average clutch wear

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Oct 4, 2004 | 08:16 PM

wantmyc5

Thread Starter

Pro

Joined: Sep 2004

Posts: 505

Likes: 5

From: Oakland NJ

average clutch wear

Hey guys-

gotten some great help from the forum so far, so I'm hoping you can help again. I found what I think is a good deal on an '01 vert for $27K - question is, car has 65K on the clock. I know it's adult driven (by a 65 year old guy), but I have concerns on clutch life. What's the average clutch life on a stock C5 clutch in your experience, if the car hasn't been beaten on? Also, average cost to replace, parts and labor?

Thanks!

Oct 4, 2004 | 09:33 PM

Richin Chicago

Safety Car

Joined: Sep 2001

Posts: 4,411

Likes: 1

From: Wilmington NC

Quote:

Originally Posted by wantmyc5

Just can give you my experience. I had a new engine installed at 47,000 miles. I had the clutch done at the same time since everything was apart. I do a huge amount of roadcourse miles but I have never dropped the clutch in an abusive manner. The clutch I replaced was barely worn, the tech said it looked like new. It would of gone for an easy 150,000 miles or more. So I guess I am saying, without abuse these clutches should go for a very long time.

Last edited by Richin Chicago; Oct 5, 2004 at 02:59 PM.

Oct 4, 2004 | 10:17 PM

robvuk

Le Mans Master

Joined: Sep 2004

Posts: 5,707

Likes: 4

From: Los Angeles

Clutches are like brakes. They work the same way. It totally depends on how you drive. Under proper use, the only time a clutch wears is while you are slipping it from a standing stop to a roll with the clutch pedal fully released.

Oct 5, 2004 | 01:40 PM

jeff1surfs

Racer

Joined: Sep 2004

Posts: 476

Likes: 2

From: Orange County Ca

So is it better to chirp the tires a little than ride the clutch out real slow?

Oct 5, 2004 | 01:46 PM

pewter99

Team Owner

Joined: Dec 1999

Posts: 174,312

Likes: 1,217

From: Here

Pilot of Beer Force 1

Tampa Regional Coordinator

CI 4-5-6-7-8 Veteran

Organizer St. Jude Fundraiser

I believe in the Beer Fairy

Mine was just replaced at 58K...although not because of wear but because I had a starter go bad and chip the flywheel..so the service writer got me a clutch too

I don't baby my car but I don't beat it either..I do drive somewhat aggresively and never race it....probably would have got 75K out of it easy

Oct 5, 2004 | 02:00 PM

VetteDrmr

Le Mans Master

Joined: Dec 2000

Posts: 9,900

Likes: 1,841

From: Hot Springs AR

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richin Chicago

... It would of gone for an easy 1000,000 miles or more. So I guess I am saying, without abuse these clutches should go for a very long time.

A MILLION MILES?????

Seriously, mine is autocrossed as much as I can, DEs a couple of times a year, just clicked off 120K miles (mine since 90K), and no problems at all.

And, as far as "slipping the clutch" vs "chirping the tires", IMO it all depends on how much power you apply to the clutch during engagement. So I don't think there'd be any measureable difference between the two techniques, except for the tires.

HTH, and have a good one,
Mike

Oct 5, 2004 | 03:04 PM

robvuk

Le Mans Master

Joined: Sep 2004

Posts: 5,707

Likes: 4

From: Los Angeles

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeff1surfs

So is it better to chirp the tires a little than ride the clutch out real slow?

Yes, I suppose chirping the tires may be a better as long as you don't apply a lot of power while the clutch is partly depressed. Cheaper to replace tires than clutches. But either way, I wouldn't worry about it. As others have stated here, the clutch will probably last a lot longer than you own the car as long as you don't acquire any of the bad clutch habits. Did you ever notice when someone is driving with their foot on the brake? Some people do the same with the clutch. Obviously, brakes and clutches won't last long doing that.

Oct 9, 2004 | 09:41 PM

jeff1surfs

Racer

Joined: Sep 2004

Posts: 476

Likes: 2

From: Orange County Ca

Yeah, my ex used to do that, ride the brake and clutch. Drove me nuts. :ack
I've started giving more gas and chirping the tires just a little.
Thanks,

Save the wave,
got three waves in one day