GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

My 2003 base 5-speed is the third manual transmission car I have owned. The first was a 74 Chevy Vega. As the clutch went through its normal wear, there was an adjustment screw on the outside of the clutch housing that could be easily adjusted to compensate. One of the Vega's marketing features was that it was supposed to be simple enough, mechanically, that the owner could do many routine maintenance and adjustment tasks. This included the clutch adjustment.My other manual transmission car was an 84 Corvette with a 4+2 transmission. That was a four-speed manual with a two-speed electronically controlled gear box behind it. That way you could set it up as a four-speed in performance mode, or in economy mode. I got rid of that car before it ever needed clutch adjustment or replacement.Welll, the Vibe has 44K miles on it now, and I know that clutches are a maintenance item, much like brake pads and shoes. Sooner or later, I know it will need to be replaced. So that brings me to this list of questions. (I guess I could have skipped the car history, but I guess it shows that I do know how to drive a manual transmission properly, and have done so before.) What is the expected life of a clutch? I am very easy on the clutch... no hard starts or burning rubber.... only moderate downshifting.Is it possible or advisable to try to replace the expendable clutch parts yourself? If anyone has done this on a base Vibe, could you post pictures?What are the symptoms that the clutch needs replacing? It's been a long time ago, but I think I knew my Vega needed adjustment when the motion point of the clutch pedal kept getting higher and higher in the pedal travel.Thanks.

I think that the hydraulic clutch in these cars is auto adjusting, so there may not be any manual adjustments possible. I guess when the clutch is worn to the point of needing replacement, the only symptoms would be either slipping or perhaps a noise. (emphasis on the "guess") Similar to worn brake pads, I don't think there would be any noticeable difference in clutch travel as the clutch wears.I am not sure how difficult it is to replace the clutch in these cars, hope I don't have to find out anytime soon. I had some related questions in http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=13839 . So far I'm up to 75K miles with no clutch problems yet. A lot of my miles are highway, so that's less shifts/mile than if they were mostly city miles.

My Vibe GT has 30,000 miles on it and the clutch just started to go. Of course I received the same response regarding coverage (that its NOT) ... Plus they want me to agree to pay $750 to have them confirm that its not covered (the entire job would cost me over $1400) --- I am currently battling with GM as I don't think that is right since clearly its a problem with their product rather than my driving - given the fact that so many people have noted this problem. I have a Toytoa with over 100,000 miles and I JUST relpaced the clutch last year. I suggest that as many people as possible contact GMAC. The number is 800-762-2737.

the clutch in the GT and Matrix XRS is different from esjones 5 speed. There have been no recurring clutch problems with the five speed clutch, but the GT s speed tranny set up seems to kill clutches in a surprising number of cars. I guess it is the toyota quality that toyota fans like to brag so much about. Quote, originally posted by joatmon » So far I'm up to 75K miles with no clutch problems yet. A lot of my miles are highway, so that's less shifts/mile than if they were mostly city miles.Well, shortly after that post back in March, I experienced the toyota quality that toyota fans like to brag about when the bearings went out in my 5 speed. I replaced it myself, and it was a real pain. The second one also developed toyota quality bearing problems, and after doing it once, I paid someone to replace it the second time. They beached at me big time, said the Vibe was one of the worst cars to pull atranny on that they had ever worked on. Made me feel better about the trouble I had doing it.Anyway, I put in a new clutch. The OEM clutch for the 5 speed with about 75K miles on it was still in great shape. I didn't need to replace it, but I am glad I did because of the amount of trouble it was to get to it. I don't want to do that again.

The dealership I went to said $300 to pull it apart. Labor overall ended up being $600.They'll also tell you you need to replace the flywheel, which is complete bunk. Tell them to give it to you and get it resurfaced. It'll cost like $35.Everyone knows the GT clutch sucks, but GM doesn't care that they have an inferior part in the car from the factory.Also, to answer the previous question, I think clutches generally last somewhere around 100k miles. (That's when my Probe was replaced)

Quote, originally posted by EGlickman »My Vibe GT has 30,000 miles on it and the clutch just started to go. Of course I received the same response regarding coverage (that its NOT) ... Plus they want me to agree to pay $750 to have them confirm that its not covered (the entire job would cost me over $1400) --- I am currently battling with GM as I don't think that is right since clearly its a problem with their product rather than my driving - given the fact that so many people have noted this problem. I have a Toytoa with over 100,000 miles and I JUST relpaced the clutch last year. I suggest that as many people as possible contact GMAC. The number is 800-762-2737. Dude, this is the THIRD time you've posted/copy/pasted this reply in a clutch thread. Please do NOT spam...we get the picture!

I've had clutches last much longer than 30k... that's down right lame.Mustang GT 5.0L 5Speed (blown 2 x T-5 Trannies beating it to death - clutch never went out sold at 87k miles)F-150 Truck 6cyl torque monster - 4wd, 114k never needed a clutchContour 136k V6 (driven like I didn't care) clutch still perfectMy gosh - this 4cyl better not eat it's clutch before those!