Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Transaxle Clutch Life

I have a '99 2.5 MTX that I am thinking of either selling or turning over to my daughter at the end of the year. The car has been pretty reliable since new but I'm thinking that it's about time for it's age and mileage (72K) to start showing.

One of my concerns is the clutch. It works fine right now but two kids have learned how to drive a clutch in this Contour and it's been primarily an around town car. I've heard horror stories of $2200 clutch jobs and I do not want to spend that kind of money on this car.

So, the question is, how long do these clutches generally last with the standard and stock V6? Obviously how a car is driven is a huge factor but what's the high and low mileage that folks have gone before the clutch was replaced (if at all)? And if you're clutch was replaced where did you have it done and what did it cost?

Thanks

My SVT still has the stock clutch at 103K with plenty of life left in it. Although my tranny went so I am having it replaced. I bought a Spec stage 1 clutch for about 300 bucks and it is being installed for $450.

2200.0 clutch jobs are for thos epeople who are "unaware" of their Mechanic. DIY cluch replacment is "plausible" with decent tools, good general knowledge of how stuff works, a FOrd CD Rom (PM TODRAS), a buddy, and a weekend. The cost of a good clutch will run you just under 300.00 (Spec 1 Clutch, as Rawburt said). Napa can re-surface the flywheel for about 35.00 and a new throw out bearing is 75.00. Labor is the killer, depending on where you go.

How long do they last? Depends, really. Stalling out a car does little to the clutch, however, a burnout or 20 will play a factor on clutch life. Also.. 72K.. highway, city, both? My first CSVT had 130K on the original clutch (all highway). My current CSVT had 58K when the clutch was replaced with 20% left (mostly city). So, where those miles where driven is also a factor.

What should you not do after replacing the clutch and put a few hundred miels on it??? Race... , as I will be needing some clutch work soon.

Yeah, you'll probably get answers that are all over the map. Personally I have 113K mi. on my original unit and it still feels fine.

$2200!!!! I don't think a dealer even charges that much. $1500 maybe. I raced my Contour and the clutch still had about 15% life left at 130k.

Close to 140k on my moms mystique....And I learned on it at around 125k....

115kmiles, on my sister's Duratec V6 Mystique, original clutch, so far so good. She is not a gentle driver, however the key is don't slip the clutch.

I learned to drive a 5-speed on my SVT (maybe not the best learners car), so you know what that means. Bought it with 15K miles, and I now have 65K and have had no problems at all. I expect to go to atleast 100K before overhauling the transmission.

I'm over 130k on the stock clutch, bought the car with 106k, it was driven almost entirely highway. The last 24k have been hell for this car(i beat the crap out if it) but thge clutch is still alive.

I have 210,000 miles on my SVT with the original stock clutch. I have taught one daughter how to drive a stick with it as well as several other younger relatives. It shows no signs of weakness.

I wouldn't worry about your clutch until you have symptoms.