Polo 1.4 16V pressure plate problems ?

[macp]

I spent quite a lot of money making my 16v polo mechanically better this included a new clutch kit and release bearing.When I collected the car it seemed better because it was really awful when it went in but after a couple of days I called the garage to say that I still wasnt happy with the clutch which still seemed stiff and that I had noticed a juddering when pulling away.They made no comment but to say we can fit a new clutch cable for £80 plus vat.I left it a few days partly because I had just coughed up nearly £800 and was trying to find the time to take my car to them.

Last week the cable snapped and I had to be recovered to a different garage and get a new cable fitted.The technician (VAG trained) who replaced it say we have fitted your cable but not happy with it and unfortunately you need a new clutch kit as the pressure plate is breaking up.I say but I had a new clutch kit fitted less than two weeks ago.They then say well in our opinion the pressure plate is defective this is evidenced by the very firm pedal & juddering when pulling away. He went onto say the fork is solid you cant push it by hand.

Assuming they did fit a new pressure plate and I am giving them the benefit of the doubt that they did (im told the pressure plate is part of the kit) I'm not chuffed. I am just annoyed & disappointed that they were satisfied with the job and let it go out like that.

[alexperkins]

The clutch could be faulty, misasligned, wrongly fitted, incorrect for the car, or even one of these awful remanufactured clutches that are absolute rubbish

The clutch lever should be able to be pushed by hand quite easily if its all working properly and new.

[macp]

Hi Alex

No its as stiff as a Ron Jeremy`s you know what

Im taking it in next wednesday as I have demanded a courtesy car but I am concerned by the parting comment that they tried it and were satisfied. They did say that any repairs will be at their cost im just wary that when I get there they will think its ok in their opinion. I have had plenty of vdubs with cable clutch and they have never been as stiff as this and theirs the juddering too.

[macp]

Well its gone in and the garage are making all the right noises but we will see. The workshop manager when I told him the clutch was stiff and no better than before it had a new clutch invited me to try the pedal in his Lupo 16v saying they are all stiff. I was pleased when I noticed it was genuinely better than mine and I told him so, I think he was expecting me to say its awful just like mine.

So they have given me a SEAT Toledo 2.3V5 which considering its done 170k is creamy smooth and drives really well.

[alexperkins]

It should be silky smooth and require little to no effort to depress when they are new

Ive changed 5 polo clutches, and all have been like that afterwards.

[macp]

So picked it up today and there was no charge as they said the clutch bearing was faulty. It is certainly vastly different to when it went in so im happy