What Does a Clutch Replacement Actually Include?

Most of the cost of a clutch job is labour, because the gearbox has to be separated from the engine to reach the clutch. The parts themselves are fairly compact. What is included depends on the vehicle, the condition of surrounding components and what the inspection finds.

Knowing what is normally covered helps you compare quotes properly and spot when something has been left out. This is a general guide for manual petrol and diesel cars and vans.

What parts come in a clutch kit?

A standard kit has three main parts: the friction plate, also called the driven plate, the pressure plate or cover, and the release bearing. They wear together and are normally replaced together, since fitting only one can shorten the life of the others.

Some vehicles use a different arrangement, such as a kit with a dual-mass flywheel or a concentric slave cylinder built into the release bearing. Which applies depends on the vehicle.

• Friction (driven) plate
• Pressure plate or cover
• Release bearing
• Fixing bolts where required
• Dual-mass flywheel or slave cylinder on some models

What happens to the flywheel during a clutch replacement?

The flywheel is the surface the clutch grips, so it is inspected for scoring, heat marks and wear. A single-mass flywheel can sometimes be resurfaced, while a dual-mass flywheel is normally checked and replaced if it is worn or faulty.

Skipping this check can leave a new clutch gripping a poor surface, which may bring back judder or early wear.

Are oil seals and other items part of the job?

With the gearbox out, it is sensible to look for oil leaks from the crankshaft seal and gearbox input shaft seal. Oil on a new clutch ruins it, so a leaking seal is usually dealt with at the same time.

Other items that may be looked at include the pilot bearing where fitted, the clutch fork and pivot, and the slave cylinder if it is concentric. Whether any are needed depends on the vehicle and condition, so the final list is only confirmed after inspection.

What affects the cost of a clutch replacement?

Cost drivers are the make and model, how long the gearbox takes to remove, whether a dual-mass flywheel or concentric slave cylinder is fitted and whether extra parts such as seals are needed. Four-wheel drive and some compact engine bays take more time.

When you ask for a quote, give the registration, engine size, symptoms and mileage if you know it. The more detail you give, the closer the quote will be, though it can only be firmed up after inspection.

What happens after the new clutch is fitted?

A new clutch usually needs a bedding-in period, so avoid heavy loads and harsh starts for the first few hundred miles unless your handbook or the garage says otherwise.

If your pedal feels different afterwards, that is normal to a small degree; if anything feels wrong, ask for it to be checked rather than carrying on. Slipping, judder or a pedal that will not release fully are all worth reporting straight away.

It also helps to keep any paperwork from the job and to ask what was found during the work, such as leaking seals or a worn flywheel, so you understand what was done and why.