Clutch Query

[thomask]

Hi,

I recently had problems with my clutch where when puling away, the clutch would shudder once in a while and was starting to get worse but otherwise the car drove very comfortably. I took it to a guy to put a new clutch in but now there seems to be new problems. The clutch doesn't take as easily as it did before, forcing me to be very careful with my clutch control. And the drive is all of a sudden very bouncy and not as comfortable as it was prior to the clutch replacement. Could this be due to the clutch or defective workmanship? Is it possible a used clutch could have been put in and is it in any way possible to check whether or not the clutch that was put in is used/defective? The guy who worked on it took it for a drive and said he couldn't notice anything. I then went to test drive a similar used megane and it didn't have the bouncy, erratic ride and clutch issues, similar to how my megane drove before I took it for the clutch replacement. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[IainMW]

What mileage has your car done and are you in the UK?

If your Megane is a 2007 model (you mention in another post) and you are in the UK then the car would have been under warranty unless you've topped 60,000 miles?

Did you get the clutch replaced by a reputable garage or just a mechanic you know?

It is possible that the new clutch is faulty, I had a 2002 Laguna 1.9dCi that had the clutch replaced under warranty and the first one fitted by the garage was faulty resulting them fitting a second one before they gave me the car back, but after that I found the bite point and weight of the clutch very different to what it was before?

When you say it has a bouncy erratic ride, can you elaborate a little more? (I am thinking this might be a Dual Mass Flywheel issue here)

[thomask]

Yes, it's still under warranty, I've done 31 000 miles and it's a 2007 model. It is a used Megane 1.6. The clutch was replaced by a Renault dealership but their service has been shocking, they replaced my brakes, driver's seat cover and clutch and they messed all three up. The brakes and seat cover have been resolved but I'm still struggling with the clutch. The dealership says they can't feel anything wrong with the clutch but after driving a used megane of similar year and milage I'm even more certain something is wrong.

Before your Laguna's replacement clutch was replaced what 'symptoms' did it show?

It's very hard to describe the erratic ride. The car doesn't feel as solid and planted on the road anymore, especially when I accelerate, almost as if I'm driving over a slightly uneven road surface and a very slight but annoying uneven vibration as felt through the pedals. Do you think they could have damaged something else during the clutch replacement or could this be something unrelated?

Also, what is a Dual Mass Flywheel?

[IainMW]

If you are not happy with the service then you need to complain in writting to the MD of the dealership and Renault UK, their address is on the forum.

Given that you are experiencing other problems following the clutch replacement I suggest this is the course of action you take.

The clutch fitted could be faulty, the Dual Mass Flywheel (which smooths out engine vibration) could also have been damaged during the work or it could have just failed (which they do from time to time), the engine might also need repositioning on it's mounts?

The main point is that you now have a list of issues that were not apparent before the clutch was replaced and you are not happy with the service form the dealership you used.

The clutch on my old Laguna just started to slip one day and that was the only symptom it had.

[Nige]

Have to say mine shudders on the rare occasion too mainly when its cold....

Is the Meganes flywheel Solid?? Mine is a 1.4 16v 03...

[AlexB]

Yours is solid.

Have to say mine shudders on the rare occasion too mainly when its cold....

Is the Meganes flywheel Solid?? Mine is a 1.4 16v 03...

[Nige]

Yours is solid.

Have to say mine shudders on the rare occasion too mainly when its cold....

Is the Meganes flywheel Solid?? Mine is a 1.4 16v 03...

Cheer's, any reasons to why i could be getting some shudder?

[thomask]

another thing I noticed is that when I accelerate and then release the accelerator, the car doesn't stop accelerating smoothly, instead it jerks a bit. It didn't do this before. What could be the cause of this?

[Nige]

another thing I noticed is that when I accelerate and then release the accelerator, the car doesn't stop accelerating smoothly, instead it jerks a bit. It didn't do this before. What could be the cause of this?

Im suffering the very same issue!!! Hmmm.. Release bearing maybe im thinking?