Noisy Clutch

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The clutch on my Ford Focus CMax has started making a weird rattling noise in the first inch of movement, before it gets to biting point. Not noticeable other than when coming in / out of neutral and can't really feel it in the pedal.

Initial thoughts are that it's probably the throwout bearing? Current plan is to not worry about it until other symptoms appear, as it's still shifting absolutely fine and at 122K I can't grumble too much if it needs a new clutch / DMF.

Any thoughts on replacing the DMF with the cheaper solid flywheel come replacement time? I'm guessing with a diesel and no real need to up performance in the slightest, I'm better off sticking with the DMF, but getting OEM parts and a local garage rather than a dealership to do it.
 
nilagin said:
Stick with a dmf. It's there to protect your crankshaft and gearbox.
Click to expand...

Yeah, as I thought.

Typical that it starts to make a noise at the same time I'm coming up to replacing the timing belts and water pump as well! Runs well though
 
Ford generally use LUK as a manufacturer for their clutches and dmf's, it's worth trying reputable ebay sellers or even euro car parts to see if you can get the parts cheaper than just going to a Ford dealer. One to avoid is an ebay seller Transit Parts UK that sell clutches and flywheels for various other cars and I have seen complaints on various forums about questionable quality of parts and poor customer service as a result of complaints.
 
nilagin said:
Ford generally use LUK as a manufacturer for their clutches and dmf's, it's worth trying reputable ebay sellers or even euro car parts to see if you can get the parts cheaper than just going to a Ford dealer. One to avoid is an ebay seller Transit Parts UK that sell clutches and flywheels for various other cars and I have seen complaints on various forums about questionable quality of parts and poor customer service as a result of complaints.
Click to expand...

Good to know :)

Thanks!
 
I did a solid flywheel conversion on my Octavia at 93K, and it is now at 158K without any problems. It pulls better, is much easier to engage and there is no vibration.
 
KitsuneAndy said:
Yeah, as I thought.

Typical that it starts to make a noise at the same time I'm coming up to replacing the timing belts and water pump as well! Runs well though
Click to expand...
My Focus did the same thing about the same mileage, also took a bit longer to start, apparently that is also a sign the dmf is on it's way out.
The dpf unit apparently is due about the same, built in obsolescence?
I was offered a good trade-in so replaced rather than repaired.
Matt
 
FWIW

On a Subaru legacy I had as a company car a few years back the clutch started to get a bit noisy but nothing that seemed too much of a concern but then a tad of judder added into the situation that with in days ended up with a catastrophic failure of the DMF mechanism.

It literally "blew up" taking the flywheel, Clutch components, housing cracked & with a piece missing where a flying part smashed through. A real mess ! :(

Thankfully because it was regularly serviced by an authorised Subaru agent they agreed without argument to an agreed shared settlement for the repairs........but to save costs and because of the mileage & age of car that a solid flywheel would be a suitable replacement.
 
MatBin said:
My Focus did the same thing about the same mileage, also took a bit longer to start, apparently that is also a sign the dmf is on it's way out.
The dpf unit apparently is due about the same, built in obsolescence?
I was offered a good trade-in so replaced rather than repaired.
Matt
Click to expand...

Mine still starts perfectly. Not even sure if mine has a DPF or not? 57 plate 2.0 TDCI

Everything else works fine, so I'll get some quotes to get it done I think.
 
andy700 said:
Many Skoda dealers are offering a solid flywheel replacement when the DMF goes, but obviously a compatible clutch will have to be fitted at the same time.

https://www.briskoda.net/forums/top...19tdi-official-skoda-stance-and-part-numbers/

I also know that a company called Autolusso, offer a solid flywheel/clutch conversion for the Alfa/Fiat 1.9 JTD engined cars.
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Yeah I'll get the clutch done at the same time anyway, might as well, since the additional cost is minimal vs having to replace the clutch at a later date.
 
Box Brownie said:
FWIW

On a Subaru legacy I had as a company car a few years back the clutch started to get a bit noisy but nothing that seemed too much of a concern but then a tad of judder added into the situation that with in days ended up with a catastrophic failure of the DMF mechanism.

It literally "blew up" taking the flywheel, Clutch components, housing cracked & with a piece missing where a flying part smashed through. A real mess ! :(

Thankfully because it was regularly serviced by an authorised Subaru agent they agreed without argument to an agreed shared settlement for the repairs........but to save costs and because of the mileage & age of car that a solid flywheel would be a suitable replacement.
Click to expand...

Worth bearing in mind then...

Mine's only a little noisy in that first inch of movement, you can feel a vibration in the pedal, but as soon as it hits biting point it's fine and there's no judder at all. I'm going to look at getting it replaced later this year I think, but not going to worry too much unless other symptoms appear I don't think.

I think if it was the DMF, it'd be noisier even idling? Whereas this definitely seems something linked to the clutch pedal
 
andy700 said:
Many Skoda dealers are offering a solid flywheel replacement when the DMF goes, but obviously a compatible clutch will have to be fitted at the same time.

https://www.briskoda.net/forums/top...19tdi-official-skoda-stance-and-part-numbers/

I also know that a company called Autolusso, offer a solid flywheel/clutch conversion for the Alfa/Fiat 1.9 JTD engined cars.
Click to expand...
It never became clear who the car manufacturer was but a few years back a car manufacturer was going to take a dealer to court for fitting smf's instead of dmf's which had resulted in damage to customers engines and gearboxes.
Now I know in light of the recent VAG emissions cheating, that VAG will have skimped on some of there engine testing and development, but the fact that the manufacturer has found a need to fit a dmf for a particular engines installation, then it is safer to continue to use a dmf, rather than chance taking the smf route.
 
KitsuneAndy said:
Mine still starts perfectly. Not even sure if mine has a DPF or not? 57 plate 2.0 TDCI

Everything else works fine, so I'll get some quotes to get it done I think.
Click to expand...
Should have, mine did.
 
nilagin said:
Ford generally use LUK as a manufacturer for their clutches and dmf's, it's worth trying reputable ebay sellers or even euro car parts to see if you can get the parts cheaper than just going to a Ford dealer. One to avoid is an ebay seller Transit Parts UK that sell clutches and flywheels for various other cars and I have seen complaints on various forums about questionable quality of parts and poor customer service as a result of complaints.
Click to expand...

I can pick up the LUK clutch kit and DMF for £450 and a local transmission specialist will do the job for £250 labour. So just going to get it done for that price. Thanks for the tip re manufacturer. The transmission guy requested I bought LUK too
 
KitsuneAndy said:
I can pick up the LUK clutch kit and DMF for £450 and a local transmission specialist will do the job for £250 labour. So just going to get it done for that price. Thanks for the tip re manufacturer. The transmission guy requested I bought LUK too
Click to expand...
Looks a very good price. DMF's can cost over £500 alone.
 
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