Do clutches need running in?

Phate · 2 Jun 2009 at 17:35

Hi all,

New clutch going in the car soon, do they need running in or have a breaking in period?

Ta.
Jake

GeX · 2 Jun 2009 at 17:36

i've never bothered.

Berger · 2 Jun 2009 at 17:39

I would go easy on it for the first 250 miles or so depending on use.

Same as when you have new brakes.

Its two plates that need to wear against each other remember, when they are brand new I cant imagine the friction will be as good as when slightly worn in.

Phate · 2 Jun 2009 at 17:39

GeX said:
i've never bothered.

You've never bothered...changing the clutch or running it in?

Phate · 2 Jun 2009 at 17:40

Berger said:
I would go easy on it for the first 250 miles or so depending on use.

Same as when you have new brakes.

Its two plates that need to wear against each other remember, when they are brand new I cant imagine the friction will be as good as when slightly worn in.

Ok cool stuff

Thank you!

Just want my car back now

GeX · 2 Jun 2009 at 17:44

Phate said:
You've never bothered...changing the clutch or running it in?

running them in, but then i dont make a habbit of trying to murder the clutch often either!

MeAnBoY · 2 Jun 2009 at 17:45

I guess it depends on how mechanically sympathetic you were, i would take it easy for the first 100 miles or so just to make sure.

Phate · 2 Jun 2009 at 17:45

GeX said:
running them in, but then i dont make a habbit of trying to murder the clutch often either!

Neither do I

but it's being done anyway so thought I'd ask.

Cheers

Phate · 2 Jun 2009 at 17:46

MeAnBoY said:
I guess it depends on how mechanically sympathetic you were, i would take it easy for the first 100 miles or so just to make sure.

A term with the words 'not' and 'very' would probably suit me

I can be if required tho

BigglesPiP · 2 Jun 2009 at 19:25

Not particularly.

But if you regularly give them fair stick it will stave off judder.

[TW]Fox · 2 Jun 2009 at 19:26

Mine absolutely stank when I gave it any sort of abuse for the first 250 miles or so.

Defcon5 · 2 Jun 2009 at 19:29

BigglesPiP said:
Not particularly.

But if you regularly give them fair stick it will stave off judder.

My clutch judders, if I treat it to some tough love will it make it better or is it knackered now? It works fine in every other respect, just judders when setting off

Housey · 2 Jun 2009 at 19:29

Yes, ideally

Muffin` · 2 Jun 2009 at 19:29

Aye any brand new cars smell of clutch if you drive it hard

Howard · 2 Jun 2009 at 19:31

Defcon5 said:
My clutch judders, if I treat it to some tough love will it make it better or is it knackered now? It works fine in every other respect, just judders when setting off

It will probably cure the judder at the expense of lifespan, yeah

BigglesPiP · 2 Jun 2009 at 19:38

Defcon5 said:
My clutch judders, if I treat it to some tough love will it make it better or is it knackered now? It works fine in every other respect, just judders when setting off

Once a clutch has started to judder, its done for.

A thrashing will stop it for long enough to sell the car tho.

Defcon5 · 2 Jun 2009 at 20:50

I will be replacing it soon anyway, but Ill have a go in the name of science... 7000rpm and foot off pedal?

Is that the only way? (obviously not at that rpm though!) What actually causes it?

BigglesPiP · 2 Jun 2009 at 21:14

Nope, that's how to smash the clutch.

Thrashing means lots of hard starts done properly, no wheelspin, as much throttle as possible.

Defcon5 · 2 Jun 2009 at 22:12

I see, will report back if it solves anything. Is it due to debris being deposited on the plate or something?

Lopéz · 2 Jun 2009 at 22:17

Sort of yes, it's a friction surface after all, like a brake pad. I've seen people kill a brand new clutch in a few weeks through ham-fistedness (or should that be footedness)