Auto, Car, Truck Clutch Repair, bad clutch symptoms, diagnostics

CLUTCH COMPONENTS

Manual transmission cars all have clutches that need periodic adjustment and replacement. The clutch system consists of the following components:

CLUTCH DISK:

The clutch disk is covered with a special lining (used to be asbestos: now it's a fiberglass composite). The lining material is similar to the material used on your brake pads. When you release the clutch and let it "slip", you are wearing the clutch lining material. When the lining material is all worn away, you need a clutch job, just like you need a brake job when your brake pads wear out. The Clutch disc is sandwiched between the pressure plate and the flywheel.

PRESSURE PLATE

This is a spring loaded device which presses the clutch disk against the flywheel. It should be replaced with each clutch job because its springs can weaken and its surface can warp or become unevenly worn. Reusing the same pressure plate can make a clutch job fail before its time.

THROWOUT BEARING (OR RELEASE BEARING):

Presses on pressure plate to release clutch. It should also be replaced with each clutch job.

PILOT SHAFT BEARING OR BUSHING:

(Some Cars) This part supports the input shaft of the transmission. It is located in the center of the flywheel or end of crankshaft.

FLYWHEEL:

This is the other surface the clutch disc rubs on. It usually must be resurfaced (turned) when the clutch is replaced.

LINKAGE:

Several ways are used to connect the clutch pedal to the throwout bearing and pressure plate. These include:

Clutch cable

Hydraulic clutch

Rod and bellcrank linkage

Symptoms of a misadjusted or malfunctioning Clutch Linkage

A clutch linkage adjusted too tight can cause slipping and wear out the clutch prematurely.
A clutch linkage which is too loose or fails can make the clutch not release and make it impossible to get into gear.

DIAGNOSTICS

Slipping

(Engine rev's up but car speed does not increase, or rpm's start going up as you go up a hill) is either a bad clutch disk or misadjustment of the clutch.

Won't go into gear or hard to shift

Either bad linkage (cable or hydaulic failures are common) or bad pressure plate.

Clutch makes noise

A whirring noise which changes as you press and release the clutch pedal can be a throwout or pilot bearing.

NOTE: I have a recording of a bad throwout bearing in my NOISE LIBRARY

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Thank you for visiting the ECONOMECHANIX WEB SITE. Please feel free to comment. We also serve the surrounding communities of Alachua, High Springs, Hawthorne, and Newberry! Gainesville has been my home since 1974, and I've loved Gvl and the Gators since I came here in the fall of 1974 to attend the University of Florida. I loved it so much I stayed and opened my car repair business. Originally it was out of the back of a 1963 Chevrolet wagon, but in 1977 a fellow mechanic and I opened an auto repair shop with actual walls, etc. I stayed in the same location for 26 years, and recently moved my operation to property I bought 15 miles east of Gainesville. I am doing most all the repairs myself now, having reduced my overhead from $1500 per month to practically nothing. I do work by appointment only. I mostly work only on my established customers cars, but I will occasionally take on new clients. E-mail me and I will either make arrangements to look at your car, or I will recommend you to someone who will.

George G. Scott, Jr.

CLUTCHES