The clutch is not a single part but a complex construction group. Its life span can vary depending on the car and the type of driving. In the rest of this article, because you need a fully functional car to go on holiday, we will explain everything you need to know about clutch replacement.
Clutch change: when should you do it?
Symptoms of a faulty clutch usually appear over time and unfortunately, the driver often notices them too late. In general, an annoying noise when changing gears indicates that the connection is not working properly. If this happens regularly, even if you press the clutch down properly, the wear is usually already so advanced that a clutch change can no longer be avoided in most cases.
If you are a handyman or mechanically skilled, you can change the clutch yourself. However, if this is not the case, it is better to call in a professional and take the car to the garage. For this, we advise you to ask for several clutch quotes, which will allow you to compare and choose the best offer at the best price.
How do I change a clutch?
To carry out a clutch change, you will need the following equipment:
gloves ;
hydraulic cylinder ;
support columns;
toolbox (cross wrench, ratchet, Torx wrench, screwdriver and torque gauge);
pumice ;
clutch centering device;
clutch kit.
There are several steps to changing a clutch, which we will outline below.
Preparation
Lift the car with the hydraulic jack and use the support columns to keep it fixed and stable. Remove the 2 front wheels with the cross key. To disconnect the battery, simply look for it on the hood and remove the negative terminal (black color), then positive (red color), never the other way around.
Dismantling
To access the clutch, you need to remove (in this order) the gearbox controls, the clutch control, the starter, the transmission and the gearbox sensors. You should have the clutch plate in front of you, which has six screws to remove. When the screws are removed, you can pull the plate and take out the disc itself.
Cleaning
The flywheel will be full of rust, so you will need to clean it. Do this very carefully, because if you damage it, you will have to buy a new one.
Mounting
Insert the new disc with the centering device, place the platter and put it in position. Once centered, press all the screws back in and remove the centering device to complete the clutch change. Replace all parts in reverse order. Start the engine and try the clutch. If everything works well, replace the wheels.
Clutch change: how to avoid this?
The clutch is designed so that it will not wear out if used properly. On vehicles with automatic transmissions, since everything works automatically and the driver does not intervene, the clutch can work well for up to 300,000 kilometres.
For vehicles with a manual transmission, it's a completely different story. Here, the service life is between 20,000 and 200,000 kilometres. The reason for this wide margin is that the proper functioning of the clutch depends mainly on the type of driving the driver does.
If you want to protect your clutch, it is essential that you observe the following points:
operate the clutch pedal fully;
remove your foot from the clutch as soon as you have shifted into gear;
Avoid unnecessary gear changes;
Finally, it is important to understand that by driving more smoothly, you will delay the need to change the clutch on your vehicle as much as possible. This will also save you money and optimize your holiday budget.
