Has anybody replaced the clutch on the Crossfire?

I have had mine for just 1 year and last weekend it got stuck. So I couldn't drive anymore. Towed my crossfire to the dealer and after a diagnostic they said, it was burnt.
They said it is because of the way I drive, but I am confused, is this possible in a year?
Why didn't it stop working before so I could change the part that becomes used and not all of it?
Anyway its burnt now and they said there's no warranty and its about $3,000 USD.

 

yeah mine went after 600 miles. i was stuck on 95 they said, i was doing burnouts. f'n dealership. i tried to look into upgrades but no ones any help! try looking for slk 320 clutch upgrades.

 

You said the clutch is stuck...is the clutch stuck (as in the pedal won't return from the floor) or is it slipping (engine revs up but car doesn't move when you are in gear, foot off the pedal? Please be clear on this point. I have seen the rod that acts on the pressure plate wear through the pressure plate (on other types of cars) when the trans alignment is off. In this case, the pedal doesn't return from the floor. I have also seen linkage problems that caused the clutch to not engage or release properly.

Though it is unusual for a clutch to wear down in a year, if you beat on it (let it slip a lot), it can. However, if the wear is the result of a quality problem (assembly issue), then you'll get it fixed free. You'll just need to make sure the mechanics inspect other components in the linkage and inside of the trans for unusual wear. Whether it is a warranty concern or early maintenance due to abuse, the mechanics will get paid regardless.

Chrysler will pay them for their work if it is a warranty concern. You'll pay them if it is due to abuse. Therefore, I would be confident that they are going to be ethical with you when they try to determine the cause. Truthfully, it is very rare to have a major failure like this in a new car due to quality, so the odds are stacked against you. 99.9% of the time, clutch failure in a new car is the fault of the owner.

If it were me, I would do the clutch myself in my driveway. Usually clutch parts are cheap (if you buy them from the aftermarket), and it's not as hard as it seems in most RWD vehicles. It just takes time. After having done FWD clutches several times, it might even be a refreshing change!

 

Take em' to court!

 

Thank you, I will reply the requested information.
I was driving fast and when I stepped on the clutch to shift, it got stuck so I used the brake until I stopped completely and turned it off.
Then the clutch was again in its normal position (I think I helped a little bit), and I tried to use it to turn the car on but it wasn't possible. When stepping on the clutch, it was easy to step on (like normal) in the beginning but at the end part it would be really hard to press (not normal).
So since I couldn't turn on the car, I had to tow it back home.
The dealer made a diagnostic without getting inside the trans, said it was burn out and that I'd have to pay $3,000 USD to get it fixed as it is not on warranty.
But said that if I wanted them to get the trans out and get in detail, I'd have to pay $200 USD for the diagnostic and by that they could find out for sure if it is or not on warranty.
So I authorized that extra diagnostic and will find out tomorrow.
Any recommendation on where to buy the clutch, I don't have the knowledge on anything related like brands & prices, etc. Should it be aftermarket or not?
Cheers!

 

http://www.specclutch.com

Always here to help!!! Look at the "Stage 3+" if you race the car... If not, just replace it with the OEM and save some money...

 

Something smells bad here - I think your dealer is full of crap. If he took it apart and made that determination it would be one thing, but to "diagnose" the problem without pulling it - that's BS.

I've been driving manual trannys for 35 years and never had a clutch go - I'd be ready to fight them.

 

$3,000 for a clutch job? Wow, the labor must be unreal. I'm in a business where we sell performance and stock clutches. $3,000 gets you one heck of a clutch.
Shop around for prices.

 

yeah i looked at the comp bill for mine at the dealership it was about $650 for the clutch pressure plate and labor they covered it since the car only had 600 miles on it! try looking at a mopar store or replacement parts online you can usual get a clutch alot cheaper.

 

For what its worth...
I was at the service dept. with my car in Oct of '04 & noticed a few Crossfires in the bays. I asked why so many of them where there (some with paper plates). The service guy said they were all there for clutches!

