2006-2017 Aston Martin V8 Vantage clutch replacement (transaxle-out)

The Vantage clutch procedure differs materially between the six-speed manual (Graziano 6MT), the Sportshift I automated manual, and the Sportshift II twin-plate automated manual. Confirm the gearbox variant from the VIN plate or the transaxle casting mark before ordering parts. Wrong clutch kit at this labor cost is an expensive mistake.

Lift the car to full working height. Remove the rear diffuser (multiple T30 Torx and 10mm bolts around the perimeter). Set the diffuser on a padded surface; the honeycomb face scratches easily.

Unbolt the rear muffler and the mid-pipe flanges. Support each section with a jack stand before releasing the last bolt. Disconnect any post-cat O2 sensor harnesses at the chassis clip. Aston Martin exhaust flange bolts often seize; heat and penetrating oil beat force every time.

The Vantage uses a torque tube connecting the engine to the rear transaxle, with an internal driveshaft running through it. Loosen the driveshaft coupling at both ends (engine flywheel end and transaxle input end). Support the torque tube with a transmission jack at its midpoint. Unbolt the torque tube from the engine bell housing and the transaxle bell housing. Lower the torque tube straight down and slide it forward to clear the transaxle input shaft.

Support the transaxle with a transmission jack under the case center. Disconnect the shift cables (manual) or the actuator harnesses (Sportshift). Disconnect the reverse lockout wiring and the reverse light switch. Remove the transaxle mount bolts on both sides. Loosen the axle CV nuts and pull each axle out of the transaxle case (fluid will spill; reposition the drain pan). Lower the transaxle straight down and roll clear.

The clutch is now accessible at the front face of the transaxle. Fit the flywheel locking tool. Remove the pressure plate bolts a quarter turn at a time in a crossing pattern until spring pressure releases evenly. Lift the pressure plate and disc off the flywheel dowels. Inspect the flywheel face for scoring, heat checking, and hot spots. Any scoring deeper than 0.010 inch means resurface or replace. Sportshift II twin-plate hardware requires an intermediate plate and a second friction disc; remove all layers and inspect each disc.

The CSC is integrated into the transaxle bell housing on all Vantage variants. It bolts on with three T30 Torx and has a single hydraulic line running into it. Disconnect the hydraulic line, catch the fluid, and unbolt the old CSC. Set the new CSC in place, torque the CSC bolts to 89 in lbs (10 Nm). Verify against your service manual. Reconnect the hydraulic line. Never operate the clutch pedal while the transaxle is out; the CSC will extend past its travel limit and blow the seal.

Clean the flywheel face with brake cleaner. Fit the new clutch disc to the flywheel using the alignment tool. For twin-plate Sportshift, install the primary disc, intermediate plate, secondary disc in the correct orientation (marked on the discs). Fit the new pressure plate over the dowels. Install new pressure plate bolts. Torque the Vantage pressure plate bolts to 25 ft lbs (34 Nm) in three passes using a crossing pattern. Verify against your service manual.

Guide the transaxle input shaft straight into the clutch disc without tilting or forcing. The alignment tool should have set the disc concentric; if the transaxle will not slide fully home, back off, re-check disc alignment, and try again. Never bolt the transaxle up under tension; that bends the input shaft. Once the bell housing seats flush against the transaxle case, install and torque the transaxle mount bolts to 66 ft lbs (90 Nm). Verify against your service manual. Reinstall axles, shift linkage, and harnesses.

Slide the torque tube back into position between engine and transaxle. Fit new torque-to-yield coupling bolts at both driveshaft ends. Torque the Vantage driveshaft coupling bolts per the exact spec sequence for the chassis year (verify against your service manual; typically 44 ft lbs plus 90 degrees). Bolt the torque tube flanges to the bell housings.

Refill the transaxle with 4.5 US quarts of the specified 75W-90 through the fill port until fluid weeps from the port. Torque the fill plug to 33 ft lbs (45 Nm). Verify against your service manual. Bleed the clutch hydraulic circuit at the CSC bleeder using a Motive pressure bleeder; pump-and-hold with two people is acceptable but pressure bleeding is cleaner. Cycle the clutch pedal several times after bleeding to confirm firm pedal engagement.

Reinstall the exhaust with new gaskets. Refit the rear diffuser. Lower the vehicle. Start the engine, engage the clutch through all gears while stationary (with the parking brake set), and confirm smooth engagement with no shudder. Take a short low-speed test drive to bed the clutch; thirty gentle stop-and-go engagements, no launches or full-throttle pulls for the first 500 miles.