So I am hearing about the horror stories. It seems to be happening around 40k miles or so. Anyways, are these things I am hearing true? Is there an actual trend going on here? I know I know you might have 20k on yours and its not slipping, but it doesn't seem to be a problem till the mid 30.

 

where do you go to get someone to install a new one? if i already bought the hardware? i don't want to get ripped off from some guy who says they can do it.

 

If people really are having to replace clutches at 40K miles, people are either not very good at driving manuals or Toyota has design/quality issues. A clutch shouldn't go out near that quickly.

 

True, clutches SHOULD last 100K plus but the problem stems from Toyota using the same clutch components from the Echo wich weighs a few hundred pounds less. This along with spirited driving is causing them to burn up pre maturely unless a heavier pressure plate is installed early on when mileage is very low.
I'm glad I knew about it before I got a stick. It's nice having 1 vehicle with an Auto for a change.

 

I like my 5 speed...only wish it were a 6 speed

IMHO the xB is too under powered for an auto..
I got 30K on mine..and the clutch still feels good
when the time comes I will do my own work..
as far as the clutch goes anyway

 

I have 95K on mine on the original clutch.

If someone burns up a clutch at 30K, they are either in severe stop and go conditions, driving aggressively more often than not, or riding the clutch.

 

I don't think that an extra few hundred lbs is contributing to the short clutch life. With my 1991 4-cyl Mazda truck I have pulled a 2,000-lb boat on several trips every summer for 15 years, and launched it locally almost every month, and the clutch is perfect at 150,000 miles.
The xB has a nice light clutch that is getting hard use in spirited driving by many people whose first interest may not be saving the clutch.

 

Apples and oranges in your comparo vintage42. If the xB clutch were more stout it might better hold up to spirited driving and those people whose first interest may not be saving the clutch. LOL

 

"I don't think that an extra few hundred lbs is contributing to the short clutch life. With my 1991 4-cyl Mazda truck I have pulled a 2,000-lb boat on several trips every summer for 15 years, and launched it locally almost every month, and the clutch is perfect at 150,000 miles.
The xB has a nice light clutch that is getting hard use in spirited driving by many people whose first interest may not be saving the clutch."
^^
A few hundred pounds and or driving style, can make all the difference in the world if the clutch components were less than adequate to begin with. Also, you can't compare a mazda truck with a scion, that'd be like me comparing my daily driven 1989 honda crx with 285K on the ORIGINAL clutch ( that was probably made for "spirited"driving more than the economy ) with your mazda truck. Apples and oranges.
It all comes down to quality and driver skills, think of the driver market you're aiming for and build the vehicle accordingly.

 

well I for one didnt buy my xB because it was very fast..
as far as spirited driving goes...to what end?
I have other cars to drive fast in

 

You mentioned two reasons there. The second reason is good.
A few hundred pounds only affects the clutch when starting off. And carrying a couple of passengers is not the reason for short clutch life.
Bad clutch habits and abuse affect the clutch when starting off, and with every upshift and downshift. Such "style" is the cause of short clutch life.

 

Bottom line is the clutch is not as strong as it should/could be.

 

The clutch is not strong enough to take the kind of use that some give it. It seems fine for me. Maybe that is because I don't use the clutch much. Not in my xB, not in my vintage bikes where I am responsible for changing the clutch if needed, and not in my little truck.

When you pull a 2000 lb boat with a 120 hp 4 cyl engine, you learn not to use the clutch. Do not let the clutch slip when starting out, or when yanking the boat out of the water. Let the clutch hook up as soon as possible, no power upshifts, and no braking with the clutch. What is good for the truck is good for the xB, when neither of them is pulling anything.

It is not apples to oranges. It is how to use a clutch. The clutch does not last long as a torque converter, but that is how many people use it. Rev up the engine to 2000 rpm and let the clutch out for accelaration. Let the revs rise on an upshift and get a boost out of the clutch as it re-engages. Turn the momentum of that spinning flywheel and clutch into some extra acceleration. Then save the brakes by popping into one lower gear after the other and letting the clutch out each time.

And complain about the clutch life. After all, clutches are supposed to take it, aren't they?

 

Every stick I have had in the past has lasted about 90,000 miles...driving style has EVERYTHING to do with clutch life. I am quite sure Scion didn't put the "High Performance clutch" in our Boxes...Our cars just aren't designed for heavy abuse. Just simple, cheap transportation that's Cool to drive.

 

Clutch replaced at 37,863 miles due to severe slippage. Upgraded to an ACT Stage 1 setup. Much better feel and performance. I forgot what it was like to hit the gas and go faster...

...I wont lie. I beat the hell outta my clutch. It took the beatings for a while but not strong enough for me.

 

Glad the new set up is working for ya. I've been trying to tell folks to upgrade sooner than later to save wear on the flywheel and clutch disc. Why buy all those parts if ya don't have to? Get heavy pressure plate installed right away and enjoy driving your box the way it's meant to be driven from day one.

 

I had the stock flywheel resurfaced. I couldnt afford the disk, pressure plate, install, AND a flywheel all at once. Im very interested in replacing the flywheel still for both clutch life and unsprung weight reduction...

...I laughed out loud when I opened the ACT box and saw the size of our clutch. Doesnt look like much.

 

What size is it? Like 8 inches diameter? Did your flywheel clean up good and not have any cracks? Did the ACT come with pressure plate and disc?

 

The flywheel cleaned up nicely from what I was told. 8 inches sounds about right. I didnt measure it but seems close. The ACT Stage one kit comes with the pressure plate, bearing, and disk. Its basically everything except the flywheel. Thats another almost $300. Just cant do it right now...

 

Sounds like a nice set up as is. I wouldn't be in a hurry to upgrade to lightweight flywheel anytime soon. Enjoy!