Catastrophic Clutch Failure at 16000km !!!!!

[3jcorolla]

Just updated the images so they work

[PassatB6]

Just updated the images so they work

Never heard of one failing like that before especially at low kms. Was the car purchased new?

[Bug_racer]

Make sure the input shaft gets checked . I currently have a car here that had a similar issue and the clutch was actually still engaged when it was driving burning the clutch plate out in less than 500kms .

[Umai Naa!!]

Never seen one fail like that before.

If I hadn't read the post, and just looked at the images, I would've assumed driver abuse too.

Your (parents') word against their's on this one, I'm afraid.

[K1W1]

Arrange an independent third party inspection and report by a licensed automotive engineer (not somebodies mate with a workshop). If your parents are in the RACV that would be one place to start.
If you do not do that you will not have a leg to stand on in any future argument.
This forum has allowed you to rant but ranting here will do nothing towards resolving the problem in a professional manner.

[gldgti]

Arrange an independent third party inspection and report by a licensed automotive engineer (not somebodies mate with a workshop). If your parents are in the RACV that would be one place to start.
If you do not do that you will not have a leg to stand on in any future argument.
This forum has allowed you to rant but ranting here will do nothing towards resolving the problem in a professional manner.

Fact is, unless the problem is VERY obvious nobody will be able to tell if the issue was a mechanical fault or driver problem - friction surfaces looking like that just indicate lots of slippage and nobody is going to prove one way or the other whose fault it is - just depends whose 'side' you are on.

[K1W1]

Fact is, unless the problem is VERY obvious nobody will be able to tell if the issue was a mechanical fault or driver problem

True but at this stage there is one "expert" (the dealership) saying one thing (driver fault) and the owner has nothing in response other than to say "I didn't do it". An independent inspection may well find something the dealership has overlooked or at least be able to demonstrate the the fault could also have been caused by mechanical failure rather than simply driver error. The OP has posted a massive bitch about how wronged they have been and how perfect the driving ability of their parents are but they have apparently not taken basic steps to ensure that their side of the argument can be proven and are instead relying entirely on the dealerships story without any sort on independent confirmation.

[gldgti]

Make sure the input shaft gets checked . I currently have a car here that had a similar issue and the clutch was actually still engaged when it was driving burning the clutch plate out in less than 500kms .

Yeah. It looks like there has been CRAZY amounts of slippage. To get blueing on the plate like that, we are talking about 400C temps. Its not surprising that it failed.

Im my opinion, it would not be a fault with the clutch but a fault with the gearbox input shaft (not allowing the friction disc to slide along the shaft) or with the release arm.

There is also the possibility that the driver was driving along with their foot resting heaviliy on the clutch pedal. (not an accusation, just saying, it could achieve the same result).