Time to update the clutch - what to choose: Luk or Valeo?

Choosing clutch system parts is a responsible and serious matter: not only your safety is at stake, but also the thickness of your wallet. Alas, the rule applies especially clearly here: the higher the price, the higher the level of quality of the product. And if you have long and confidently placed your bet on the premium segment, but still doubt which manufacturer to choose, we suggest dotting the i’s and comparing the two main competitors Luk and Valeo according to the main parameters.

We have written more than once about the nuances of selecting a complete clutch kit and its parts separately. Which components are paramount and what fails first can be seen here. It would also be useful to refresh your memory about the features of operation and replacement of such important elements as the clutch disc, master and slave cylinders, clutch basket and release bearing and cable.

What characteristics are important when choosing clutch parts?

Before advising whether to buy a Valeo or Luk clutch kit, we suggest deciding on the key parameters by which, in principle, it makes sense to compare these two premium manufacturers.

• Reliability is determined by the quality of the material from which the clutch parts are made and the confidence in purchasing a genuine product and not a counterfeit.
• Service life depends on resistance to wear, overheating, temperature resistance, additional features of production technology, etc.
• Comfort - expressed in a smooth, soft ride, as well as the presence and quality of dampers that dampen vibrations and vibrations.
• Finally, the features of operation - or rather, the degree of your participation in installation, diagnostics and periodic “intervention”. Depends on which option is closer to you: “set it once and forget it” or regularly check, update and “tweak” parts?

We also note that such an important criterion as the cost of the clutch kit is not critical in this case, since we are talking about brands from the same price category.

Luk VS Valeo: reliability

Let's start with reliability. Both manufacturers have no equal in this indicator. Luk is a high-quality “100%” German product with all that it implies: precision, first-class quality and scrupulous meticulousness in development and assembly. Valeo is a French brand that supplies clutch spare parts for every third car in the world. Both Luk and Valeo are official distributors for the conveyors of the largest automakers, as well as for the secondary market. However, we still recommend taking a closer look and buying a Valeo clutch - and here's why. Firstly, in the production of clutch system parts, the company uses exclusively durable and high-quality materials, and also carefully monitors the manufacturing process at each stage. Secondly, Valeo offers such a wide range of entire clutch kits and individual elements that you can easily select exactly the spare part that interests you. Thirdly, according to world statistics, the Valeo clutch (over more than eighty years of history of its existence) has received such a number of various awards, certificates and recognitions that it is rightfully considered a reference - much more reliable?!

However, there is a downside: in addition to quality, Valeo also holds the record for the frequency of counterfeiting. However, if you approach the issue thoughtfully, it is very easy to detect counterfeit goods even before purchase (read how exactly).

Features of this clutch

Today, Valeo is the world's largest manufacturer of radiators, optical devices and electrical equipment for vehicles. The company is a business partner of many well-known automobile corporations that produce cars. According to company representatives, manufactured products, in particular clutches, are manufactured on the basis of advanced technologies. As a result, Valeo products are not inferior in quality to devices intended for first assembly.

Original clutch from Valeo

As for the clutch system itself (hereinafter - CC), currently every second car in Europe and every third car in the world is equipped with a clutch from Valeo. According to official data, the company produces about 1,100 types of kits and about 700 types of individual spare parts for cars. In addition, the company's developers continue to work to this day on developing and expanding the range of products not only for passenger cars, but also for trucks and agricultural machinery.

Speaking directly about clutches, Valeo has been producing these devices for more than eighty years. This type of product is manufactured at 12 enterprises located on 4 world continents. As representatives of the manufacturing company themselves say, extensive experience, excellent quality and innovative production allow Valeo to provide a leading position in the automotive market. The company's division responsible for the production of transmission systems is engaged in the production of the entire CC, as well as clutch kits and all individual elements.

Original clutch from Valeo

It should also be noted that Valeo produces parts for the aftermarket. The company spends about 30% of its production on this. Parts are manufactured to the same standards and specifications as primary market products.

Regarding the advantages of CC guaranteed by the manufacturer:

• SS are manufactured using new technologies, which allows achieving the highest quality in production;
• products are made from the highest quality parts that can be used in the factory assembly of cars;
• As for installation, everything is more than convenient: the manufacturer offers a disk with an installation manual, as well as all diagrams and photographic materials, complete with the CC.

