Just had my Land Rover Freelander Td4 Sport Premium (55 plate) recovered from North Wales. Basically, it refused to go into gear when the engine was running. Managed to get into gear by turning the engine off, pressing the clutch down, putting into gear, then re-starting the engine. After this the gears appeared to be working okay. But then as I started to pull away there was a judder and a burning smell. Called Land Rover assistance who told me not to drive the car. The car was recovered, brought back to Manchester and taken into the local dealership.

Then I got a call to say it looked like the clutch needed replacing but it probably wouldn't be covered under the warranty. I bought this car this car 21 months ago from the same dealership, with 15k on the clock. Since then I have done a further 15k miles, never revved the engine over 4000 rpm, never towed anything and always driven carefully. When I asked why the clutch would go so soon they told me it was probably down to my driving style! I then contacted Land Rover themselves. The attitude was unbelievable. I was told that a clutch could go after 1000 miles due to 'wear and tear', and wouldn't be covered by the warranty.

Now they're telling me it may also need a new fly wheel and want me to fork out well over one thousand pound. The battle continues...

I must say - if the clutches go so soon, and the warranty isn't worth the paper it's written on, then do I really want to buy another Land Rover (was planning to upgrade to a Freelander 2 within the next few months).

TBH, and hoping not to appear to sound harsh, BUT a clutch IS a wear and tear item, same as a set of tyres or brake pads and therefore wouldnt be covered by any manufacturers warranty, unless defective parts were found! the flywheel probably wont need replacing, BUT dealers and the likes will do to be on the safe side, as if they replaced the clutch to find that it did need replacing, you wouldnt be a happy bunny!

You have burnt the clutch plate by the sounds of it. Heavy springs on the Td4 clutch, the judder indicates warpage from the overheating. Forget the FL2, the FL1 Td4 is as good as it gets.

question !
Northen Irelander, say i were to maybe warp my clutch plate, maybe due to, i dont know, driving it not on a road, with a stupidly heavey trailer in mud etc...... anyway, say i were to get heavy clutch smoke, then a juddering clutch everytime i pull away for the last 3 weeks, since the afore mentioned possible senario. Would the clutch recover, as the plate flattens out?

just asking

Universally_Challenged said:

question !
Northen Irelander, say i were to maybe warp my clutch plate, maybe due to, i dont know, driving it not on a road, with a stupidly heavey trailer in mud etc...... anyway, say i were to get heavy clutch smoke, then a juddering clutch everytime i pull away for the last 3 weeks, since the afore mentioned possible senario. Would the clutch recover, as the plate flattens out?

just asking

Click to expand...

absolutely no fooking bolloxing chance whatsoever..:doh: :doh: Oh and you win the award for the most apt username!!

My clutch lasted 54000 miles before going. Cost 550 to replace the clutch, slave and master cylinder.

pete.

Ooooooo. That makes me feel betterer - just been quoted £487 to change the clutch on my slitty - a 6 hour job , parently.
So much for em being more expensive! :behindsofa:

Universally_Challenged said:

question !
Northen Irelander, say i were to maybe warp my clutch plate, maybe due to, i dont know, driving it not on a road, with a stupidly heavey trailer in mud etc...... anyway, say i were to get heavy clutch smoke, then a juddering clutch everytime i pull away for the last 3 weeks, since the afore mentioned possible senario. Would the clutch recover, as the plate flattens out?

just asking

Click to expand...

Afraid not UC, has your clutch been juddering all this time, it was July 08 when I last posted.

I'd just learn to live with the judder until clutch is due for change

whats on. i can live with it no problems, it just seems to be getting better that all. oh, thats if i had been stupid enough to do what i said someone may be able to do in the first palce.