My isuzu DMax is a 2014 model with 140,000 kilometres on the clock with about 30-40,000 of those done whilst towing a 2.2 tonne van. the clutch still feels ok with no slipping or difficulty in changing gears and no mention of any fault when the car has been serviced. What I would like to know is approximately what is the life expectancy of a clutch. I realise that will depend on how the car is driven but mine is driven gently with virtually no city travel whatsoever.
I am planning on another fairly lengthy trip up north soon and don't know whether I should be looking at getting a clutch replacement if the life expectancy is only a few more kilometres or whether it should still have a fair bit of life left.
At what mileage have others replaced the clutch in their 4wd and approximately what sort of cost is involved (in ballpark figures). I figured it would be about a 6 hour job and parts would be about 1K on top of that. Is that that thereabouts?
Well, in the old days with before 80's cars, I would get 15years out of them, but they were I reckon betterbuilt back then, so maybe 10 years for your veh. Now the pressure plate and thrust bearing is something that does wear out first, but if you have not been riding the clutch, they should be okay as well. I can fit a clutch, including dismantling in about 2 hours, on my own, that is on 80's vehciles, modern vehicles shouldn't be more then 4hours, at around $120 hr today, p lus parts.
-- Edited by Bicyclecamper on Friday 9th of June 2023 03:40:39 PM
My 2010 Ranger has 260000k and I feel it may need the clutch replaced soon.
I have ordered a new clutch kit, i have decided to do the conversion to a single mass flywheel the kit is a tad over $800, if I chose to stay with the dual mass flywheel, I would be looking at $1500, plus installation.
I was advised that if I was to stay wth DMF its generally excepted that the flywheel need replacing as well.
Just done a clutch on son in laws hilux 3lt, 180,000klms,
Had a hard life pulling 1.5 ton skiboat up dirt bush boat ramps, took us 12 hours(no hoist), replaced crankshaft spigot bearing, machined & ground flywheel (have a decent lathe) clutch cost 1,100$ was a kit with throw out bearing included, had to remove catalytic converter, tail shafts, front wheel drive flange & rear engine mount, was quoted $2,100
To supply & fit by a stealership.
Joda
My isuzu DMax is a 2014 model with 140,000 kilometres on the clock with about 30-40,000 of those done whilst towing a 2.2 tonne van. the clutch still feels ok with no slipping or difficulty in changing gears and no mention of any fault when the car has been serviced. What I would like to know is approximately what is the life expectancy of a clutch. I realise that will depend on how the car is driven but mine is driven gently with virtually no city travel whatsoever.
I am planning on another fairly lengthy trip up north soon and don't know whether I should be looking at getting a clutch replacement if the life expectancy is only a few more kilometres or whether it should still have a fair bit of life left.
At what mileage have others replaced the clutch in their 4wd and approximately what sort of cost is involved (in ballpark figures). I figured it would be about a 6 hour job and parts would be about 1K on top of that. Is that that thereabouts?
Clutch in my V8 Landcruiser still was fine at 130,000km even though a lot of that was towing a heavy trailer. However, as I had just upped the power to 200kw and intended to tow a 3500km van on my 'forever' travels I installed an NPC super heavy duty clutch, just because!
Back to your DMax. These are great cars, and would hardly feel a 2.2 ton van when towing it. If you really want to cover the options you could purchase a new clutch kit, and even a flywheel, and take it with you.
In 'The bush' anybody can replace a clutch in a very short time if you have the parts.. Pointless spending money installing a new clutch simply to feel good, although I can understand your concerns. If we spent our life insuring against all the 'What ifs' that could occur we'd never get out of bed, and even then we need to worry about the roof collapsing! 'Forget it' is my suggestion. Cheers.
Clutches do not have an expiry date as such. Couple of practices that cause premature failure:
1) Holding the clutch depressed whilst waiting for a red light to change. This will wear the thrust bearing.
2) Unduly riding the clutch. Some drivers hold the vehicle on a hill using the clutch. This will wear the clutch
plate prematurely.
Yobarr makes a good point taking a clutch with you just one thing: Some like to machine the flywheel
when replacing the clutch. It may need it it may not. Not knowing a lot about your vehicle, some cannot
be machined because of no adjustment available. My 2001 VT V8 Commodore was one. No adjustment
provided so only option was to replace the flywheel.
You can Google 'Clutch replacement for 2014 Dmax' and this will give you a ball park figure as to what
to expect to pay for parts. My search came back with $600 to $1200 for parts.
Clutch slip would indicate most likely a worn clutch plate, difficulties selecting gears probably pressure
plate. The kicker here is you do not want to wear the clutch plate down and have the rivets damage the flywheel.
Similar to worn brake pads.
From what you wrote, I do not believe you need to worry.
Thanks for the replies. It isnt showing any of the symptoms and I am always mindful of not doing the things that put it under stress. As the people who service it always take it for a test drive after, I am sure they are always looking for another avenue to my wallet and would inform me if they detected anything.
I will leave it alone. Thanks all.
.... As the people who service it always take it for a test drive after, I am sure they are always looking for another avenue to my wallet and would inform me if they detected anything. I will leave it alone. Thanks all.
It is a real shame that this is what it's become. No one can be trusted which basically means you need to do the
research and gather as much information as possible in order to keep them honest. Sometimes this can be hard work.
I know you have all been on tenterhooks waiting for the update on my clutch and I am happy to report I have had it looked at today.
I took my Isuzu to a reputable mechanical service that specialises in 4WD, especially clutches, gearboxes and brakes. The fellow spent a good while going over the pedal movement, master cylinder, slave cylinder, checked the colour of the fluid and took it for a drive. He told me the clutch was in great condition and I can expect many more kilometres out of it.
I told him I have done about one third of the kilometres (140,000) towing a 2.2 tonne van and the rest all sealed road driving.
He told me the majority of clutch failures were the usual ones, riding the clutch, using the clutch instead of the handbrake, using the clutch as a foot rest whilst driving. He also told me that driving a 4WD on soft sand or dirt on a regular basis, such as beach or boggy terrain virtually halved, if not more, the life of a clutch. He told me he has a 12 year old manual 4WD that has over 400,000 on the clock and still the original clutch. He also told me that he has replaced clutches for some of his punters after only 50,000 due to the manner of driving and the places they took them.
Funnily enough, he told me the largest "wearer outer" of clutches was backing into places in caravan parks using normal reverse gear. Apparently with all the clutch riding and pushing a heavy van the clutch suffers greatly. He advised me to always select low range and reverse that way, a thing I have always done from new.
Good bloke, knowledgeable and didn't even want the payment I offered even though he spent a good half hour with me.
Hope some of this helps any of you who have a manual.
