Clutch

What does the Clutch do?

The clutch engages or disengages the engine from driving the road wheels of your car.
If you press the palms of your hands together lightly you will find they can slip over each other when you twist them.  Then the harder you press them together they will reach a point where they won't slip over each other.  This is the principle of friction plate operation and is what allows the engine's power to be delivered smoothly from its flywheel to the drive wheels.  Slight slippage of the friction plate against the flywheel occurs as you take away from a standing start and also as you change gear, so the clutch is a part which suffers wear and tear as part of its natural operation.

Additional wear and tear occurs to the friction plate if you use the clutch to hold you on inclines, or drive resting your foot on the clutch-pedal instead of on the floor.

Normal Wear & Tear

There is no such thing as "normal" wear and tear as we all have different styles of driving so some clutches may last 80,000 miles and others (used mainly around town or in hilly areas) may only last 30,000miles!  Additionally there are complications with diesel engines where the flywheel instead of being solid is a two part sprung item (called the dual mass flywheel ~ DMF) which wears at a similar rate of attrition to the clutch and which usually more than doubles the cost!

Replacement by Top Marques

Establishing whether replacement is needed is done by us roadtesting the vehicle and checking whether the clutch slips under load or the DMF is rattling as the load is applied to it.

We are happy to quote for either genuine or aftermarket parts replacement so if you are experiencing high rev's and little speed or are hearing noises every time you change gear or pull away, book in for a check-up soon.

01462 - 437142

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