How Have I destroyed My Clutch

Cocksure

Just over 9k mileage, most of it is city driving so I do feel like my foot is never off the clutch even without riding it!

The garage has been pretty good at claim under the warranty before so I'm inclined to believe it's my fault, besides deep down, I know what I've been doing isn't good for it, and to be perfectly frank, I'm already in one dealership dispute so the idea of another doesn't appeal.

My Ford thread clearly (as does this) shows my lack of knowledge in the area so would mean paying for another inspection & report etc. I don't get the impression that they are taking advantage so I'm included to accept it. Just got to alter how I'm driving is all

duffbeerdrinker

You can definitely kill a clutch in 6 months!

Probably not relevant to your situation but I had a Peugeot 406 a few years ago and the clutch was totally worn out in about 6 months (from memory).  The dealer tried to charge my employer for the clutch until I got involved.  I was 100% sure that I didn't ride the clutch or anything out of the norm.  After some investigation they agreed that it was a fault present from new.  The clutch was not set/installed correctly and so it was slipping very slightly even with my foot away from the pedal.
After it was replaced I noticed how much more power the car had due the clutch being fully engaged!

un1eash

I find it very hard to believe a clutch has only lasted 9k miles unless there's a fault with it, even if it was given a hard time.

SyStemDeMoN

Different cars have the 'Bite' point at different heights of the clutch pedal.  I would say that this car had the 'Bite' point at a higher level than you used to have.  Once you are moving you should really have your foot completely off the clutch.  

Even so, 6 months is a very short time.  Did you ever notice the smell of a clutch burn ?

My mother-in-law rides the clutch pulling off and changing gear and we get the smell often but she has never killed a clutch.

IronGiant

I can believe it, if it was used as a foot rest and used instead of neutral when stationary.

Cocksure

Apart from when the vehicle was new then no to any smell on hill starts.

Thinking about it though I have at times noticed a burning smell on long journeys which I always put down to just smells in the area I was in, when it must have been from clutch riding for so long a time

NorvernRob

Agreed. Unless you’re literally sat on a hill every day holding it on the clutch for extended periods (and you’d smell it burning horribly), then it has to be faulty in some way to die within 9k. My Mrs rides the clutch a fair bit but has never killed a clutch yet, including having a car from new for 8 years and 70k.

Cocksure

Clutch was fully pressed down, but I did do it often many many times a day

NorvernRob

It sounds to me like something wasn’t set up quite right and the clutch was slightly engaged under normal driving.

To not just kill the clutch plate, but the flywheel and bearings too is very suspicious to me.

IronGiant

That still allows the clutch release bearing to wear excessively, alas.  But as above, after 9K?  
Did it simply wear out "prematurely" or fail catastrophically?