Hey all,

Recently after gear changes, clutch pedal has been rough/rubbery. Depressing and releasing several times (out of gear) makes it go back to normal. Zero slipping of clutch in any gear.

Took the car to Subaru last week, went for a drive and the head mechanic suggested it was either a worn clutch fork or a failed throwout bearing. Couldn't fit me in due to Christmas/NYE and advised would be okay to drive until today when it was booked in.

Got a call from them to say the clutch and pressure plate were burnt and pretty much gone. Car only has 60,000kms on it, and not abused - has just had it's first replacement tyres. Car is always warmed up before being driven remotely hard. Spoke to Subaru Australia customer relations and dealer, both denied warranty as clutch is apparently a 'wear item'.

I have previously owned manual cars and clutches were replaced at 150-200k+ kms and they were noticeably slipping. Never heard of a non-tracked or drag car going this early, and am pretty disappointed in Subaru's attitude towards it.

So two questions:
1. Has anyone had any similar experiences on this model (11-13) and been successful in getting it taken care of under warranty? Any tips, tricks or links to similar problems - have searched various forums and can find USA issues but they have a different warranty scheme.

2. Does anyone know if a worn throwout bearing or clutch fork would cause the clutch to prematurely wear out? Exedy seemed to think so but this was unofficial advice. Links or similar experiences would be ideal.

Thanks in advance,

Grrilla

Have you owned it from new? Do you sit at the lights holding your position by holding the clutch at bite point?

Should have gone to Stechnic for a clutch. Would cost alot less.

Also no clutches are covered by warranty. Thats like putting a warranty on tyres or brake pads.


Edit: you're in NSW. Should have gone to a subaru specialist workshop as they will be cheaper that subaru.

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Warranty on clutches are a very grey area with any manufacturer, much the same as brakes/tyres.
only time that it will be covered is if there is a component failure (fingers on pressure plate fail etc.)

Thanks for the responses. Have not had anything done as yet - the car is still in pieces in the dealer workshop as I felt $1650 + labour was a gigantic ripoff. The dealer I bought it from (different to where it was taken) is contacting the regional service and warranty manager to find out if there's anything he can do about it as they haven't experienced a clutch going that early.

Should have known better than to take it to the local dealer - they stuffed up a previous warranty issue too that should have been simple to fix, so I'm not entirely confident in their diagnosis.

If they refuse to contribute anything I have a workshop I trust to take it to and I'll source my own clutch.

FWIW I do not ride the clutch on hills or in traffic. I do have a feeling the hillstart feature has contributed to this as I always have to rev it more than I would without the feature to get it to disengage without stalling.

$1650 is outrageous for parts only pricing!

Not saying I agree with it but $1,650 in parts sounds about right 'isn't the factory clutch around $1,200 retail, or was the $1,650 just for the clutch?'.

For what Subaru has quoted you in parts alone you should be able to get something pretty decent supplied and fitted.

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[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

he was quote $1650 + Labour....
you should be able to drive in, supply, fitted and flywheel machined for that price!

If you go with an aftermarket option you should be able to drive in, supply, fit, and have flywheel machined for around $1200-$1300.

I was quoted a similar price for an OEM clutch, not a cheap way to go.

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MY08 WRX 325hp/456nm/18psi E85

Have been told that it's not unusual for the clutches in the MY08+ to die around that many kms...

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[I]trolololol[/I]

I am very fortunate to have a performance car specialist at my local Midas (of all places), as well as access to Michael South Engineering - he is one of the leading Subaru performance gurus on the east coast. Both have quoted around $1300 including all parts and labour to replace the clutch, pressure plate and machine the flywheel. Apparently (as advised by Subaru, Midas and MSE) it is almost a full day's work to remove and replace, as the intercooler + piping, turbo and a section of the exhaust needs to come out to get the transmission out!

I have just received a phone call from Subaru Australia (after approaching their public relations manager directly) and it's looking like they may be offering a more positive resolution, I have agreed for them to look further into it and will know by tomorrow morning if it's acceptable. I apologise for being slightly cryptic but I don't want to prejudice anything at this point.

I really appreciate the information and input in the posts above and will hopefully have good news tomorrow.