Clutch Replacement

Typical Cost: Medium
Mobile Repair? Possible on smaller engined vehicles under 1.6 litre
Typical Lead Time: 24 - 48 hours due to the repair time required

What does a clutch do?

The clutch on a vehicle is a friction plate which, when engaged, transfers the turning force of the engine, through to the gearbox and subsequently, the wheels.

How does a clutch work and what are the components?

When an engine is running, the pistons force a rotation of its crankshaft. At the end of this crankshaft is a flywheel. So all the time the engine is running, the flywheel is turning, like a spinning plate.

The clutch friction plates, when you release the clutch pedal, then press against this flywheel and transfer this turning force through the shaft into the gearbox. When the clutch pedal is pushed down, the clutch disengages from the flywheel and thereby slows or stops the gears from turning, allowing you to select another gear without grinding the cogs together.

Whilst it may seem the clutch is a complex unit, it is in fact relatively simple in its base format. The components are a friction plate, a cover and a bearing, with a mechanism to “pull” it away from the turning flywheel. This mechanism can either be cable or hydraulically operated by the clutch pedal.

If you consider it, it works in the opposite way to a brake. Press the brake pedal down and it forces the brake pads onto the disc. Press the clutch pedal down and it releases the pad from the disc.

Clutch’s are replaced as a kit. The kit will comprise of the friction plate, the cover and either a release bearing or a concentric slave cylinder. This latter part, known as a CSC, is an internal slave cylinder on hydraulically operated mechanisms. As it is prone to wear, these are automatically replaced where they are present.

There are of course other, more complex versions, with dual mass flywheels, semi automatic gearboxes (where the manual operation of the clutch is replaced by electrically controlled solenoids), but in essence the actual end way it works is the same.

Typical symptoms that require a clutch to be replaced.

If you drive a vehicle with a manual gearbox, at some point you will experience a clutch starting to wear, the same as you will with brake pads.

The friction material will start to wear thin and it will no longer provide sufficient contact with the flywheel and you will experience the clutch slipping, so here are some tell tale signs of this occurring;

• The engine speed will rise up rapidly, but you do not go any faster, especially up hill or under hard acceleration
• You notice an almost electrical sweet burning smell inside the car

Other symptoms though are prevalent

• You can engage a gear when the engine is off, but not when it is running
• The clutch pedal biting point (this is the point when you feel the vehicle moving from stationary for example) has become much higher up in the pedal travel
• You start to find it harder to move between gears and can often hear a crunch as you do so

What happens during a clutch replacement?

Changing a clutch is a routine repair for all mechanics and can be done at your location providing it is an engine of no more than 1600cc and providing it is safe to do so. If this isn’t the case, the vehicle will have to be done in a workshop.

Whilst there are variations between manufacturers, the basics are pretty similar.

The mechanic will;

• Raise the vehicle
• Split the gearbox from the engine
• Remove the old clutch unit
• Fit a new clutch kit
• Put everything back together
• Road test the vehicle

What does this repair cover?

Unless otherwise stated, the quote for your clutch to be replaced will cover;

• The cost of the clutch kit, the gearbox fluid to top up the unit and hydraulic fluid top up if required
• Coming to you (under 1600cc) or collection of the vehicle providing it is driveable
• Fitting of the parts
• Disposal of the old parts (unless you request to keep them)
• VAT (if applicable)
• 12 months parts and labour warranty

What is not included in the quote?

If your vehicle is over 1600cc and undrivable, there may be a recovery fee required in order to take the vehicle into the workshop.

Should you have a breakdown recovery contract that will cover this, then once the work has been allocated to a garage, you can contact the breakdown recovery provider and let them know where the vehicle is being taken to.

In a similar vein, if you have the facility to get the vehicle there yourself, then this too is ideal, otherwise you will need to budget around £100 for its collection.

What to search for on the ClickMechanic site?

Clutch replacement (Vehicles with a manual gearbox only)
Clutch replacement (Semi automatic gearbox)

How much does it cost to have a clutch replaced?

The cost of a clutch replacement depends on your car and what parts your car's manufacturer recommends.

Find out what you could save by visiting ClickMechanic
https://www.clickmechanic.com/jobs/clutch-replacement

FAQ’s

Can I supply my own parts?

No, we will not fit customer supplied parts unless they are a brand new item, purchased from a dealership with the receipt as proof of purchase. There is no flexibility over this due to insurance and warranty issues.

What happens if the mechanic finds that the clutch doesn’t require changing and the problem is due to another issue?

In this scenario, the mechanic will provide a no obligation quote for the correct repair. Should you accept this, the mechanic can alter the booking accordingly. If you decide not to go ahead with the alternative repair, the mechanic can change the booking to a call out and diagnostic booking and charge according to the time spent with the vehicle and call out.

What does the part warranty cover?

As with all items that are deemed consumable items, such as brake pads, tyres etc, the clutch comes with the same warranty. If there is an actual failure with the clutch unit, during normal operation, within the warranty period, then it will be replaced free of charge. However, the clutch will have to be removed and taken away for analysis by the parts provider before any refund can be made. Therefore, should this occur, you will be required to pay for the clutch to be replaced and will then be refunded if the part manufacturer accepts liability.

If the clutch has prematurely worn and is deemed to be down to the driver, then this is not covered by the warranty.

Associated repairs carried out by ClickMechanic.

Flywheel replacement
Clutch master cylinder replacement
Clutch slave cylinder replacement
Bleed hydraulic clutch release system
Clutch cable replacement
Gear linkage replacement