Clutch Issues

Hello TacomaWorld! I am a new user to this site in terms of posting, but have used this for a quick reference many times before in regards to technical issues. I've got a real mess on my hands at the moment and would appreciate any feedback.

About a month ago I got rearended....wasnt too bad, but I did sustain some suspension damage and it pushed the rear axle around just a bit. Anyway I just picked up the truck from being repaired and the day after driving to work in the morning the clutch decided to call it quits. After having it at the dealership they took it apart and let me know the clutch disc is fine....the pressure plate however has some deep abnormal grooving on the fingers directly where the throwout bearing sits. They feel this is not due to normal use. It is a LUK clutch which I know have problems, but I only have 85 thousand miles on the truck and the clutch disc itself looks normal with good life left in it. I'm really stumped as insurance is not wanting to cover this....my technician working on the truck said this was rather strange wear, but he couldn't say if it was or was not attributed to the wreck. His best guess was that someone drove it onto a frame machine or moved it around the body shop with the clutch semi-bound up and caused the grooving. If you guys have ever heard of this or have any input I can share with the claims adjuster it would be MUCH appreciated. Heck even if you guys think it is pure coincidence let me know!

Thanks!
Cameron

 

Also I feel that I should share that I do some amount of towing....nothing strenuous....just a small fishing boat. They are replacing the clutch with an AISIN as well. I've heard good things about this clutch so any input here as well is much appreciated.