musclecar64
New Member
North Florida Chapter Member
Posts: 8
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Post by musclecar64 on Dec 3, 2011 8:11:16 GMT -5
My 94 corolla is a daily driver. No engine mods. I had the clutch replaced about 5 months ago at a small local shop. Financially there were two options, them, or a local shadetree mechanic for a little less (whom I've done business with since and decided he's probably smarter than the guys at the shop). The owner of the shop implied a warranty when I asked him a few "what if" scenario questions. Well I have it done there for 730 (clutch kit, pilot bearing, master and slave). It starts deterioating rapidly after a few weeks. I took it to him after about 2 months to look at it and they say "we couldn't find anything wrong" when the new clutch already feels like its half gone. Here I am 3 months later (I've barely driven it for the last month it feels that bad). I have no money for another clutch replacement, and I lost my job (pizza hut) being without a car. Is there any kind of action I can take agianst him legally or through the state? I just can't believe shady ass people like that stay in business. A new clutch about to fail in less than 10,000 (liberal estimate) miles is rediculous. I know todays warranties are loose and practically nil nowadays, but is there anything that can be done?
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Post by Rinconrolla on Dec 3, 2011 8:39:28 GMT -5
Here are some questions cause something doesnt sound correct .
1. Have you physically seen the clutch deterioating ?
2. What is the car doing to make you think it's the clutch ?
3. Is it slipping ? Bogging ? Burning ?
4. Does the pedal grab to low ? Does the pedal grab to high ?
5. Have you checked your fluid ?
Sounds more like you can have a clogged catalitic convertor if it is bogging . Can't see a repetable place lying . But I can be wrong ..
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musclecar64
New Member
North Florida Chapter Member
Posts: 8
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Post by musclecar64 on Dec 3, 2011 9:44:31 GMT -5
It's slipping way more than it did when I had it replaced. Just won't clamp. I have to baby it or else it slips on just about every shift. "engages" at nearly the top of pedal travel (was originally nearly bottom of travel). The clutch kit they used was from adance auto (possibly a perfection clutch reman)
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musclecar64
New Member
North Florida Chapter Member
Posts: 8
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Post by musclecar64 on Dec 3, 2011 9:47:04 GMT -5
And I put in a brand new magnaflow cat with my custom exhaust about a year ago, just saying haha Also there was a fluid loss less than a month after having it done, but they "clouldn't find any leaks or hydrualic issues" when I brought it to their attention.
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Post by Rinconrolla on Dec 3, 2011 11:03:19 GMT -5
Yea that does sound shady now , Usally you want the pedal to engange at the bottom as you raise your pedal up , Maybe they didnt cut the fly wheel , It might be shinny or have grease or oil on it either way clutch is ruined. Pressure plate could be worn out and they didnt put the new one in .
You definitly need to get in there and see for yourself unless its the wrong clutch , I have seen where people dont compare it to the one they take off and just figure oh well its just a little smaller but it fits . So when the mechanic checked it out he just seen a new clutch and said oh its ok and not realizing its the wrong clutch .
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musclecar64
New Member
North Florida Chapter Member
Posts: 8
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Post by musclecar64 on Dec 3, 2011 11:17:35 GMT -5
Forgot to mention they were supposed to put a new flywheel in because I knew the car had had a clutch done before. I'm just totally stumped, it wore out so fast. I'm thinking maybe just a cheaply made (or remanufactured) disk and pressure plate or release bearing. From now on I think I'm going with exedy, but its too late at this point. I'm out $730 and a vehicle :/. Funny thing too was that he offered a better deal for cash (which I did). It was tax free that way. Looking back that should've been a sign to me that he's trying to hide certain things. And unfortunately I have no place to work on it since I live in a condo/aprtment complex. I thought about doing it myself in the first place, but I didn't know where to begin since I know nothing about pulling a transmission.
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Post by Rinconrolla on Dec 3, 2011 11:23:03 GMT -5
Do you have a reciept ? cause you can find your local Better Bussiness Bueara over the internet and file a complaint www.bbb.org/ I stock clutch is just stock cant really go any cheaper then that , Possible clutch has a defect and they just dont want to deal with the exchange but I definitly hit up the BBB .
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musclecar64
New Member
North Florida Chapter Member
Posts: 8
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Post by musclecar64 on Dec 3, 2011 11:42:39 GMT -5
I appreciate the advice! I'll have to get a copy from them, but think that's the way I'm gonna have to go. If they deny giving me another copy of the reciept, I guess the next step would be the state attorney general lol. That'd probably get me somewhere especially mentioning the tax thing. I hate to seem belligerent, but I paid a lot of money for nothing in the long run ya know? Who's supposed to be accountable, no one?
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