T4 Needs New Clutch....Reccomendations!

[Sunny43.5]

When I changed my clutch kit in my T5 2005 model I was able to do the job with just the tools I had at home I may have bought the odd allen key or spline bit from Repco on the day . But nothing out of the ordinary .

[LogicprObe]

When I changed my clutch kit in my T5 2005 model I was able to do the job with just the tools I had at home I may have bought the odd allen key or spline bit from Repco on the day . But nothing out of the ordinary .

How heavy is the box?
One man handle it OK under the car?

[Sunny43.5]

Ha ha how old are you and how strong , the mongrel IS heavy but I had a mate help me for that bit , I was on my back and had the box on my chest then sort of wrestled it into position . Once we got it lined up with spline it just slid into position and we just put a jack under it to hold it while the rest of the bolts were fitted . The pig part is you need to get the van up high enough to lower it and clear the bottom of the van subframe , you also need to unbolt the steering rack from memory to get the box out . Someone may have more info as my memory of the swearing etc has faded .

[LogicprObe]

Hmmmmm.........thinking about getting VW to do it..........but it sounds expensive!

[Sunny43.5]

As unskilled home mechanics , wait these days they are known as technicians . Any way when I did the job it would have totalled 8 hours , but remember a dealer will have ALL the correct tools and the correct hoists and gearbox stands . The dealers would probably charge at least 8 hours plus to do the job so be prepared . They will not give away the chance to make a job like yours a nice juicy earner for the business so they will milk it , I would try and find an independent mechanic to do the job because as I said almost any unskilled weekender mechanic can do the job .

[LogicprObe]

Yeah...........I know what they're like.
On my old T4, something went wrong with the gearbox/diff under warranty.......it was making a ticking noise.
Anyway, they had to replace the box and it was a six week wait for one to arrive from Germany.
After it arrived, I got a call saying the clutch was worn past the half way point, did I want to replace it?
(I think he quoted about $1500) so I went down to the workshop and had a look.........heaps of meat left on it!

Put it back in, I said!
That was around 80k.......................I finally replaced it at 380k............only because the thrust bearing went bang!
(the kit was under $400 by memory)

[Sunny43.5]

Ha thrust bearing was the reason I did my clutch kit as well , screaming its arse off for a couple of days until I replaced it .

[LogicprObe]

Ha thrust bearing was the reason I did my clutch kit as well , screaming its arse off for a couple of days until I replaced it .

Yeah..........the T4 crapped itself right outside Petersham Town Hall in peak hour!
I was very popular with the other motorists.

My T5 makes a noise now and then like a dry bearing spinning.........only when I push the clutch in.......so it must be it.
Only 280k on this one though.

[Sunny43.5]

When you see the throw out bearing for your T5 you would be amazed how cheap and flimsy it is , for all the work it has to do I would have thought it would be more substantial .

[LogicprObe]

That's the thing..........I can get bearings for bugger all but you have to pull the whole thing out anyway!
I think their clutches are good and the weak link is the bearing.
Driving around Sydney.......you're always on the clutch.

So, I priced a thrust from VW..........$275.........whole kit.........$650!