to 300bhp.

Bludge · Post by **Bludge** » Thu May 21, 2015 11:31 am

that is a really good price for the atr clutch, i think thats what i will end up going for if an aggressive upgrade is going to be too costly. thanks for the link mate!

Post by **Vtecmec** » Thu May 21, 2015 11:32 am

Doing it on stands is not too bad, just remove the front crossmember first, which will give you plenty of room to drop the box out of the way, it can be done without removing the crossmember, but it's very tight and akward.

NafemanNathan wrote:I've had the car over a year now and with the "stage 1" clutch I always have to think about my clutch control when coming up to junctions etc. There's nothing relaxing about the drive, it's just too "bitey" for a daily drive.

I'd be interested in the difference, as I have a stage 1 too, but never driven an OEM setup.

Bludge · Post by **Bludge** » Thu May 21, 2015 12:08 pm

well i will have a look at the manual and hopefully i will be able to do it! do i need any special tools for the job? and are there any recommended brands of clutch to look at in relation to an upgrade?

Post by **vanzep** » Thu May 21, 2015 12:17 pm

We put an ATR clutch and flywheel in my lude about 2 years ago - cost was about £150. It IS definately a slight upgrade on the prelude one - feels totally oem but a bit more bite and it can handle a bit more power if you upgrade your cams&exhaust etc
You cant lose its OEM and cheaper than most other supposed Stage 1 upgrade clutches.
I cant recommend it enough

Did my clutch on axle stands - @3rd gen steve and @Doggo helped out but it was quite a big task - i think it took about 8 hours but we did change the flywheel and engine mounts at the same time The gearbox only weighs about 45 kilos so easy enough to drop out if your strong.