Hi Everyone,

I fear the clutch on my 1990 XJS, 3.6 manual coupe is in need of replacement. Seems to still function OK and I replaced the slave / master cylinders a couple of years ago to cure some clutch drag but an odd, slightly irregular rattle / chatter when the clutch is fully depressed (in or out of gear) when warmed up has started. As far as I know it is the original clutch and the car has just clocked 139,000 miles so I guess it is due. I will have the work done by a garage as I do not have the expertise, working space or lifting equipment to do the job myself.

Question I have is, apart from the three piece clutch assembly and any deteriorated support bushes / mounts, what else should I have checked / replaced whilst the work is being done? Flywheel condition? Starter motor bendix clean up? UJs? Oil seals?

Finally, if anyone has any recommendations for garages in the south east of England who are familiar with XJS clutch swaps (appreciate most are automatics) I would be keen to hear.

Thanks for reading,

Cheers,
LeeP

 

Classic Engineering, Waltham Cross.

 

Lee,

I would have thought that Ray Brown at Surrey Jag Centre near you in Redhill would be ideal for this.

Apart from the usual consideration of gearbox, engine and subframe mounts, you might want to get them to look at the quality of the insulation above the gearbox which can deteriorate and crumble away, and is very difficult to access whilst the gearbox is in place.

Also, depending how they need to do the job, they may have to split the exhaust at the bottom of the downpipes. If so, they might want to strengthen the weld of the rather primitive collector pipe join just before the exhaust join to the underfloor pipe. That weld is prone to splitting.

If you go there, say hello to Ray from me.

Good luck

Paul Sinnott

 

Paul,
Many thanks for the tips. Surrey Jag were on my list to contact as they are only a few miles away now.
Cheers,
LeeP