Clutches
Smooth gear changes again
Clutches wear with normal use. Slipping, difficulty changing gear, a high or low pedal or odd noises are the usual signs — and ignoring them can leave the car undriveable.
Our technicians diagnose and repair all types of clutch problem, from adjustments to full replacements, using quality parts.
If you’re having clutch trouble in Dundee, get in touch for an inspection and a clear quote.
- Clutch replacementFor all major makes.
- DiagnosisSlipping, judder, noise or a heavy pedal.
- Cars and vansIncluding light commercials.
- Quote firstBefore any work starts.
Signs the clutch is going
- Slipping — the revs rise but the car does not pick up speed to match, most obvious in a high gear or on a hill
- A biting point that has crept much higher or lower than it used to be
- Difficulty getting into gear, or a crunch going into first or reverse
- Judder as you pull away
- A rumble or squeal that changes when you press the pedal
- A burning smell after hills or heavy traffic
What a replacement involves
The clutch sits between the engine and the gearbox, so getting to it means separating the two. Because most of the cost is in the access rather than the parts, the driven plate, the cover and the release bearing are normally replaced together — going back in later for a bearing that was left alone is a false economy.
Many modern cars use a dual-mass flywheel, which damps out engine vibration and is a wearing item in its own right. If it has play or has broken down, replacing the clutch alone will not cure a judder. We check it while the gearbox is out and tell you what we find before going further.
What shortens clutch life
Riding the pedal, holding the car on the clutch on a hill instead of the brake, slipping it to creep in traffic, and towing or carrying heavy loads. A clutch is a wearing part, but driving style makes an enormous difference to how long it lasts.
Clutches: common questions
How long should a clutch last?
There is no meaningful figure — it depends far more on how and where the car is driven than on mileage. Stop-start town driving and hill starts wear one out much faster than steady motorway miles.
Can a clutch be adjusted instead of replaced?
On some cars with a cable clutch, yes, and it is worth checking first. Most modern hydraulic systems are self-adjusting, so if it is slipping the friction material has usually gone.
Is it safe to keep driving with a slipping clutch?
It will get worse, not better, and a clutch that fails completely leaves you unable to drive. Get it looked at while you can still choose when.
Do you replace clutches on vans?
Yes — cars, vans and light commercials.
Ready when you are