MY05 GT Clutch Options ??

[Q]

So nobody needed a clutch then?? Mine has started slipping badly tonight so will start ringing around tomorrow for quotes. Looks like the extra torque unleashed from the retune has been the final straw but I suppose 120k from a standard clutch isn't too bad (Can you tell my wife drives the Liberty alot!)

[GT_Tony]

So nobody needed a clutch then?? Mine has started slipping badly tonight so will start ringing around tomorrow for quotes. Looks like the extra torque unleashed from the retune has been the final straw but I suppose 120k from a standard clutch isn't too bad (Can you tell my wife drives the Liberty alot!)

can you let us know how you go mate, in the next few weeks i will be looking at clutches.

im going to look into the exedy clutch/flywheel conversion because it seems to be alot cheaper than replacing the duel-mass clutch

[coyote]

Mine has started slipping badly tonight so will start ringing around tomorrow for quotes.

Save some time. In Brisbane, there are only two numbers to call:

Jim Berry 3847 9999

Direct Clutch 3862 2680

[Sydo]

got my clutch replaced a few months back. DMF was "burnt' but the mechanic that did the work was able machine it so i didn't have to fork out the 1700+ for a new one...
clutch and flywheel have now done a few thousand clicks and it haven't had any problems....

just an option if you find you have a DMF and can't get a conversion kit (which was non-existent when i did mine)

[Q]

Just confirmed what flywheel I have with Subaru and it's supposed to be a solid one and not a dual mass version

Subaru quoted $1400 for replacement and I'm waiting for a few other quotes to come in. I was going to call Jim Berry today but didn't have enough spare time (he loves to have a chat and I know 10mins is never enough!). Have set aside a hour tomorrow to chat to him.

I will also be doing the front gearbox seal and rear engine seal whilst the clutch is out as advised by Jim the last time I spoke to him about another clutch so that'll probably add a couple of hundred to the final amount.

[teflon]

Just confirmed what flywheel I have with Subaru and it's supposed to be a solid one and not a dual mass version .

Hey Q, how did they confirm which flywheel you had? Was it just from your VIN? I'm an MY05 (2004 build) GT owner too... I think my clutch feels fine, but Subievolution think it's a bit heavy... I've procrastinated about replacing the clutch because if it's a DMF then that's big bucks. I am quite tempted to change it though because I suspect it could feel much better with a new one (that is, I may have just gotten used to the current characteristics of my clutch).

[smythie]

How does a heavy clutch indicate that it needs replacing? The weight of the clutch throw is down to the leverage ratio and clamp spring AFAIK

[coyote]

How does a heavy clutch indicate that it needs replacing? The weight of the clutch throw is down to the leverage ratio and clamp spring AFAIK

Yep

[teflon]

How does a heavy clutch indicate that it needs replacing? The weight of the clutch throw is down to the leverage ratio and clamp spring AFAIK

They mentioned the heavy clutch the first time I got it serviced ... They didn't say it needed replacing though - it's perhaps more me being fussy and thinking I should get it fixed! LOL. Agree, it only really needs to be changed once it starts slipping etc and since it feels fine to me (and more importantly to the missus) I should just leave it as it is for now. Still would be interested to know how to find out if i have a DMF or not though.

[Q]

Subaru can supposedly tell what flywheel is in your car from the vin. Whether or not it is reliable information remains to be seen as one of the workshops I contacted for a quote (AMauto) is adamant mine is a dual mass flywheel. The only way I'm going to find out is to pull it out.

Contacted Jim Berry today and the short version is that he can build me a clutch for about $800. He recommends replacing the rear engine seal ($60) and the gearbox seal also. Unfortunately the gearbox needs to be split to do this and it will cost another $400 so I'm undecided about that one. The cost of labour for the whole job will be approx another $500. Adding on for the flywheel grind (if its a solid one) and that's another $150 (guess). Plus of course oil.

So, if I don't change the seals I will save $460 plus the cost of the oil so almost $600 saving. Big call by Jim saying I should do the seals when it costs this much. I've normally been happy with the "if it ain't broke don't fix it" method so I'm at a crossroads with my wallet.

Decisions decisions.

[teflon]

Tough choices Q ... I'm taking the if it ain't broke then don't fix it approach as well. Let us know what you decide and your opinions after you've had it changed ... Plus, I'd be really interested to know if Subaru are right re your clutch from your VIN! Thanks for posting your progress so far mate.

[Q]

Well the clutch finally started slipping quite badly in every gear. As soon as boost came on it was revving like a Honda driver at the lights so it was time to choose who to let replace the clutch

After reading so many positive reports about Jim Berry I decided to go with him for the clutch and asked for a slightly heavier duty version with good bite but still a reasonably light pedal as my wife still has to drive it and at the end of the day its just a family wagon . I also had to choose a mechanic to remove and install the clutch as Jim only builds clutches. That task went to Robin at Perfourmance in Slacks Creek mainly because I guy I work with sings their praises regularly and even Jim Berry reckoned they were good.

I dropped it off on Tuesday morning hoping to get it back today wishful thinking it turns out. They pulled the clutch out and not one of the mechanics had seen a clutch like that come out of a Subaru then they took the clutch to Jim Berry and guess what he said?? "Whats that out of?" Again someone else who had never seen a clutch like this before.

Robin will be speaking to Jim on Monday so it'll be interesting to hear what he has to say about the weird clutch (their words)!!

[teflon]

That's interesting Q! Hope they work it out for you and that it doesn't cost any more than you were originally quoted ... either way, I'm sure you'll be happy to get it back without a slipping clutch. Keep us posted for sure!

[CJ1177]

Any chance of pics of your old setup Q for future reference along with your cars details like build date & engine size etc

[Q]

Any chance of pics of your old setup Q for future reference along with your cars details like build date & engine size etc

Just looked at the photo's of your car and your car is the same as mine including the colour (MY05 Atlantic Blue build date Jan 05 I think)so there's a good chance your clutch is the same but as Subaru seems to have used a different clutch in every MY05 Liberty is may not be