I am finally getting my clutch and flywheel replaced today. After taking it apart it is apparent that the clutch is no just worn but completely blown. Check out the pics. I have more of the disassembled mini I will post later. Good news is that the transmission is in Good shape, bad new is that some plastic pieces to the cooling system are on their last legs, so I will be replacing them as well.

 

Interesting pics, thanks for contributing them. How many miles were on this clutch? What symptoms were you having? Did it fail slowly (over hundreds or thousands of miles) or did it fail very suddenly? Did you do any sort of racing? I'm full of questions!

 

I am I believe the third or so owner to this car. It is the original clutch with 67000 miles on it. I have only had it since April 2015 and have only put maybe 3000 miles on it since, it's a weekend driver. I cannot answer about how it was driven but my friend who is doing the work and is an are certified mechanic said that it was caused by downshifting to far while at high revolutions. I do downshift coming to lights sometimes but hot alot. On the day is just completely failed I was sitting at a red light with the clutch engaged and it went then. I could tell as I was pulling away from the light that something g was wrong. I drove to one other day and then parked it until last Saturday when I babied it to my friends shop.

 

The disassembled mini. What a pain in the rear this must have been.

 

Glad to see you're getting this done, Erik! That clutch has seen better days. I remember when I blew my sprung clutch up on the track. When I took it out 2 of the springs were not in their proper place. Looks like your friend is trucking along. Be sure to share how it feels when he is done.

 

Well, at least you can't have any doubt that the clutch needed doing!

 

Wow, that's brutal! I'm sorry it happened. How much did it cost you? And the exhaust has to come out to do the clutch job?!

 

^yep, the exhaust comes out on those cars. When the friction material completely de-laminates, the rivets in the clutch plate destroy the flywheel's friction surface. That adds a big number to the bill.

 

I thought flywheel has to be replaced anyways, at least on an S since you can't turn a dual mass flywheel?

 

Correct.

 

Correct if it's damaged. If you catch the clutch in time, and the friction surface is not overheated and in good shape, you can scuff it and re-use.

 

Ok so overall I spent approx. 700 on the parts and my friend did the work for 400 for me. I picked it up tonight and all I an say is wow. The clutch now works like it should, it grabs right away, its great. I replaced the flywheel, clutch kit and bought a new rear main seal, and a few small replacement parts that PelicanParts recommended that I replace along with my friend. I am now getting a parts list together for the cooling system, it needs a few parts replaced. I guess while I am in there I will do the turbo muffler delete as well. Does anyone have a good links to the aftermarket replacement for that delete. I like to price shop so any and all help is appreciated.


Erik

 

Great job! If you need help compiling that list please don't hesitate to shoot me a PM.

 

Will Do Pelican Parts! I usually purchase all my Mini Parts etc from you guys! Thanks