donutchow

how many miles do you think the original clutch will be good for? is there any way to tell? i say 80k is a good estimate, maybe 100k?

gilboman

depends how you drive..but i would say under normal circumstances..80k is being very very optimistic

fdl

I have heard of some honda drivers going 150k on the origional clutch.

So how much is it to replace the clutch? Parts and labour.

ClutchPerformer

DEFINITELY depends on how you drive, but also depends on the car (this is one area where it's GOOD not to have a lot of torque ). I'd be surprised if mine lasts 100k mi, but I've known people to go 150k+ on one clutch. My best friend from HS got to 187k before he had to replace his ('94 Nissan Altima). His alternator died before the clutch did! I know because I replaced the alternator for him So I wouldn't say 80k is optimistic at all.

Edit: It probably costs a lot to replace labor-wise. I'm not sure, but it seems like you'd have to take a lot of stuff apart to get in there.

donutchow

it cost me $650 for everything to replace it on my old mazda mx-6. that clutch had 120,000 miles on the original clutch!! i hope to learn how to do it myself, which would save $250 or so, maybe even more

myfirstacura

I have a '90 Civic with 137K miles. Still has the original clutch. But I think I may need to replace it soon. Just starting to feel it go a little.... Still it's damn impressive.

donutchow

hey clutch performer, why is it bad for the clutch to have a lot of torque?

ClutchPerformer

More torque from engine = more torque applied to clutch = stronger clamping force needed to create enough friction = bigger possibility for damage due to bigger rate of change of clamping force for basically the same clutch pedal travel (hopefully that last one makes sense). Having a lot of torque is not horrible, but it just increases the chances that you'll mess up something delicate.

Side story: I also had a friend with a Mustang Cobra in HS. He had to replace his clutch at 30k mi And I've never heard of Geo Metros burning clutches left and right.

donutchow

because we all know geo metros have that whopping 30ft/lb of torque!!!!!!

drifter

But the Cobra should have a heavier clutch to compensate for the (much) higher torque than the TSX will have, so technically shouldn't a driver get the same or comparable clutch life with a cobra and a TSX? (provided same skill level and same type of driving of course)

LeMasseHammer

The original clutch on my '92 Camry lasted 160,000 miles. I was always a conservative driver when it came to my brakes and clutch. But NOT ANY MORE -- I'm gonna enjoy the TSX

ClutchPerformer

See the first paragraph of my previous post.

drifter

Yeah I understand what you are saying, but I guess my question is don't they make more durable clutches for cars with higher torque, and therefore they should last comparably long as a car with lower torque number?

If you put a TSX clutch in a cobra I'm sure it will not last very long and you might break something. But shouldn't the cobra clutch be designed to tolerate that amount of torque?

I guess I'm a bit confused

mcourt83

I've never replaced a clutch. Ever. I expected that my Acura/Honda would run for 100K or even 200K miles on the original clutch.

jackspat2

My friend has a Honda Civic. 237 thousand miles. Haven't done much to anything to it, including not replacing the clutch. A lot of Highway miles I think.

What you really got to worry about is replacing an automatic transmission. Those things are killer. Be Aware.

ClutchPerformer

Basically, a "heavier" clutch doesn't equal a more durable clutch. It just means a clutch with more force holding the plates together. And all things being equal (materials, etc.), the clutch with more clamping force will be less durable. I would try to explain, but I'd probably just make you more confused.

Johns

Wow, people are rougher on clutches than I thought. I am on my 11th manual transmission car (including 3 of my wifes) and have never replaced a clutch. The most miles were 200,000 on a VW Corado. My wifes current car is a VW Jetta with 122,000 miles and no sign of clutch problems.

drifter

Ahhhh......starting to make more sense now!! :P

Thanks~!!

lshenretty

Where you live and how you drive will have more to do with it than torque, I think.

If you live in San Francisco, you're likely to wear it out much sooner than someone living in Kansas - unless the someone in Kansas is the grandson of Don "The Snake" Prudhomme.

And in San Francisco, you'll want to learn how to start on a hill using the emergency brake.

blondetsx

I have never replaced a Honda clutch, so I am hoping the clutch on the TSX will be no exception. My 1990 Honda Accord had 175,000 miles on it when I sold it. My 1996 Acura Integra had 135,000 miles when I traded it in for the TSX. My sister has a Honda Civic with 350,000 miles on it and it still has the original clutch.

Brad

My three previous Accords' clutches have lasted forever:

My former '83 had 187,000 miles the last time I saw it several years ago. At that mileage, the clutch and tranny and engine were all original.

My former '88 currently has over 200,000 miles, and it has the original clutch and tranny and engine--all going strong.

My current Accord has has over 108,000 miles, and it's never needed clutch, tranny, or engine work.

I seriously didn't know that the Accord's clutches broke, unless the driver perhaps doesn't know how to shift well. I've seen other drivers do strange things with their clutches!

rb1

My 88 Integra clutch lasted 155K miles, but even then the plate was still fine. The springs holding the thing together just disintegrated...

(I was quiet pleased overall, actually. I tend to underclutch, which might subject the clutch to more vibration-like forces than normal)

chrisalberts

I'm going to side here with the idea that it's all up to you. If you end up replacing the clutch under 60k miles, there was either a manufacturing defect or you drive like a d!ck. If you replace it between 60-120k miles you probably drive quite aggressively with occasional burnouts etc., and otherwise it will last 120k plus.

Of course, you will find people who say that a clutch is a consumable part like brake rotors and there's nothing wrong with tearing it up and wearing it out. I say, if that's how you want to drive and spend your money - good luck to you.

C.

1killercls

28k on my 99 gsr and KABLEWIE went my clutch.

Encyclo

Clutches on Honda/Acuras last a long time. I would not expect to replace it. Would probably get rid of the car first (typically 8 to 10 years of ownership).

Honda engineering

DEVO

I would say it was a due to one of the reason listed by chrisalberts.

I drove my gsr aggresively and had a clutch spring let go at 120K, the clutch plate was still very good. Actually the spring didn't break but some how got shifted out of it's slot.

Jab31169

If you drop your clutch like it anit a thing = 40,000 to 50,000 miles

My buddy drives his civic si like a nutbag and he has 95,000 on the orignal clutch. As a matter of fact he has never had to replace a single part on that car.

vwong

So far, I have noticed that if you use your new car to learn how to drive manual, that clutch will likely be replaced sooner. Back in 1990, I learned how to drive manual in my brand new 1990 Prelude. I had to replace the clutch at around 30k+ miles. In 1999, my wife learned how to drive manual in our brand new 1999 Integra. I had to replace the clutch just after the warranty (just a tad over 48k miles). My 1998 Prelude is the only car that no one used it to learn to drive manual. However, I have been auto-x'ing the car since it was new, so the clutch had been into extreme conditions. I had to replace the clutch at around 105k miles.

Honestly, I think Honda clutches would last quite long.

TSXautoXer

I just hope with me autocrossing the car, the clutch will last at least 5 yrs or 75K miles, that probably when I will get myself into another new car.