Recon Clutch Replacement – The Cheaper Alternative for Older Vehicles
A vehicle purchased with a maintenance plan is a luxury few are subject to; sometimes, older vehicles are purchased in a private capacity, or you may have a trusty old “go-getter” parked in your garage, one you love as a family member and take great care and pride with. Components of motor vehicles such as brakes, tyres and clutches are some of real load-bearing components, and are typically he most replaced and repaired aspects of a motor vehicle.
So what do you do if the clutch – an absolutely vital item in any manual transmission car – gives in? You can either sell the car, or you can replace or repair it. Sometimes, replacement with a new part may simply not be possible – due to manufacturers not producing tat part anymore, or simply because it’s too expensive. That’s where reconditioned clutches come into play. We discuss what a recon clutch is; it’s pros as well as possible cons.
How do I know if I might need a new clutch?
Common signs that you might need a new clutch fitted include:
- Changing gears is difficult
- There’s a rattling or grinding sound when you change gears
- You can rev the engine, but your car barely increases in speed
- Engine revs climb or fall seemingly at random
- The clutch may seem to ‘slip’ causing a loss of acceleration, or a complete loss of drive
Pros and Cons of a Reconditioned Clutch
A properly rebuilt clutch by a reputable shop is as good as a new clutch and costs less.
Always replace the pilot bearing and throw-out bearing with each clutch replacement. These are separate items from the rebuilt clutch.
As for clutch chatter after replacement, ensure the flywheel is removed and resurfaced.
Advantages:
- Lower cost
- If done properly, a reliable and affordable solution to get your car back on the roads
- During recon, you can ask for an additional inspection to see if there are other contributing or underlying faults on your car’s clutch system
- If your clutch sat too high or was too “hard’ prior to reconditioning, this issue may be able to be resolved.
Disadvantages
- If you are still under a maintenance plan, you may void any warranty of the manufacturer if you choose a reconditioned clutch and you have not worked through the dealership.
- If less-than-satisfactory workmanship was carried out you may have knock-on or repetitive issues with the reconditioned clutch.
Need professional advice on reconditioning your clutch? Why not get in touch with us today by clicking here?
Cover Image Credit: FRSport.com