OK so the 07 V8V I bought is manual which I preferred and also seems to be a good thing for clutch life and maybe a bit easier to replace.

Car now has 30K miles on it and no clutch slipping. Dealer said I may need a new clutch during it's annual service last Sept.

Dealers seem to only want to replace with original AM parts. No problem with that except I inclined to go with an updated replacement. Been down the road with a V8 and small disc area many years ago so I'd like to avoid replacing again anytime soon.

I picked up a dual disc and lightened flywheel in Dec. so I'm probably going to be proactive and replace the assy. this summer.

I've pulled engines, replaced clutches, replaced differentials, built an A arm rear suspension for my track car etc... so I consider myself reasonably mechanically inclined.

Anyone have any input on what to look out for while doing a clutch replacement? I believe there's a circlip on the drive shaft that has to be pulled as part of the process.

Plan is to remove shielding, remove transaxle, remove torque tube, remove clutch and flywheel then install the new parts. Thinking I can use the driveshaft to center the clutch. Then find torque specs for all the HW removed.

Thinking this is a two day job if not in too much of a hurry.

Cheers,

 

I have never done a clutch job on an Aston but if the layout is anything like the DB9 I would image the exhaust, rear transmission, and torque tube will have to come out. No doubt it will be a job but it will be worth it. Make sure you document and take pictures. The forum could benefit if you did a quick DYI post on this.

 

I second dan. When you do this it would be helpful to like-minded people if you document your work and post lots of pictures. Not everyone who wants to will be able to do this job but some will want to try. Thanks!

 

I have seen a Vantage transaxle out of the car on the floor of my dealer. It is about the size of a coffee table and no doubt weighed several hundred pounds.

My tech, Kyle, said they use three mechanics to pull it and replace it.

He also has to pull the left hand exhaust manifold...no task for the timid either.

Looked to me to be a significant job, well beyond the normal DIY mechanical skills.

The dealer quoted $2K labor to replace original equipment parts or the twin plate clutch/light flywheel I was contemplating. They have done them both and are equipped with the lift, hydraulic transmission table, brains and experience.

Sounded like a pretty good deal to me.

 

had my clutch done by the dealer in Cape town during December last year, AM Ct has one techie, he works with a helper they have a stand that holds the transaxle gearbox and he had that out the car in 35 minutes, then the tube that connects the transaxle to the other end also forms part of the bellhousing thing, he did remove the left side manifold and both cats. job in and out 8 hours.
My own engineer who does work for me said he would have done it because its a very basic job but we did not have a lift and he felt that working under a car on a mattress is not the way to go, but said it is a very basic ob, he himself having done a few complex engine / clutch rebuilds on other cars comented the vantage is very basic layout

 

Flinder, $2k labor for a clutch job on a Vantage? Sounds like a bargain. What dealer was this if you don't mind me asking? Did that also include parts?

 

Aston Martin of Troy quoted $2K, maybe $100 more for the throw out bearing...but none of the parties involved knew the actual cost, which turns out to be an assembly that costs a whole lot more.

Brian Frania, Service Manager, spoke the words, we were in the Aston showroom, in Brian Bucholtz' office. Brian Cupler was on the phone, must have had the service operations rate book and his calculator at hand, he provided the numbers to Frania, who spoke them to me.

This is a first class operation, they have more than a dozen franchises in south east Michigan with the lead operation, Elder Ford. I trust them.

This quote was made about 18 months ago. There was nothing in writing.

Remember, this is labor only, I was to supply the twin plate clutch and lightened flywheel.

 

The $2k price seems too good to be true. I had AM of Troy repaint my mirror covers and they did a wonderful job on them. I have only had one experience with them but they did seem to be top notch during the work I had performed.

 

For reference I paid $6k for rsc clutch and labor at gmg racing.

 

You'll just need a trans jack and then it's a 1 person job..if you've never done this before, you might what you get your hands on the workshop manual. The only place I can comment on where to get your hands on one is from the manufacture at astonmartintechinfo.com

 

Yes I plan on documenting once I get to it.

The transaxle looks big and heavy but I do have a trans jack as Irish mentions using. I've pulled heavy cast iron transfer cases and transmissions in the past and done an auto to 5 speed conversion on my old Vette. Just need to be patient and not rush things to make sure I don't damage anything.

I was quoted $2.2K for labor only as I'd supply the parts but I can buy and install a larger lift for a little bit more and use it for other projects.

Cheers

 

Fitting post, as I've started to look into the same thing on my 2007 Vantage. FSM makes it seem like a standard job, as far as clutch replacements go, and I have my own shop (although I'm not a professional mechanic) with a lift, etc.

I'm assuming the dealer would run about $6k with a new throwout bearing...and while I'm not opposed to having it done, one of the reasons I like the 2007 Vantage is that I can wrench on it myself.

Would love a write up with someone's experience....

-H-

 

My 06 V8V manual is in for the clutch as we speak. I bought the parts myself and provided them to my mechanic who is doing the work. He reviewed the service manual from AM and said the job was pretty basic- just a bit of time. I'm expecting it to be 8-12 hours total. I saved nearly 2k on parts ordering them myself and skipping over the dealership.

 

Excellent Vantage clutch DIY link showed up on Pistonheads over the weekend.

clivechedzey.wix.com/aston#!clutch-change-2014/cyc8

 

Thanks for the link as this will be very helpful. I'm still debating getting a lift before I start on mine.