Post 141671 by pzorb on 2006-09-12 10:42:38
After reading up on how old Soviet motorbikes work, it seems that depressing their clutch still causes friction and so by 'riding the clutch' in this manner still causes wear (and not just a loss of control etc).
In our cars when depressing the clutch fully are any clutch materials in contact? I ask as I normally sit at the lights with first engaged but hold the clutch as I'm too lazy to put it into neutral and then back again; on the assumption that depressing the clutch causes no more wear than choosing neutral and releasing it.
Will I need a fourth clutch sooner than I thought? (Clutches on the car have historically been done every 70k)
Post 141673 by MartinK on 2006-09-12 10:52:48
[QUOTE=pzorb]I'm too lazy to put it into neutral and then back again[/QUOTE]
At the risk of hijacking the thread, I've always wondered about this - surely it's less effort to put the car in neutral than expend the effort of keeping the clutch pedal depressed until the lights change.
It may seem like you're saving your left arm the effort of moving the gear stick twice, but I feel that's less of an issue than keeping my left leg muscles tensed keeping the pedal down.
Anyhoo, back on topic, I don't know the answer to your question. :sorry: :biggrin:
Post 141676 by wright_t5 on 2006-09-12 10:59:16
Catching this thread, and giving my penny worth...
Riding the clutch used to be a problem and still is to a degree, modern clutches are slightly different to older ones, but anyway, when you "ride" the clutch your putting pressure on the thrust bearing, that's what typically will wear out, rather than the clutch plate/friction plate, as you would have to apply a bit more pressure, although if you have a light clutch then this is possible... it is always best to have yer foot OFF the clutch pedal when not using it... I once had an Astra that had 160,000 on the original clutch, when it eventually broke, it was actually the thrust bearing that wore through the fingers of the clutch cover, rather than the driven plate wearing out....
If in doubt keep it out.....................
Post 141681 by pzorb on 2006-09-12 11:11:57
[QUOTE=MartinK]At the risk of hijacking the thread, I've always wondered about this - surely it's less effort to put the car in neutral than expend the effort of keeping the clutch pedal depressed until the lights change.[/QUOTE]Heh well to be honest it's usually for a fast gettaway :rice: - but I do normally just wedge my foot in there unless in heavy traffic.
[QUOTE=MartinK]It may seem like you're saving your left arm the effort of moving the gear stick twice, but I feel that's less of an issue than keeping my left leg muscles tensed keeping the pedal down.[/QUOTE] Right leg gets a good workout, got to keep the left one in check or I'd run in circles :lol:
[QUOTE=wrightt5]If in doubt keep it out.....................[/QUOTE]That's my new bar phrase. Brilliant :mischievo
I see the issue with the thrust bearing; certainly the 850s have a 'characteristic' of these squeaking after not very long. But mine's taken about 20k of this behaviour, and the only sign of wear I noticed is slight juddering on idle take-up (now I have to give a teeny blip of gas before engaging the clutch for smoothness)
Post 141683 by wright_t5 on 2006-09-12 11:18:41
Indeed, the mileage for wearing it out will depend on how bad you "lean" on the pedal, if at all, you might feel like your pressing, but you might only be "resting" it is not a for gone conclusion, it's the way they work, it might last 100,000 miles, it might last 30,000 who knows... cars are cars...........
one guarantee........ IT WILL GO WRONG...
if in doubt keep it out, yeah, didnt work for me!!!!!!!
Post 141782 by kimbaleeg on 2006-09-12 22:09:43
all i can say is get an auto you just wear the brakes out more lol