Aug. 25, 2025
Automobiles
It’s often thought to be the sportier way to drive. It’s also thriftier to buy.
Cars with a manual transmission can be extremely enjoyable and engaging as you shift through the gears, plus they’re often thousands of dollars less to purchase.
But a manual transmission has a common repair that you can’t avoid – clutch replacement.
Depending on the model you drive, it could be 40,000km to 100,000km or more between clutch disc replacement intervals, but you can always count on it being necessary sooner or later.
When you’re changing the clutch disc, there are other components you should take a look at replacing at the same time.
It could save you aggravation and money down the road.
Thrust bearing
When you depress the clutch pedal, the clutch fork engages the pressure plate with a thrust bearing, also known as a release bearing or throw-out bearing.
It lets the clutch spin freely while you change gears.
This rather rudimentary bearing takes a lot of abuse over time and can easily develop wear from rough use, lack of lubrication, and improper clutch adjustment.
For the small cost of replacing the thrust bearing, it’s a great time to change it while replacing the clutch disc.
Pressure plate
Considering changing just the clutch disc in your car? You might want to reconsider.
Sure, you could take the cheapest repair but you’re trusting the pressure plate will hold up for a second go-round.
The springy fingers on the pressure plate can bend, crack, or even lose tension.
When you’re having your clutch disc replaced, seriously consider replacing the pressure plate as well.
Slave cylinder
The slave cylinder is a small hydraulic arm that presses the clutch fork.
It has one function: moving in and out as you press the clutch pedal.
You might not think it’s a concern, but you put lots of faith in your slave cylinder’s operation with every drive, and it will eventually leak or seize.
While the transaxle is out to change the clutch, have the clutch slave cylinder replaced as well.
It is an external part, so if you decide to put it off, it’s not a big deal to change after the fact either.
Clutch fluid
The last thing you want while you’re driving is for your clutch pedal to stick at the bottom when you press it down.
That can happen if your clutch hydraulic system has moisture in it and components corrode.
It’s expensive to fix too. It’s easy to prevent corrosion from the inside out, and it’s through regular maintenance.
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When you change the clutch disc, have the mechanic drain, refill, and bleed the clutch fluid between the master cylinder and the slave cylinder.
As well, change the fluid at its regularly scheduled maintenance interval.
Transmission fluid
Have you recently changed the fluid in the gearbox?
Manual transmissions, though extremely durable, still require proper lubrication and care.
During your clutch replacement, spend a few extra dollars having the transmission fluid drained and refilled.
It will help prevent gear noise and potential gearbox problems down the road.
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Clutching systems control the transmission of power, allowing the vehicle to move and shift gears smoothly. They engage and disengage by connecting rotating drive and line shafts. The two shafts function as input and output sources of power for the vehicle. The clutch allows the engine to keep running at full stop without disengaging the gears. A clutch kit comprises three basic components: throw-out bearing, clutch disc, and pressure plate. A fully-fledged clutch apparatus includes the flywheel, springs, levers, and linkage.
Most people think that clutch kits are used only for vehicles with manual transmission, but the fact is, all automobiles use clutches, even those with automatic trannies. So whether you drive a stickshift or not, if you notice that your RPM gauge is higher than usual and your vehicle takes a long time to accelerate, you have to replace your old clutch.
With all the products available in the market, choosing the right clutch kit for your vehicle can be tricky. Apart from the differences in specs and features, every kit also varies in application.
Types of Clutches
Most clutch manufacturers place a lot emphasis on simplicity of basic clutch assembly without compromising performance and durability. Use of drive straps has increased over the years in a bid to simplify torque transfer and pressure plate disengagement. Manufacturers employ laser welding to attach drive places to the disc ring in a way that improves heat dissipation.
How to Replace Your Car's Busted Clutch
Having trouble shifting gears? Notice any slipping or grinding sounds from the engine during acceleration? If your answer is yes, then your clutch has probably gone south. When this happens, make sure you switch it as soon as possible-get a new clutch kit. Driving with a damaged clutch system does not only affect vehicle performance, it may also put lives in peril.
Before deciding to install this component by yourself, make sure you have a detailed manual to help you out in the task. Improper replacement of the clutch may damage your transmission permanently, so be sure you are experienced enough to do this on your own.
Tools:
Step 1: Use the screwdriver and wrenches to disconnect all the exterior parts around the clutch, including the negative battery cable, clutch cable, exhaust pipes, speedometer, hydraulic cylinder hose, etc.
Step 2: Grab the jack and lift your vehicle to access the transmission system. Use the hoist to support the engine or spread the load by putting the jack under the oil pan and using a piece of wood.
Step 3: Remove the busted clutch by taking out the transaxle, pressure plate, flywheel, and clutch disc. Take note of the marks on the components to index them properly. Make sure there is no sign of leaking around the engine seal, and that the needle bearings are properly lubricated.
Step 4: Clean the area around the crankshaft. Get your clutch kit and install the new components: flywheel, clutch disc, pressure plate, etc. You can use the clutch alignment tool to check that the parts are properly aligned.
Step 5: Re-install all the components you removed: transaxles, bolts, mounts, hoses, gaskets, cables, etc. Once everything has been set to place, lower your vehicle.
Step 6: Turn on the engine. Check your clutch pedal and perform a road test to see if gear shift and acceleration improved.
Conclusion
The clutch is located between the engine and the transmission. It transfers mechanical energy to the gearbox. Over time the clutch will wear down. This is especially true if you live in an area with highly congested traffic that requires you to regularly stop and change gears. As a result, you may notice a change in your vehicle speed while driving, or even clutch slippage whilst on the road. When this happens, you will need to buy a clutch kit and replace the entire system. The clutch kit will include all the components necessary, such as the clutch (hub, cover plate, and rivets), fly wheel, friction surfaces and pressure plate. Luckily, it’s easy to buy a clutch kit online, and you can replace it relatively easily.
If you are looking for more details, kindly visit clutch parts(ru,fr,pt).
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