Have you gone on the Chrysler web site to see if there are any recalls?

 

HID 6000k lowlights & foglights
Rear proximity sensor
Rear european tail light
CTD-Germany A/C chrome rings, door pin set, door **** surrounds & clear front side markers
Original german plate
Custom emblems

THIS IS THE STUFF that ruined you clutch!!! just kidding.
How many miles do you have?

I would consider taking it to a local Trans only shop and pay to get there take on it if the dealer won’t cover it. Then you have a professional opinion to fight them with.
Unless the independent Trans shop tells you the same thing...
Good luck.

 

Better yet, take it to a different dealer, ie... MERCEDES

 

LOL. There is a guy here at my office that has a Mercedes ML320, and every time the keyless entry transmitter in his key fob dies, it costs $90 to reprogram. I think it's under warranty, too. At least they don't assume you are rich and therefore willing to pay more than market price at a Chrysler dealer.

 

Hey everybody,

Thanks for your comments. I actually checked the recalls and found none related and thought about the Mercedes dealer as when I saw the clutch part of course it had the Mercedes logo on it.

But what I did was the following:
1.- My cousin has changed clutch 3 times already and said he did not have to change it all. So I asked the dealer if anything could be fixed After evaluating they said, we could fix a part that costs aprox $1,200 USD and would not be a problem. Of course, I think they knew that from the beginning!
2.- I called all the dealers to compare prices, and found out mine was more expensive so, I got an extra discount.
3.- I have contacts in an insurance company, so they tried to get the parts but found out you can't buy them if its not from the dealer as nobody has those parts for the Crossfire. They have to be ordered from U.S. which takes about 15-20 days. But they got a better price from one dealer!
4.- Called my dealer again and said, I had still a better price from a dealer, mentioned all the details and got another discount.
5.- Talked to the service manager for an extra discount.

At the end, its $1,400 USD (still a lot for me) so, I authorized as that's my best option and won't have my car for a looong time!

Thanks for your help!

 

$1,400 is still better then $3,000. I'm glad you got them down over half the original price. I had not noticed that you are in Mexico City. It's hard getting parts here even in the U.S.

 

Dude,
Burnt or not burnt. Your clutch should be covered by the comprehensive warranty. DO NOT GIVE IN. Fight the dealer, asked another one for opinion. Then call Chrysler about it. Don't pay for it!

 

yeah i didn't pay for mine. well in contracts, wear items aren't covered. like the evo the clutch goes quick, but it only took me 3 days to get my car fixed and have the part ordered. i got a rent a car 300c, hehe and lets just say, i took my frustration out on that thing! didn't know you couldn't drop a slap stick haha! ok ok, i'm sorry but they deserved it.

 

Actually, clutches and brakes are usually considered wear items, and as such, do not have the same kind of warranty coverage. I think for most cars is 12,000 miles or a year for both. But again, the warranty only covers items that are deemed to be manufacturer defects. If the reason for anything failing is proven to be abuse, then its not covered. At the very least, you can ask them for a hardcopy report detailing how they concluded it was caused by abuse and not normal wear. But again, these guys get paid anyways, so I don't think they have any interest in screwing you over. Recommend taking it to another Chrysler dealer across town.

 

Actually when I spoke to the service manager, he said the same thing, if its covered by warranty the dealer doesn't spend money and the mechanics get paid anyway (meaning there's no benefit on them for charging me). But that this time it was because of the way I drive (wear), so it wasn't covered and they were gonna help me out with a discount.
I already approved the budget as I couldn't get better with other dealer but its a good idea to get a detailed written report on how they determined it.
About the rent, did you get the rent for free? I have a service contract which I paid additionally. And it says that my the car is more than 8 hours getting fixed or if its because the parts were ordered, I get a free rent car from the dealer (just for max 3 days), but they say I could only get it if it was on warranty which I am still fighting as I haven´t found that on my contract!

 

...I would assume that if its not Chrysler's fault, they will not pay for your rental, either. However, your dealer sounds willing to work with you, so maybe they can help you get a rental at a discount.