How long from the clutch on my TD5?

My TD5 Disco (2003) has done 96,000 miles. I thought the clutch was going but have just spent an enjoyable afternoon bleeding the system with no2 son and it feels good as new!!! Makes me think though has anybody else had problems with air in the clutch system and how long should the clutch last??? I don't relish the thought of getting the box out but will not trust anybody else to do the job as the Landy world is full of cowboys!

I thought I had clutch problems at around 50,000 miles but like you, bled the clutch and its been fine ever since (about 2 years ago now)

Hi All,

My Disco has clocked 93k on the original clutch, no probs so far, and a mate of mine has a Disco 2 TD5 with 196k on the clock, still on the original plate, although to be fair his drives mostly motorway miles, so the clutch doesn't get used that much - !!

If you are very gentle with a clutch like the biggies fitted to LandRovers, they can last the life of the car. Low revs, and no slipping .... makes them last for a long time.

I love watching people holding their cars on hills using the clutch. They think it's clever. My car has a handbrake for that.

By the way, when I park my car here, I don't set the handbrake. In gear, on the flat, brake off. Saves the links and stuff from stretching.

CharlesY

CharlesY said:

If you are very gentle with a clutch like the biggies fitted to LandRovers, they can last the life of the car. Low revs, and no slipping .... makes them last for a long time.

I love watching people holding their cars on hills using the clutch. They think it's clever. My car has a handbrake for that.

By the way, when I park my car here, I don't set the handbrake. In gear, on the flat, brake off. Saves the links and stuff from stretching.

CharlesY

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Yep total agree, handbrake is for doing just that !!

Strangley whilst out in a car (NOT my Disco) my eldest daughter will sit at junctions and traffic lights with her foot on the clutch, and the car in 1st gear !!! - when I 'dared' to ask why, and suggested that it was bad practice, she retorted that she had been taught that method by her instructor (what did I know, just being a advanced driver with over 30 years and approx 800,000 miles under my belt) with only 5 years not in a Landrover (I realised the error of my ways)

I explained that it wears out the clutch thrust bearing, and is not got because if her foot slipped off the pedal the car would lurch forward, possible into the back of the one in front !!

I may as well have been trying to explain how to split the atom - and I won't repeat the reply !!!!!

I think it should be part of the driving training etc to teach a basic understanding of how a car works, and to have some sympathy for the components - I guess that is a whole different debate !!

I guess I'll never change now, and will continue to drive with consideration for my LR, with an ear to the engine and all the other parts that allow it to be almost 'alive' still be plodding along into it's 2nd 100k mileage only having replaced 1 set of tyres and 1 set of brake pads so far !!

Steve

Yes, I am 6 years and 118k miles from new, and still on the original clutch. Apparently they're expensive to renew as well (espcially of you change the thrust bearrings etc at the same time...)

MartinK said:

Yes, I am 6 years and 118k miles from new, and still on the original clutch. Apparently they're expensive to renew as well (espcially of you change the thrust bearrings etc at the same time...)

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There not too expensive, especially if you can do yourself, around £100ish plus a mucky weekend and a few bruised knuckles !

disco_steve said:

Yep total agree, handbrake is for doing just that !!

Strangley whilst out in a car (NOT my Disco) my eldest daughter will sit at junctions and traffic lights with her foot on the clutch, and the car in 1st gear !!! - when I 'dared' to ask why, and suggested that it was bad practice, she retorted that she had been taught that method by her instructor (what did I know, just being a advanced driver with over 30 years and approx 800,000 miles under my belt) with only 5 years not in a Landrover (I realised the error of my ways)

I explained that it wears out the clutch thrust bearing, and is not got because if her foot slipped off the pedal the car would lurch forward, possible into the back of the one in front !!

I may as well have been trying to explain how to split the atom - and I won't repeat the reply !!!!!

I think it should be part of the driving training etc to teach a basic understanding of how a car works, and to have some sympathy for the components - I guess that is a whole different debate !!

I guess I'll never change now, and will continue to drive with consideration for my LR, with an ear to the engine and all the other parts that allow it to be almost 'alive' still be plodding along into it's 2nd 100k mileage only having replaced 1 set of tyres and 1 set of brake pads so far !!

Steve

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When I started learning to drive in the early 80's my uncle always told me not to sit with my foot on the clutch, explaining the thrust bearing wear problem, then when I went for lessons from an instructor I was told to leave the car in gear at a junction with my foot on the clutch and that all that stuff on clutch bearing wear was old fashioned.

Hmm maybe so, but since passing my test I have never sat with my foot on the clutch and totally agree with what you say.

Mantamad said:

When I started learning to drive in the early 80's my uncle always told me not to sit with my foot on the clutch, explaining the thrust bearing wear problem, then when I went for lessons from an instructor I was told to leave the car in gear at a junction with my foot on the clutch and that all that stuff on clutch bearing wear was old fashioned.

Hmm maybe so, but since passing my test I have never sat with my foot on the clutch and totally agree with what you say.

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Yep, all very well for an instructor to say that - they are not the one who has to fork out for a new bearing when it's buggered.

The police (which I have a class 1 licence with) teach you to 'point and squirt' - meaning use low gears, and floor the throttle only when driving in straight lines !!

Again good advice, but not very fuel efficient, but they 'aint paying for the fuel their Rangie V8 is slurping !!!