Clutch Pedal Feels Loose or Spongey. Clutch Pedal is Hard to Engage. Transmission Makes A Grinding, Whirling or Chirping Noise in Neutral. Grinding Occurs When Shifting Gears.
Driving with a failed clutch can be dangerous, as when a clutch goes bad it can break apart, leaving you without a vehicle. Your mechanic will be able to make a proper diagnosis and recommended repair to get you back on the road.
If you hear a high-pitched squeaking as you press the pedal then you know that you have a problem with your clutch. This sort of noise is usually associated with problems with the clutch release or throw-out bearings. Press the clutch pedal all the way down. Again, listen out for any unusual sounds coming from the car.
A clutch should last you between 50,000 and 100,000 miles before you need to replace it. When their lifespan comes to an end, it's vital to change your clutch as soon as possible as its vital to maintaining healthy performance of your vehicle.
The cost to repair a clutch can range between $500 to $2,500. It really depends on the car. Performance cars, exotic cars, and European cars are more expensive to replace the clutch than Japanese economy cars. Four wheel drive vehicles cost more than two wheel drive vehicles.
As a rule of thumb, most clutches will last in the region of 60,000 miles before the need for replacing. However, we have had to replace some at around 30,000 (or less), and we've seen some clutches that have continued to keep going past 100,000 miles.
“Riding the clutch” simply refers to the act of keeping the clutch pedal partially pressed down. This pushes the pressure pad against the clutch plate but doesn't engage completely, therefore creating more friction and wearing out the clutch faster.
Clutches tend to fail in one of two ways – either suddenly or gradually. With a sudden breakdown, the clutch ceases to work entirely and the car won't move. With gradual failure, you may experience problems such as the car not stopping when you press the pedal.
With the engine still off, press the clutch as far down as it goes then release it. A clutch that is in good condition should spring back to its original position quickly and have some resistance as you press down. On the other hand, if it gets stuck, moves slowly or feels bouncy then it's likely to be wearing out.
Luckily, clutch failure is usually a slow process, showing signs over a long period rather than one day leaving you stranded without warning; however, clutch problems left unchecked will result in just that.
There's a simple test you can perform that will identify either way. Turn the engine off and see if you can select a gear. If you can then it's usually clutch trouble; if you can't then the problem will lie with the gearbox or gear linkage.
The most wear and tear done to a clutch is when the pedal is only half depressed. Do use the brake to hold yourself stationary on a hill, rather than the clutch. Do take off in first gear, rather than third. As a convenience, too many people will cut the engine in third and take off the following day the same.
Many drivers will do this by holding on to the clutch biting point to keep themselves steady on the incline. But, by doing this, you're burning up the friction material on your clutch disc as the clutch will be spinning at one speed while the engine's pressure plate is moving at another.
What happens if you drive a car after the clutch burns out? If the friction lining is on, the flywheel is the first to fail. It's uneven overheating occurs. As a result, one part of the mechanism will be too hard compared to the other, which will lead to its deformation.
As a general rule, your car clutch will need to be replaced every 100,000 kilometres. However, you may need a clutch service or replacement more often depending on how you use your car.
How long does replacing a clutch take? The time it takes to replace a clutch can vary depending on the type of vehicle you have, but it's generally between two and six hours. For many, this means you could take your car into the garage in the morning and get it back the very same day!
First, we should note that it is never a good idea to drive a car with a broken clutch, as this can cause more damage to the vehicle. It should only be done as a final option. However, there may be a point when you need to move your vehicle and the clutch is broken.
It's a big, labour-intensive job. Just be glad the garage will do it for you, and if you need convincing, just have a look under your bonnet and ponder on how you'd get at the clutch yourself!
When performing a clutch replacement, it is best practice to replace the clutch disc, pressure plate, pilot bearing and throw out bearing. The flywheel is also resurfaced or replaced if it is beyond the service limit or if it is a dual mass flywheel (this type of flywheel is not machinable).
Replacing a clutch disc and pressure plate is probably on your “take it to the mechanic” list. It shouldn't be -- replacing a whole clutch assembly is something the skilled DIYer can do in a home garage or, as YouTube mechanic ChrisFix shows, a driveway.
If you are sure that your clutch has worn out beyond repair then you can potentially replace the clutch yourself at home. It is possible, but it is a relatively lengthy and complicated procedure. There are several fiddly steps where there is a wide scope for things to go wrong.