Series 1, VR V6 clutch and thrust bearing issues

[sticksicks]

Recently I had to have my clutch replaced in under two years due to a badly worn PLASTIC! (censoredthrust bearing carrier.
Had it replaced by a steel after market one.
Does anybody here know more about this kind of dodgeyness by GM?

[Fenix_Longbow]

Were they OEM? Personally i always go to my autopro store and i usually get a heavy duty organic clutch, pressure plate, with usually a timken thrust bearing and a new spigot bearing... I have never done one in a holden but i cant see it as being any different to that of any of the RB, SR, 4AG and 4G series engines...

[sticksicks]

All OEM including plastic'ness around thrust bearing. It's the part that connects the bearing to the throw out fork, connected to the clutch cable...if I've got it right :\

[Andrew426]

Mines plastic too, it doesnt bother me.
I doubt the fault in yours was purely because the release bearing housing was plastic, it was probably a seized bearing or inproperly lubricated snout

[Fenix_Longbow]

With a lot of the bearings these days i have found that you need to take one of the seals off and actually put some more bearing grease inside it cause the ones these days have SFA in them... I use chainsaw lube for the bearing at the end of the bar, its light blue smells nice but the push applicator lets you put in small amounts very easily while being precise.

Maybe its just me but anything that has plastic or in this case would be nylon, i wouldnt consider it. Over engineer it maybe but at least you know its going to last and cop a good thrashing. Sometimes it cant be helped i know but if there is the alternative, make it bigger, better and stronger.

[sticksicks]

Thanks for responding.
I guess I'm wondering why the garage didn't replace a potentially dodgey part the LAST time I had a clutch job,when I explicitly said "please replace anything else in there you think needs it.", which may well have saved me this headache. Who knows.
So I was sounding out whether it was common knowledge and contemplating how to make a constructive complaint to garage.
Was also going to suggest that if ever someone like your mechanic or the roadside assist mob' says "just use the starter motor to move the car" when there is clutch probs and a plastic-nylon "release bearing housing", tell em to call a tow truck and maybe to try another career. I suspect such advice to me has contributed to this expensive learning gutter I am surfing painfully :| Farken cars!

Incidentally, I don't drop the clutch or do wheelies. Only my tyres, brakes and suspension get thrashed )

[Andrew426]

Yeah the release bearing should always be replaced with the clutch, thats probably why it wore out - who knows how long its been on there?

[markovr]

Sorry for the thread hijack but the title brings back a few memories.
Ive always had issues with my t5 vr...a shuddering drama on take up ..just after replacing a worn out slipping clutch..never got my head around whats wrong but i have a few theories.
Plastic throwout bearing carrier on worn out bearing retainer = uneven pressures on pressure plate fingers and uneven take up???....I have a new steel thrust carrier and new bearing retainer to put on and I hope this will get on top of these woes. Noticed the new metal carrier from mal wood isnt captured on the throwout fork...that is it is free to spin on the fork when the plastic one has it boxed in.....he assured me it would be alright.
Another theory is dodgy material on the now non asbestos clutch plate ..its a exedy standard one which uses a daiko clutch plate....what is a organic clutch plate?

[Fenix_Longbow]

The standard exedy sort you have is the organic type. Then you go into your sintered, brass button etc... I used mostly exedy heavy duty which is just a kit that has a higher rated pressure plate.

Did you get your flywheel machined when you changed it? This is an often highly over looked part of doing a clutch job and in my books is one of the most important.

The flywheel stores all the rotational inertia (torque) and if this surface isnt perfectly flat, can lead to the kind of probs you are stating...

If i have missed something please fill in or correct me... Cant think properly atm

[sticksicks]

Have had simlilar conversation with another mech, and I can't say if the flywheel has actually been machined, I sodding hope so!