How Do I Know When I Need a New Clutch?
Clutches are engineered to resist the rigors of everyday driving. Depending on the type of vehicle and how it is driven, a clutch can serve drivers efficiently anywhere from 48,000 kilometres to 160,000 kilometres. Which brings us to the important question: what are the warning signs that your clutch needs repairing? soft, spongy feeling
If you drive your car every day, diagnosing issues with your clutch is easier than if you were to use your car sparingly. When your clutch starts feeling spongy or soft, and the feeling is more apparent when you release your clutch just before it catches, you can concur that an upgrade is due.
The clutch slips
One of tell-tale signs of a worn-out clutch in need of replacement is slippage. How do you know that your clutch is slipping? Mostly your clutch will slip. That means when you put it into gear and let go of the clutch the rpms don’t drop right away; instead they stay steady or rise, then drop.
What you can do is go about 8-15 kph, put your clutch in fifth gear, rev to about 4,000 rpm and drop the clutch. If the rpms don’t drop as soon as you let go of the clutch, then your clutch is slipping. If the rpms stay at 4,000 and drop off slowly, your clutch is slipping. But if your car’s rpms drop and your car dies, or tries to die then your clutch is fine.
Trouble changing gears
In an ideal situation, the gear change must be smooth. When your clutch is due for a replacement, it won’t be smooth and may shake quite a bit. These symptoms will be especially evident when reversing or moving into first gear.
A burning smell
When your clutch is failing, it is commonly accompanied by a burning smell. The smell comes from the friction of your slipping clutch.
An increasing biting point
As the clutch slips, the familiar biting point will change. When it fails, the biting point moves higher. The biting point of the clutch may be very high and at the extreme of the pedal travel as you lift the pedal up.
Visible damage
A vehicle’s clutch has a thrust bearing, the plate and the housing. If it is on its way out, make sure you change all three.