Is the car worth a clutch?

[rwb]

Feels like it's time for a clutch. I thought I'd get away with it, but I can definitely feel it slipping and sometimes when setting off there's a lot of juddering.

Looks like a re-manufactured clutch is about half the price of a real one: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/181124219378
Thoughts?
Given that the 406 is just shy of 200k and is essentially scrap living on borrowed time, I'm reluctant to spend anything

[madmadmax]

check the lower engine mount as that's cheaper than a clutch and can cause juddering when setting off

[Sonia406]

How could you say such a thing

Of course it's worth a clutch (if that's what it needs)
Don't give up on her, Gladys needs you!

[TheSongRemainsTheSame]

I've had this discussion with myself several times.

Pro's:
- You know your car, you know what to expect from it.
- Fixing up your car is cheaper than buying a new one, always*
- You can keep your car longer.
- Your car will be, despite its age, easier to sell with a large job like a clutch change done.
- You will always learn something by doing it yourself.
- Clutch change is a lot easier than you think, but you'll going to need a mate for the reassembly.
*if you can do it yourself.

Cons:
- You will not have an excuse to buy a new car
- If your time is worth more than you money, don't do it.
- I don't know, I kind of like fixing up my old pugs:)

Btw change the lower engine mount while your changing the clutch. I didnt do mine and have to engineer a clever way to do it without taking the drive shafts off. Was kind of a bother.

Btw2: That engine won't die. I've had several of them open and the cylinders and pistons were all good as new.

[rwb]

Thanks for pointing out the engine mount. It must certainly need one.

Thanks TSRTS, I think that's convinced me to book it in. Way beyond my expertise. I always say that buying a second hand car is just swapping a load of problems you do know about for a load of problems you don't know about.

What do you think about the reconditioned clutch? Good enough or false economy?


After 7 years of ownership the slowness is getting a bit tiresome, but honestly I think I get more enjoyment out of high MPG than I do from high MPH. The real killer is the wind noise from the misshapen front doors. Nevertheless, it will be a very sad day when it goes.

[Bailes1992]

False economy!
Buy a good quality branded clutch. You got 200k out of the standard one, if you get a good clutch you can expect 200k out of the next one!

[Sonia406]

I think I get more enjoyment out of high MPG than I do from high MPH. Nevertheless, it will be a very sad day when it goes.

In current economic climates, you need to hold onto your car... she's very economical.
Don't let her go...

[steve_earwig]

My Craptina used to eat reconditioned clutches but then it was being very abused (what else are Fords for?)

[Welly]

A clutch kit made by LUK should do the job nicely.

Your whistley doors might be able to be cured by 'persuading' the door seals to fit tighter, in the past I've been known to slip some small diameter plastic tubing down inside the hollow section of the door rubber to make it 'fatter' where it needs.

[rwb]

Ta. Luk it is then.

[rwb]

Here's a bit more on the door.

From the back, you can see that the side of it sticks out compared to the rear passenger door.



From the front, you can see the massive gap at the top of the windscreen, and the rear edge of the door comes too far in, and in fact is damaging the rubber.

[highlander]

Mine needs the rear wheel bearings changed. Can get a complete rear hub + ABS ring on eBay for £23.99 (so £48 for a pair).

I was looking for brake backplates so they can be changed at the same time (mine are badly rusted, quel surprise) but the only one on eBay seems to also be fairly corroded. And there's only one of them.

[jasper5]

[quote="rwb"]Here's a bit more on the door.

From the back, you can see that the side of it sticks out compared to the rear passenger door.



From the front, you can see the massive gap at the top of the windscreen, and the rear edge of the door comes too far in, and in fact is damaging the rubber.

[/quote



Have you thought of adjusting your door hinges?

[lozz]

I agree it looks like its out
On the hinges,

Block of wood/trolley jack and adjust perhaps..

[Welly]

Yes looks like it's been poorly fitted, maybe after a minor bump/repair. It looks to far 'in' at the wing shut line and to 'high' at the door handle end, the whole thing is skew-whiff.

I'd even think about getting a bodyshop to have a look at it if you don't fancy the job?