Vxr clutch/ floating gear box?

MARCUS-752

MEMBER
2008 VAUXHALL CORSA
1.6L
4 CYL
2WD
MANUAL
85,000 MILES

At first I could seem the glitch burning out and I stated to loose power when accelerating so I took to a garage and he said definitely clutch, the next day on the way home lost all power and the gears where floating, the gears where doing nothing and wouldn’t even stall the car when put into gear without the clutch as it wasn’t doing anything n I could start the car in 6th n it would act like neutral any ideas?

Wednesday, January 14th, 2026 AT 1:04 AM

1 Reply

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
55,047 POSTS

Yep, it sounds like the clutch has come apart and is no longer connecting the engine to the transmission.

The VXR uses a dual mass flywheel. When DMF fails:

1. Internal springs break
2. Flywheel halves slip internally
3. Clutch cannot grip properly
4. Sudden total loss of drive
5. Often fails together with clutch.

This video may help as well

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EpBMj5ZY_bo

SIMPLE TEST YOU CAN DO (No Tools)
Test 1 - Handbrake Stall Test

1. Apply handbrake HARD
2. Put in 1st gear
3. Slowly release clutch

Results:
If engine DOES NOT stall = Clutch or flywheel has failed completely. Please upload a short video in your response of the problem, so I can see what's going on :) Ken

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Thursday, January 15th, 2026 AT 11:26 AM