A clutch is that component of the car which connects two or more rotating shaft. It is responsible for monitoring the connection between the shaft coming from the engine and the shaft which control the wheels. It is a very important part of a car’s functioning system as the engine continuously generates power and thus has some parts which are constantly rotating; but because of the clutch of the car, the wheels are not spinning.
HOW DOES A CLUTCH WORK?
The motors running on gasoline or diesel generate power that ranges over a relatively smaller range of engine rpm (rpm stands for rotation per minute). Therefore, this transfer requires different gear ratio matching your rpm which the tyres turn to according to the desired speed. The clutch engages the motor for a short span of time required to shift or change gears.
THE LIFESPAN OF A CLUTCH
Like the other components of the car, the lifespan of a clutch is up to its maximum durability. The reason why the clutch will wear down is due to the friction between the clutch plate and the flywheel. Ideally, for a distance of about 50,000 miles, the clutch works just fine. The brand new cars have their clutch working efficiently for a distance of 80,000-100,000 miles.
SYMPTOMS OF A BAD CLUTCH
Following are some things worth noticing, which tell you about the condition of your clutch:
- Engine races while the car starts slowly
- Difficult to put the reverse gear
- Problem in getting the transmission into gear
- Noisy clutch pedal
- Squealing sound while pushing the pedal
- Pulsating clutch pedal
- Spongy or loose clutch pedal
- Bad smell coming from the clutch
DIAGNOSING A CLUTCH
Anything that is in movement can face wear and tear, and any part of the car can break or distort. If you are experiencing slipping or sticking in your vehicle, then it is probably time that you repair your clutch.
Replacing your clutch is a tedious task, and you need to have a lot of knowledge about it. If you are someone who has enough knowledge about the clutch and other parts, here are some steps that you can follow to replace your clutch:
POSITION THE CAR WITH A SAFE ALIGNMENT
Start with putting your car in a safe position and then raise the front end of the car using the car jack which should be placed just below the oil pan of the car.
DETACH THE TRANSAXLE
To get to the car clutch, removing the transaxle would be the primary step. For an easy transaxle removal process, release the clutch cable and positive battery cable first.
DISJOIN THE ENGINE MOUNT, REMOVE THE CLUTCH, AND REPAIR THE FLYWHEEL
Dismantle the bolts holding the engine mount after you are done unhitching the clutch cable and battery cable. Open the pressure plate and get the damaged clutch plate out. Check the flywheel for any probable damage, and if any, remove it entirely and fix those damages.
REINSTALL THE CLUTCH DISK AND TRANSAXLE
For installing the new clutch disk, slide it into its proper position and for the transaxle, bring it in line with the clutch disk spindle hole and push it forward to its correct position.
RELEASE THE JACK AND TEST THE CLUTCH
Put all the bolts back in place and lower down your vehicle by releasing the jack. Drive your vehicle around to check if the clutch is working properly or not.
KEEP YOUR CLUTCH IN CHECK
If you do not have any knowledge about clutch replacement, it is best to take it to a well-informed mechanic. Superior Auto Hub Clutch Repair Northampton has one the most experienced team of mechanics for thoroughly examining your car’s clutch system and fixing any defect.