The clutch is one of the most essential parts of the vehicle – and one of the toughest. It works the hardest as it transfers the rotational power from the engine to the wheel, and rarely wears out. But when it does, it usually calls for an expensive repair. Besides learning how to know when the clutch is bad, you must also take immediate action to check and fix it before it needs a replacement.
One of the most common bad-clutch symptoms is too much rigidity or slackness when pushing the clutch pedal. We have compiled a detailed roundup of bad car clutch symptoms to help you respond to the problem at your earliest and avoid any further inconveniences.
How to Know When the Clutch is Bad
Let’s look at a detailed overview of the signs your clutch is going bad to avoid hefty costs for repair.
Slippage of the Clutch
A slippery clutch is most often the earliest sign of a bad clutch. It happens when it can’t generate enough friction as it usually did, normally the result of general wear and tear or a transmission leak. Other causes of a slippery clutch can be a damaged pressure plate due to the abrasion of the whole part or one of the parts that may have become blocked. If these parts begin to rust out, the clutch becomes quite a lot slippery. Similarly, if you also notice that your car is moving slowly as compared to the engine that’s running quick, there may be a fault with your car’s clutch.
The Car is Not Going into Gear
The next sign on the list is when the car won’t go into correct gear. If you drive often, you would instantly know something is wrong when your clutch pedal won’t feel right or not catch as it should. In case that you have a hydraulic system, you must check whether it has been blocked with air or not because this completely alters the pressure amounts throughout the system. The pressure must reach the correct level within the system for your clutch to work properly.
In other instances when the car does not contain a hydraulic system but the clutch is making functional issues, you may want to see the mechanic. A professional can run more diagnostic tests on the vehicle to determine the root cause.
Loud Noises When Accelerating
Another notable symptom of a bad car clutch is the onset of loud noises when you try to accelerate the vehicle. This happens when the clutch cannot maintain a hard grip on the flywheel due to wear and tear of the clutch itself or the flywheel. Heat is another factor that mostly contributes to the abrasion of these parts. In case you experience these symptoms, take your vehicle to the local mechanic as any delay can wear them down even worse and cause hefty repairing costs.
Noises When Neutral
Cars with a bad clutch will make noises even when it is in neutral, only to quieten down when the clutch pedal is pressed. This usually occurs due to a wear-down of input shaft bearing that now needs replacement. If you are experiencing this problem, you must get it checked and replaced as it can affect the surrounding parts as well.
The Clutch “Chirps”
There is a chirping noise that emerges when the faulty clutch is pressed, indicating a bad throw-out bearing. With time, bearings start to age and become worn out, rusted, and rough. The lubricant dries off, causing the metal to rub on another metal that’s not supposed to. As a result, other parts begin to wear out too. If you catch the chirping noises of the clutch at the right time, you can also save other parts from becoming ragged.
The Clutch “Grinds”
Another type of noise included in the signs your clutch is going bad is the weird “grinding” sound in the midst of driving. Such an onset indicates problems with the throw-out bearing or the pressure plate. As you release the clutch when you press the pedal, it should be done so without any noise to have the car smoothly change gears. With a bad pressure plate, however, changing gears causes them to grind, in turn making the grinding noise as the clutch has become faulty. Make sure this does not continue for long as it can damage the car’s transmission if it’s not properly fixed on time.
Average Lifespan of the Clutch
The average life of a typical clutch is from 50,000 to 100,000 km of working. However, with that said, many drivers have ruined their clutches much sooner while others have used theirs for much longer. At the bottom line, the life expectancy of the clutch is solely dependent on how well the car is taken care of, maintained, and inspected timely to spot any worn-down parts.
In some instances, the lifespan of the clutch is rarely in your control, such as if you live in hot climates that heats the transmission fluid and damages parts of the car. As compared to colder climates, cars in hot temperatures tend to suffer a bad clutch more often.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What Happens If I Keep Driving With a Bad Clutch?
If you keep driving with a bad clutch, it will likely cause further damages to the clutch, the gearbox, the shifter, or the starter motor. Bad clutches can adversely affect the entire vehicle, so make sure you do not delay the repair. In any case, continuing to drive with a bad clutch must always be the last resort.
Above-discussed are some of the common problems with vehicle clutch that usually incur after a certain time. A bad clutch is like a termite that can eat away at other parts of the car, increasing the repairing costs and worsening the situation. Learn how to know when clutch is bad so that you can capture the root of the problem early on and get it fixed as soon as possible. If it’s delayed, you must be prepared to pay hefty repairing prices before your car is able to be driven again.
Since the clutch is an important part of a vehicle, make sure when you buy a second-hand car in the UAE, do check that the clutch is in proper working condition. Besides, for used cars, you can check dubizzle. A large number of cars are up for sale of different automobile brands on the website that you may opt to buy as per your budget. Some popular brands available includes the following:
- Used BMW cars for sale in the UAE
- Second-hand Mercedes-Benz in the UAE for sale
- Used Audi for sale online in the UAE
- Second-hand Land Rover in the UAE for sale online
Stay tuned to UAE’s top auto blog for more information about car parts and accessories.
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