Clutch issue..

Arcadia1

Hi there-my father took his 406 to a local mechanic last christmas to get the clutch done-guy told me he'd be putting in a clutch kit.
Last week, after not feeling comfortable with the clutch operation for quite a while, and after loud screeching and a smell of burning became noticable, he took the car back to the same mechanic, who told him that the bearing was gone.
Now, I've changed clutches in my Landrovers and I know that all clutch kits come with a release bearing as standard.
How could the bearing be giving trouble?
Anyway, my dad decided the better option would be to take the car to a main dealer.On opening her up, it was discovered the bearing had completely disintegrated, and done a lot of damage.
The dealer wouldn't commit an on the record opinion but did say that a new bearing would not have done that kind of damage.
On examining the clutch for an identifiable mark or number(to trace the kit to Valeo/Delphi or whoever) we've had no luck.
However, I was hoping that somebody might recognise the stamp in the photo here.
My dad is 85, careful driver all his life.What really maddens me about this is that it could have caused an accident.
Any help or advice most welcome.
JohnC

OldmanMondeo

Arcadia1 wrote: »

I know that all clutch kits come with a release bearing as standard.

Not all clutches come with the bearing as standard, I sell LUK clutches and I don't recognise the stamp, then again it is had to see on the picture. The Clutch disc or pressure plate should have a marking on it, see if this matches the bearing.

Arcadia1

Hi, thanks for taking the time to post a response-that stamp is all there is, no number or makers stamp in either clutch or plate.
The bearing is utterly ruined, no identifying marks on it.
I'm surprised that even if some kits don't come with bearing as standard, that a decent mechanic wouldnt replace the bearing as a matter of course, given the cost of opening up the vehicle to do the job in the first place.
I have a Delphi kit here for my defender, bearing included.
Back in 2003 the clutch gave up on my vehicle and the same guy fitted a new clutch without checking/replacing the fork or bearing.
The clutch fork gave up a week later and I had to do the job myself.
When i got into the housing, the fork was so worn that the linkage had gone right through it.
I was subsequently told by a Landrover mechanic that it's a matter of course that the fork is at least examined and more often replaced when doing this job.
My point is that as I understand it, it's good practice to check the entire assembly once inside the car, and this guy is not doing that,cutting corners to get the job done quickly and get the cash in hand.

OldmanMondeo

Arcadia1 wrote: »

.
My point is that as I understand it, it's good practice to check the entire assembly once inside the car, and this guy is not doing that,cutting corners to get the job done quickly and get the cash in hand.

That would be my take on it alright. When we sell the clutchs that don't have the bearing we always advise to change the bearing when doing hte clutch. Very rare that the bearing is not changed.

The reason that some clutch kits come withut te bearing is because the same clutch disc and pressure plate could fit several models of car but the may use a different bearing.

Arcadia1

What do you think I should do about this-as you say, you're in the trade so I'd be interested to hear your opinion.
I phoned the garage in question and spoke with one of the organ-grinders(it's run by a father/son combo)-I tried to be civil, explained my position on the matter and politely requested that as a sign of good faith the fee they charged for doing the original job should be refunded.
I was solemnly promised that they'd call me back but of course, I've heard nothing.
I'm considering going to the small claims court with the matter.
It annoys me because it's clearly a case of incompetence and I feel it needs redress.
Last Christmas, at the same time as doing my parents clutch the garage had the steering box of my Defender, supplied with an aftermarket seal kit.
I was too busy to do the job myself so I removed the box and gave the lot to them, including the relevant workshop manual chapter.
the box was returned to me absolutely bodged, and I had to restrip it with a mechanic friend.
We discovered that half the seal kit had been left out, and an external circlip had been forced into the shaft housing to hold in the few bits they had fitted .
I phoned the garage to complain, but was met with a hail of abuse and told, and I quote, '**** happens'.
If these people are allowed to continue somebody will get killed.