According to company representatives, the SS is a fairly soft and comfortable spare part compared to other analogues present on the automotive market today.

As for reliability, to date there have been no high-profile cases or scandals related to the quality of the company’s products.

On average, the service life of a SS from the company reaches 160 thousand kilometers, that is, about six years of regular operation of the car.

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Luk VS Valeo: service life

The uninterrupted operation life of any high-quality clutch should be approximately 100,000 kilometers of standard (average) driving. Luk and Valeo “fit” into this framework without any problems thanks to excellent materials that withstand mechanical wear, friction and temperature “attacks” with honor. In addition, we can note that Valeo clutch discs are not only made of durable alloys, but also heat-treated, which prevents overheating, deformation and premature destruction.

And again, returning to the statistics: Valeo clutch parts on average “live” up to 150,000 kilometers, and the flywheel, with careful driving, can last forever.

Choosing a clutch kit for a car: Luk, Kraft or Valeo

Good day, dear motorists! Do you know what the most thankless task is? Right. Evaluate and compare. Especially among motorists. After all, it is known that the saying “who studied what” is especially strong among drivers.

Some people like Mercedes, while others like Moskvich. Moreover, in both cases, adherents of a particular part, company, brand will find a million arguments in their favor.

That is why we will not compare and say which clutch is better: Kraft, Valio or Luk. It's a matter of habit. Some drivers like a soft clutch, while others like a car with an automatic transmission in which the driver has no idea why the clutch pedal even exists.

In any case, you will choose a clutch without paying attention to anyone’s advice, but guided by your personal experience of using this or that clutch. And our review of the most common brands of automobile clutches will simply give you food for thought.

And you decide for yourself which clutch is better: Kraft, Valio or Luk. Naturally, after you try all three brands.

VALEO clutch – greetings from France or Korea

In general, it is difficult for high-quality automobile parts to survive in the Russian car market. There are too many people who want to fake them. This cup has not passed and the Valio brand has not passed away.

A counterfeit Valio clutch kit is, in principle, easy to track due to the low cost and quality of the components. Today on the market you can find Valio clutches and components from France, Italy, Spain and South Korea. Less from France.

Those motorists who have used the Valio clutch leave the most positive and kind reviews about it. The Valeo clutch is also called a “female” clutch because of its softness and smoothness.

At the same time, reliability and long service life are simply excellent in its market segment. With proper and competent use of the Valeo clutch, it lasts up to 150 thousand km. mileage The Valeo clutch disc is not afraid of overheating (within the permissible limits). The flywheel is practically eternal.

Luk clutch – with German meticulousness and quality

It is impossible to say how true the statistical information is, but it does exist. And it says the following: today the Luk clutch kit is installed on every 2nd car of the German automobile industry, and 4th car of the global automobile industry.

We won’t argue, maybe that’s true. Especially if you take into account the eternal marketing formula: price-quality, then the Luk clutch fits perfectly into it.

A distinctive characteristic of the LUK clutch, and reviews from Russian motorists confirm this, is the vibration damping characteristic of the clutch mechanism. The fact is that Luk clutches include a vibration damper for the driven disc and pressure plate.

Clutch Kraft: and we need... the Turkish coast

About the Kraft clutch, reviews from motorists are absolutely excellent. For the Russian car market, Kraft clutch kits are supplied from Turkish production, operating under a Kraft license (Germany). Common practice in the global economy.

Our motorists have not been paying attention to these nuances for a long time. Moreover, the Kraft clutch has rightfully won the hearts of Russian car enthusiasts.

The Kraft clutch is characterized by: soft release, resistance to overheating in intensive operation, long service life of the flywheel. The average clutch service life is 150 thousand km.

As a minus, drivers note the fragility of the release bearing. But in this case, a lot depends on the driver and his driving style.

Kraft brand clutches have firmly and for a long time occupied their niche in the Russian car market: excellent quality combined with the budget cost of the clutch kit, making it a rated clutch among specialists.

Here, perhaps, is all the overview information about the types of clutches that are relevant today. The choice is yours, and it is up to you to decide for yourself which clutch is better: Valeo, Kraft or Luk. Good luck in the difficult choice of the best of the best.

