Nearly ready to throw in the towel....

Post 736823 by martin_r_smith on 2014-09-23 21:31:22

Anybody who has followed my tdi project thread will know I had a disappointing experience with a new 'performance' clutch due to excessive judder. I was offered a replacement clutch plate as I wasn't happy so that was to be fitted today. Well... The garage took everything off again (with me watching) and to my horror as the clutch assembly came off the flywheel, which was also new, is absolutely buggered at a mere 600 miles old. Now we all thought immediately that luk must have supplied a dodgy flywheel and hence all the juddering, it showed very uneven wear and the whole thing was just shaken to bits. So on goes my original flywheel as to be honest it wasn't too bad. New clutch plate in and pressure plate on, at this point it all becomes clear. Looking at the pressure plate the mechanic notices that some of the fingers are not level with the others, out comes a straight edge and measuring tool and there is a 2mm difference between the highest and lowest point. We checked the original unit and all was uniform. Now 2mm is not a lot, but it means that the clutch plate was being engaged at a slight angle resultinging in the juddering as it basically snapped back and forth. So now I'm stuck because I need the car for work, so on goes the original pressure plate too. All back together and we are judder free and working. However this means that my car now has only a new clutch plate. But I have payed: £245 for full clutch kit £314 for new flywheel £30 for release bearing £600 for 2 lots of labour!! So £1189 for just replacing a maybe £100 clutch plate, so I am royally ££££3d off now and the company shall feel my wrath tomorrow. My issue now is whats reasonable to ask for? The faulty product has caused the need for a 2nd lots of labour, a ruined flywheel, and the fact the original kit sold to me is not even fitted to the car!!! Also if I'm to stick to my plan I'm going to need to pay the garage again to fit a new flywheel and stronger pressure plate, so even more money that could have been avoided if I had been supplied satisfactory goods to start with. Feeling as low as a badgers ball sack now and just not sure what to do :(

Post 736825 by Santa on 2014-09-23 21:46:28

Not to sure to be honest.....obviously at least a new flywheel but might be worth talking to trading standards to see how far they would back you?

Post 736826 by Redbrick on 2014-09-23 21:47:12

Did you pay with a credit card? (Hope so!)

Post 736828 by V70 Graham on 2014-09-23 22:03:24

Bummer, not good news Martin, hope it's sorted to your satisfaction.

Post 736830 by MoleT-5R on 2014-09-23 22:10:39

sorry to here this Martin and feel you pain, probably be difficult to get much more than the part cost recovered...unfortunately

Post 736836 by martin_r_smith on 2014-09-23 22:33:16

I will be happy enough if I get refunded for the clutch parts and the flywheel, but i will just have to see what they say tomorrow. The garage is going to call them to discuss the findings first and we shall take it from there.

Post 736841 by Saaamon on 2014-09-23 23:38:07

I'd have thought it would be easy getting a decent clutch for your engine with it being a vag unit. I'd be polite but firm from the start, do your research first and make sure you know your rights.