Clutch replacement / who has used what ?

[clemo]

Hi all ,

Engine out so seems a logical time to put a new clutch in ... (96 N S2)

Any best buys ?
From who ?

saw this one ... anyone have any thoughts ?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LOTUS-ELAN-1- ... I_lEDb2xNg

Thank you

[dapinky]

Exedy are a good make, and I believe that there was a bit of a 'group buy' on some of their clutches many years ago (before I was on the forum).

That said, I am sure that there are different 'qualities' within their range, and I don't know where this one fits.

The price seems high to me (but maybe because I paid $33 for mine last year as a 'closeout' from Rock Autos on a Valeo unit.

I wish to draw your attention to RA website though - they are listing clutches for the Impulse Turbo, BUT they are wrong for the Elan, so don't just buy blindly from them.

The Turbo Elan uses an 8 7/8" driven plate, whilst the NA uses a 7 7/8" plate. Both have the same fittments to the flywheel and gearbox splines, but (obviously) one is much bigger surface area.... I don't know if the Impulse Turbo had the larger or smaller one, but they list the smaller on their site for all Isuzu engines.

FYI, the Valeo part numbers (for the 3-part complete kit) are:-

# 52252802 for the one i bought - correct for Elan Turbo

# 52252202 for the smaller one (for the NA)

As you can see, only one digit different on the number, but a big difference in the car.

[dapinky]

Having just had a squint, I see that RA have a selection of kits in the right size - including a Exedy 09017 at £132.85..... but the internet shows that to be an 8 1/2" plate (215mm).

Further research shows a LuK kit with the same numeric part number (09017) - at a very reasonable £83.35 from RA....... and by looking everywhere on t'interweb, they say that they don't list a kit for an elan.......

.... however, the 09017 is for the Impulse turbo, and has the 8 1/2" disc, with the correct splines.

As such, I conclude that it will (probably!) be the right one.

LuK are a well-known and respected brand - and are OE suppliers for VW/Audi Group cars (whether that is good or bad, is for you to discern).


Bottom line - I wouldn't get the one you linked to when the same can be got elsewhere cheaper (but will take a few days to get here).

If it were me, I'd buy the LuK kit

(except I wouldn't, as I still have my Valeo kit sitting in the conservatory - - so, basically, if you need it in a hurry you have a limited choice in the UK......

......... unless someone who has one is happy for you to have theirs on the understanding that you replaced it with a suitable - possibly LuK - kit once it arrives from RA.)



even bottomer line - it appears that Lotus did their usual trick of 'parts bin engineering' for the clutch on the elan - the part numbers as referred to above are standard bits on the Isuzu 1.8 engine as used in the Impulse (and others) - - maybe they thought the Impulse 1.6 unit was going to be too small for the torque in a lighter car?????)

[Simon_P]

The correct clutch plate has six coil springs in it the (usually) cheaper ones have four.

[HJ2]

I used the Exedy kit from RA 2 times now without any complaints

[Rambo]

I used the Exedy kit from RA 2 times now without any complaints

Twice ??

In over 40 years driving all sorts of vehicles (over 850,000 miles) I've never ever had to replace a clutch

Plenty of discs and pads, but never a clutch

[HJ2]

Not on the same car you dummy

When the car has more than 100k kilometres and the gearbox needs to come off for some reason, I prefer to exchange the clutch as well.

[Rambo]

A good idea if the gearbox has to come out

[clemo]

speedy from rock autos it is then .

thanks guys

[chrisP]

A quick update the LUK 09017 Clutch kit is no good for our cars, despite being advertised on Rockauto as being a 8 7/8" clutch plate it is in fact 8 1/2" - After taking 22 days to arrive!!!!

[chrisP]

It also seems no matter what one you buy, the pressure plate is the same (marked up as DK)

[Brit-Car-Nut]

"More Info from Rock Auto:"
LUK 09017 RepSet®

Clutch Disc Diameter 8-7/8"
Clutch Disc Spline Quantity 14
Clutch Plate Facing Outer Diameter 8-1/2"
Input Shaft Diameter 1"
Kit Contents Cover Assembly, Clutch Disc, Release Bearing, all Necessary Pilots, Accessory Pack
Number of clutch disc springs 4
Pressure Plate Type Push Type Diaphragm

Possible Solution?

M-PACT 381032D 8-7/8" X 1" X 14T Info
Turbo (Only 11 Remaining) $28.79

[chrisP]

I have had problems with the Valeo clutch slipping, however after taking the gearbox off there are no signs of why this is happening. So now as I cannot return the Luk clutch as it is outside Rockautos 30 day return window (and taking 22 days to arrive ) I suspect the clutch spring is faulty in the existing cover plate so will replace it with the one from the Luk kit and use my old (2000 mile) clutch plate.

I have three pressure plates from different clutch suppliers which are in fact exactly the same item.

Thanks for looking at Rockauto again for me though.

I just wanted to make sure no one else made the same mistake

Chris

[RonR]

Thanks for flagging the problems with the LUK clutches Chris.

I've just ordered a Sachs K7004701 kit from RA, more expensive but the "info" photo shows 6 diaphragm springs so it looks right....
Strangely the photo also shows a "Valeo" marking on the plate, so I'll be keeping my fingers crossed when opening the box.

Ron

[chrisP]

Check the size as soon as it arrives Ron, so you are not in the same 'no return' situation that I am in. Is yours being shipped from the States?

[RonR]

Yes, looks like it's coming from Texas and due to arrive early next week.

I'll post here when I've checked it.

[RonR]

The Sachs K7004701 clutch kit has now arrived, and:
Both the cover and the plate are 8 7/8 diameter and the plate has 6 springs:

Sachs Clutch Plate.jpg

So it looks like it's the right one.

Thanks again Chris, and good luck with yours.
Ron

[marvic]

Just looked in my box of bits that came with my car and I’ve got a new kit of the same part number so should be fine. My car has a lightened flywheel and a race type clutch so this one was never used.

[par]

Looks like my clutch is on its way out and will need to be replaced, not bad going as it seems to be the original clutch with the car on 170K.

Anyone know what make of clutch the one listed on SJ Sports will likely be, any of the brands listed above?

If the Sachs type is the correct one listed on RockAuto once you factor in shipping & time it doesn't offer a significant saving over the SJ price, however if there is a quality advantage it may be worth ordering from RA.

[Tuga2112]

Looks like my clutch is on its way out and will need to be replaced, not bad going as it seems to be the original clutch with the car on 170K.

Anyone know what make of clutch the one listed on SJ Sports will likely be, any of the brands listed above?

If the Sachs type is the correct one listed on RockAuto once you factor in shipping & time it doesn't offer a significant saving over the SJ price, however if there is a quality advantage it may be worth ordering from RA.

when i needed to do one. i was refered to rockauto getting an impulse clutch. (bigger size) mine its a satch i think it cost me on the 120-140s kind of range. but i bought 2 of them with timing belt kits as well for the sake of getting all posted together.

i will try to remmeber to check the details when i get home later