Luk VS Valeo: comfort

Perhaps driver comfort when driving is one of the few parameters in which Luk and Valeo clutches have fundamental differences. However, this does not mean that someone relies on convenience, and someone sacrifices it for the sake of durability - both brands provide comfortable riding conditions, they are simply achieved in different ways.

Valeo initially creates such a soft and smooth ride of the car that people often call it “feminine”. However, you should not mistakenly believe that Valeo clutch systems are intended only for sedate city driving: the parts perfectly withstand a wide variety of weather, climate and road situations - largely due to the fact that they are developed taking into account the conditions in which they will be used.

The main distinguishing feature of Luk is the use of an additional damping element that dampens vibrations and vibrations of the clutch discs, thereby providing excellent control characteristics on any route and speed.

Conclusion: both are comfortable and reliable, but Valeo clutch systems still have higher smoothness and softness of movement.

Luk VS Valeo: operating features

Finally, the last (but by no means least important) parameter is how easily and quickly parts can be replaced, installed and maintained in technical condition. Overall, if you decide to buy a Valeo or Luk clutch, most likely your choice is to “set it and forget it” about the clutch system for the next 100,000 kilometers. Therefore, when making a comparison between two premium brands, perhaps only additional nuances are worth evaluating. Thus, complete with products, Valeo offers detailed instructions for installing spare parts in CD format with all relevant recommendations and manuals, as well as a special lubricant that helps prevent early seizing, wear and deformation of elements.

You can learn more about the brand and learn even more operational features and advantages of Valeo clutch systems here.

You can always select and buy a Valeo clutch kit in IXORA stores.
Our catalogs offer the widest selection of clutch kits and individual parts from all popular and reliable manufacturers, as well as other spare parts and accessories necessary for the smooth operation and care of your car. Our professional consultants will help you make the right choice! * Please check the applicability of parts specifically for your car with our managers by phone (calls within Russia are free).

How to distinguish an original from a fake

Currently, in the Russian and Ukrainian automobile markets, if you don’t know, you can fall for counterfeit products, which will be many times worse in quality than the original. Of course, when purchasing a fake, you cannot demand that the clutch work as well as the original product. Therefore, we will tell you how to distinguish a fake from the original, because today you can stumble upon counterfeits even in trusted stores.

Catalog number corresponding to the original product: clutch suitable for Citroen and Peugeot vehicles

• First of all, it is exploitation. The original Valeo SS works softer than the fake, you will feel it right away. It is extremely reliable and is not afraid of overheating. In practice, the service life of the device is at least 100 thousand km.
• Production. The company's original products are manufactured in France. If a French manufacturer is indicated on the packaging, then there is no doubt that this is the original. Counterfeits on the Russian car market can be found from China, Korea, Russia, European countries, and so on. One way or another, the original products come to us from France.
• The original SS is sealed in a plastic bag, and in the package you can also find a bag with a special lubricating fluid for the splines of the original Valeo production. This is one of the main differences between the original and the fake - counterfeit manufacturers do not equip their products with lubricants.
• CD with instructions. This difference is the main one - the original packaging always includes a disk with instructions for installing the CC.
• Fake products have shinier metal than shown in the photo. “Shrubs” operate on one principle: the brighter and shinier the product, the more likely it is to be bought.
• Price. The average cost of an original today on the Russian car market is at least 2,300 rubles (700 hryvnia). If you find Valeo variants costing from 1,500 rubles, then rest assured that this is a fake.
• Different geometry of clutch disc elements is possible.
• Inscriptions. The original manufacturer has a stricter text font on SS. Counterfeit manufacturers can use more interesting fonts. Also, the lettering may be a little blurry.

Helpful information:

• Valeo clutch: trouble-free transmission operation
• Car clutch. Part 1: basic concepts, components and common faults
• Car clutch. Part 2: clutch disc
• Car clutch. Part 3: the cylinder - the little thing on which the foundations are based
• Car clutch. Part 4: clutch basket
• Car clutch. Part 5: clutch cable - a small but necessary part

You can get professional advice when selecting a product by calling 8 800 555-43-85 (calls within Russia are free).