Clutch Fork Failure - i.e. New Clutch and Tranny
 

Hi.

I've been VERY happy with my 2013 BRZ - until yesterday afternoon in Phoenix, AZ.

I was driving around and suddenly the car lurched and the RPMs dropped and the engine wouldn't keep running. Several dash lights flashed on and off. Then the clutch pedal went all the way to the floor and locked with it stuck in first gear.

I had to pull over ASAP and called a friend who came and called a tow truck for me (I'm hearing impaired) and we had it taken to a dealership. Today, at the dealership, it was explained to us that due to a defective clutch fork, the throw-out bearing had failed and caused serious damage to the clutch and the transmission - destroying them both.

The car has only 35,000 miles on it and has been carefully maintained by a Subaru dealership.

The transmission is covered by my power train warranty, but they want to charge me $1,200 for a new clutch and assembly.

I did some searching and found that the 2013 BRZ has a history of chronic clutch fork problems.

So I thought I'd throw this out here and see if anyone has had a similar problem and can offer any info or advice.

If the clutch fork has been proven to be defective, I don't think I should have to pay anything to have everything completely repaired by Subaru, but I've never had anything like this happen, so I'd appreciate any advice anyone may have as to how to proceed.

I plan to take some Net pics and info about the fork to the dealer and see what they say, but should I contact anyone else, like a government agency, etc?

Thanks for any help or advice you can contribute.

:)

Well that sucks.
Second tell them to fuck off, @ 35k you shouldn't have to pay jack.
The fork is not the issue it's the throw out bearing that is. There's a known service bulletin call out for them. But being a dealership they would try to get money off of you no matter what.

If they insist on a new clutch, buy one yourself for $300-ish. Then have them put it on.
If your current dealership doesn't want to play ball, then look for another one. Tell them the situation and hopefully they will help you out. Or you can call the Subaru of America costumer help line.

Ask for the part number replacements. I'll bet it's just the throw out bearing, retaining clips and the input shaft housing. If you buy that yourself it's only like $50-60 for the throw out bearing and about $130-150 for the input shaft housing.
Unless it really destroyed the tranny. But it should be covered.

Nah. If the TOB went as bad as they said it took the whole clutch with it.
Agree the fork probably had nothing to do with it.
If warranty has timed out it doesn't matter how many miles were on the car.

So you have an extended warranty? What was their reason for not replacing the clutch under warranty?

I think it's standard to not replace the clutch under warranty as it's a consumable part. Any idiot can burn the clutch out before the warranty's up and they don't want to be stuck replacing it over and over. I feel like in this circumstance though they should make an exception and cover it as it's due to a faulty part and not excessive wear.

Just curious, but what is the powertrain warranty on these cars? How many years/miles?

Trans snout can usually be repaired...if that's the sole problem with trans.

Point being...if Subaru does not have to pay for an entire transmission, possibly they'd more likely cover damaged clutch parts repair, which was due to bad throwout bearing.

Video here, not necessarily for BRZ, yet is for Subaru:

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=frcvMyAyOco[/ame]

They are a relatively cheap and easy replacement on these. Don't have my invoice nearby but believe it was around $80 for the whole case cover.
Mine was pretty chewed up from the blown TOB.

60,000 mi/5 years

Thank you all for your information and comments. Very helpful.

I was told that a complete, new tranny is necessary. I guess the TOB did a LOT of damage. My power train warranty will cover the tranny (I've owned the car just over 4 years,) about $3,400. So I don't think they'd pay that if the tranny were repairable.

As for the fork, the mechanic specifically said the fork likely threw the TOB out of alignment and caused it to break free and cause the damage.

I've done a little research and have found reports saying the forks for the 2013 BRZ were junk. So I'm going to bring that up when it comes time to pay. I'm hoping I can get the cost reduced.

I won't mind paying a reasonable amount, but $1,200 is the absolute maximum for repairing a BRZ clutch (about $600 is the minimum,) so it sounds like they're trying to get some of their $3,400 back at my expense.

I've always maintained the car through a dealership and I know how to properly drive a stick shift and use a clutch, so I know the clutch was not abused.

Waiting for the tranny to arrive now. Mechanic said car should be ready Monday or Tuesday. So I'll talk to them then and see if they'll come down at all.

Thank you again for your help and advice. :)

You need to call corporate and be firm. You shouldn't pay shit. A clutch lasts a long ass time with normal driving, and this failure, whatever part, caused its pre-mature destruction.

Hey. My TOB was poop. Dealer didn’t want to do anything. Tried second. Nothing. Called and emailed Toyota of North America and North California...after 2ish hours I had someone email me and we got a dealer to rent me a car for free, replace TOB, transmission fluid and I forgot what else. All free. Took a week or so. Just keep calling, explain situation etc... if something comes up.