We had a great question come in this past week.
“The clutch on my manual car has been making all kinds of noises. Do I need an auto repair shop to replace my clutch, or is it something I can do myself?”
While many people enjoy driving a manual car, few actually understanding how they work.
In your automobile, your engine spins all the time, while your wheels do not. The clutch is the device to smoothly engage a spinning engine to the non-spinning transmission, controlling the slippage between them. Your clutch is used to regulate the power from the engine to the transfer of power to both the transmission and the wheels.
Regardless of whether you drive a manual or an automatic, the principle remains the same. Because your clutch is the vital component that allows your auto to run smoothly, replacing it at the proper time can literally be a lifesaver. Here are three warning signs:
Burning Smell
Your automobile might emit a burning smell, similar to the smell of burning rubber or an electrical fire. In some cases it may also generate smoke.
Sticking Clutch
As the hydraulic linkages fail, your clutch will come under more pressure. When you notice the pedals becoming harder to press or disengage, it may be an indication of clutch failure.
Slipping Out Of Gear
If the clutch is worn or there in an oil leak from the crankshaft to the clutch plate, your vehicle may slip out of gear for no apparent reason. You may also notice jerky movements as you operate your car.
While this is not a comprehensive list of the things that can go wrong, chances are if your clutch is in need of repair, you’ve noticed at least one of these items.
Replacing your own clutch can be difficult at best. On a rear wheel drive vehicle, the driveshaft, transmission and bellhousing have to be removed from underneath the vehicle to get to the clutch. For a front wheel drive, replacing the clutch is even more challenging because it involves pulling the engine or dropping the transaxle.
What may take an auto repair shop hours to accomplish may be a never-ending chore for you. If you have any questions about your clutch, let Express Car Care have your auto running again in no time.
Wow, I had no idea that replacing the clutch could be such an in-depth task. A friend of mine had told me that it was simple enough, and that when it needed to be replaced I could do it myself. But after reading this, I know one thing for sure: a professional is replacing my clutch. Thanks so much for writing, I’ll definitely be sending this to all my friends who drive manuals.
In your article, you stated that your automobile might emit a burning smell, similar to the smell of burning rubber or an electrical fire and in some cases it may also generate smoke. My family and I are going on a long road trip next month and I am trying to get our car in the best shape possible. I wonder if most auto shops offer clutch repair services.
I’m glad I came across your article about whether I will need a mechanic to replace my clutch. Since a few days ago, I noticed my car has been slipping out of gears. Thank you for explaining how it can be an indication that my car needs a clutch replacement. Now, I can work my way through the basic maintenance required to keep my car operating at it’s best, but I am not sure if replacing the clutch is something I can do on my own. I have no experience removing the driveshaft, transmission, and bell housing. I guess I will need help from a mechanic, or I can just drive my car out to an auto repair shop.
I like how you explain that if you get a burning smell or a sticking clutch, your car might need the clutch to be replaced. My mom told me that she finds it difficult to use her car because she needs to step harder on the clutch pedal than she used to. I will help her take her car to a mechanic so that it can get checked and repaired if needed.