I'm desperately after some friendly and professional help. I bought a clutch kit from a motor factor last week, got it fitted by my mechanic on the weekend and it seems as if the clutch kit is fault. Car is jerky in the first and reverse gear. My mechanic has told me to contact the motor factor and get them to replace the clutch kit as well as pay me for labour (because obviously mechanic is going to charge me for re-doing the work). I went back to the motor factor this morning and as expected they've put all the blame on the mechanic. Then after some talking they said to me I buy a new clutch from them (pay for it obviously) and then they'll send the one that's in my car now to the manufacturer and if its faulty they'll pay me labour. Now I want to know what are the chances of them being honest about it, I mean both the manufacturer and the motor factor? What're my options now? I'm in no man's land right now and really need some advise from you guys.
{As you've made an allegation against the motor factor further down, I've removed their name and generalised it so as to no longer name & shame them. I would be grateful that you no longer mention them by name in this thread. Thank you - DD}
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You need an independent engineer's report and take it from there.
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But who'll be playing for independent engineer?
This all saga is crazy. The fault either lies with the clutch kit or the fitting but its me who's suffereing.
My mechanic suggested, I should get another clutch kit and if that works fine it'll simply prove that the current clutch is faulty but the motor factor won't listen to this!
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"But who'll be playing for independent engineer?"
You - in the first instance. Without a report you are in a hopeless situation - but you proabaly don't want to be reminded of that :-(
When you know who is at fault then you can try and claim the expense off them.
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"My mechanic suggested, I should get another clutch kit and if that works fine it'll simply prove that the current clutch is faulty"
Or it proves the mechanic fitted the clutch incorrectly. He might get it right next time. Can see where the parts people are coming from.
Hope you saved lots doing it this way instead of going to someone to buy a a clutch including fitting - it makes it all too easy for either party to blame the other.
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Really sorry about your trouble.
But the reality is that when you supply a part to a garage then you warranty that part yourself.
Thats the risk when you try to make a saving if thats the case here - sorry if its not.
The reason garage charges you more is that they are warrantying the whole job.
Yes, the supplier is liable if the part as supplied is faulty, but the burden of proof is on you as go-between the mechanic and supplier.
The supplier seems to be acting very honestly with you.
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To be honest my gut feeling is, the clutch is faulty, the reason being because its cheap but then if its crap why are the motor factor selling it? I know the mechanic really well and he's got plenty of years of experience behind him so I can't see him fitting it incorrectly.
Could anyone point out the possible causes of car being jerky in the first and reverse gear?
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There ius nothing wrong with the motor factor it is possible the unit was faulty and they will stand by there word it will be the supplier who eventually pays.My feeling is there is another problem like its not been fitted properly or the flywheel is faulty.
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What are the chances of a clutch kit being faulty?
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The OP says the car is 'jerky in first and reverse gear'. I take this to mean that the clutch judders on initial drive takeup. One of the more likely causes of this is contamination of the friction and/or driven plate by grease (too much on the splines, carelessness with greasy fingers). A lot of us have been there.
Ask your mechanic to take it apart and clean the plates, then put it back together properly.
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If the contamination isn't too bad, a bit of creative clutch abuse may burn it off and improve the situation.
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Personally I don't go for grease/dirt. Simple misalignement is all that is needed.
Buying parts and supplying to a garage means the chain of blame is split and you will always be screwed...
madf
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I'm not doubting you madf, but how can a clutch work at all if it's 'misaligned'? If the holes aren't lined up properly the gearbox input shaft won't go through them. Once it has been assembled it has to stay centred. I can only imagine misalignment in the event of a bent bellhousing or something like that - hardly likely with a professional mechanic.
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