I've been posting on here the last month or so about my clutch swap, basically I attempted to replace my R53's clutch myself (with minimal mechanical experience). The car is back on the road (after a month on jack stands) but it has the original clutch back in...

As I was putting the trans back on the motor, I missed the input shaft alignment, tightened bolts (I know, idiot move) and cracked the rear plate and destroyed my brand new clutch disc. I had the trans looked at it and it's fine, but I'm pretty upset with myself, obviously.

Originally I intended to swap the valeo single mass flywheel in, but now that I've broken my clutch disc I need to find another one. I really hope I don't have to buy the whole kit over again, does anyone know if you can get that clutch disc alone? I bought this kit from Way Motor Works:

http://www.waymotorworks.com/valeo-c...l-kit-r53.html

 

This might be your best bet.... http://www.valeoserviceusa.com/content/contact-us

 

Yes you can buy the clutch disc, it could include the bearing as well. If Way doesn't have it I'm sure that he can get it for you, otherwise try ECS or partsgeek ...Pelican parts. Good luck

 

They do sell it. While I was looking for deals on the whole kit myself, I ran across the part number for just the disc itself. Can't remember if it came with the pressure plate too or not, but they do sell it without the flywheel that I am sure of!


Edit:

http://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/..._pg1.htm#item5

21-20-7-561-754-M262

or

21-21-7-534-150-M262

They're the only 2 Valeo brand sets in the Clutch Kit section. One is 185.xx, the other is 221.xx. Not sure why the price difference. Call and ask?

Good luck!

 

I've looked into this too for my next clutch job when I plan on putting in a lighter flywheel paired with a Valeo spring hub clutch disk.

What you're looking for is Valeo part number 52151204. It's the service kit for the single mass conversion kit, which is part number 52151203.

http://www.valeoclutches.com/product...ice_Clutch_Kit

http://www.valeoclutches.com/Product...ersion+Kits/45

 

Although, a quick search didn't show too much at the typical vendors, so there's a chance the part number has changed. If that's the case, Valeo's site hasn't been updated.

 

Yep,

This is the Dual Mass to Single Mass Conversion kit

Dual Mass Flywheel Conversion Kit Part # 52151203


http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/52151203/





And below is , looks to come with the disc , pressure plate , center tool, and throw out bearing.

Clutch Kit For Solid Flywheel Conversion : Clutch kit only Part # 52151204


http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/52151204/



Thanks

 

Good to see you guys stock it!

 

ugh fml. I should have bought that Clutchmasters LWFW for $200 used from Way and tossed it in . I doubt I'll ever change the clutch on this car again! haha

 

nah... The valeo is perfect for 90% of R53 owners. You just learned a time consuming lesson. When I did my clutch I was extra careful installing it because I did not want to spend a day going back in there to fix it.

 

Might be confused Joe, I'm not the OP. Just someone ranting because I didn't install a lightened flywheel when I did my Valeo kit. 6,000 miles and still holding well .

 

yeah, I read it wrong!

Valeo clutches FTW

 

Right there with you - really wish I had put one in mine too, especially given it is an R50 with a 6-speed conversion. The Valeo flywheel while lighter than a dual-mass, is still about 10lbs. heavier than the normal stock R50 flywheel.

 

Has anyone looked into the Valeo's "Signature Series," or "Dual Friction" DF-Pro series, to see if there's an application for the R53 or R56?

 

Just did a quick search on Valeo's site - doesn't look like they carry those for MINIs.

http://www.valeoclutches.com/

 

Yea, I realized after I asked the question I could have done that myself.

Well, OS Clutches are too pricey for my needs so I guess I'll go with the ACT Heavy Duty Street. I just wish I could use the Valeo Flywheel with it. I'm not sure if it will work. Any inputs.

 

One thing I'd love to try on my R50 with the 6-speed conversion is the Valeo spring clutch from the solid flywheel conversion kit (Valeo 52151204) with a lightened flywheel - either the competition clutch steel or ACT steel one. The clutch/flywheel weight would be very close to the stock R50 clutch setup. Right now, my setup is about 10 lbs. heavier than the stock R50 setup.

Some say don't mix and match clutch/flywheel setups, others say it should work, so why not try? I asked the question on this thread and one guy responding saying go for it:
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ch-brands.html

 

My thinking is that Valeo is an OEM making an aftermarket part as a direct replacement.
Since there are many out there making performance clutches for the OEM part, why shouldn't they fit the OEM's direct replacement?

 

Exactly my thought as well.

 

I just made a mechanic's-eye-view video of removing the transmission and installing a Valeo clutch.
I've done this job something like 5 times now so I've got most of the difficult parts figured out.
Hope it's helpful to someone:

 

Bravo to you. I am waaaaay too impatient to do something like a DIY even though I always wanted to, but this is a much better idea. Def going to help a lot of first timers on here. GoodGuyCornersMeme.jpg .

P.S. were your axles a pain in the *** to get out of the trans too? I had to bust out my big pry bar and hammer the **** out of it to get them to pop.

 

Hi - Thanks for watching.
I'm too impatient to stop and record, so I thought hey, just attach the camera to my head and keep working as if it wasn't there. Now I just need to keep from the irrelevant chat during key points in the video. Also the camera was pointing up a little too high. I'll be making newer videos with a wider angle lens.

On the R53, the passenger side axle slides right out. There is no circlip - it is held in by the carrier bushing. The driver side axle can be a bit of a pain but usually pops right out with two pry bars (one on each side of the inner joint).