Clutch Replacement and Clutch Repair in Devon

Clutches are what we are known for. Automaster trades as Clutchmaster at Automaster, and we are at Longcombe Cross near Totnes, looking after petrol and diesel cars for drivers across South Devon.

Not every clutch problem needs a whole new clutch, and not every gear-change problem is the clutch. Below we explain the symptoms, what is replaced and why, and what to tell us when you ask for a quote. We do not give prices here.

How do I know if my clutch needs replacing?

The classic signs are slipping, where the revs rise but the car does not pick up speed, and judder when pulling away. Other signs include a biting point that has moved very high or feels vague, a heavy pedal, a pedal that sinks or sticks to the floor, a burning smell and difficulty selecting gears.

Tell us when it happens: pulling away, on hills, when pulling a trailer or carrying a load, or all the time. If the car will not go into gear or the pedal stays down, do not keep driving it.

What is included in a clutch replacement and fitting?

A new clutch kit normally includes the pressure plate, the driven plate (the friction disc) and the release bearing. These parts wear together, so they are replaced together. Fitting a new disc against a worn pressure plate or an old bearing would mean paying for the same labour again soon.

To reach the clutch, the gearbox usually has to come out, which is why labour is a large part of the job. The time and cost depend on the car, how hard the gearbox is to remove and which parts are needed, so ask for a quote with the make, model, year and engine size.

Do I need a new flywheel, including a dual-mass flywheel?

The flywheel is the heavy disc the clutch presses against. When we have the clutch off, we inspect it for scoring, heat damage and wear. Many modern cars have a dual-mass flywheel, which has springs and dampers inside to smooth out engine vibration. These can wear, and symptoms include rattling at idle, judder and noise when starting or stopping the engine.

Some flywheels can be skimmed, others must be replaced, and a dual-mass unit is generally better replaced with a new clutch. We will tell you what we find, but only after inspection.

Could it be a hydraulic or cable fault instead?

Yes. Not all clutch problems are a worn clutch. Many cars use a hydraulic system with a master cylinder, a slave cylinder and a pipe between them. A leak, a failing cylinder or air in the system can cause a sinking pedal, a pedal that stays down or difficulty selecting gears. Cable clutches can stretch or snap, giving a heavy or loose pedal.

These repairs are often smaller than a full clutch replacement, which is a good reason to diagnose first. Check the brake and clutch fluid reservoir if you can, and tell us if the level is dropping.

Should I repair the clutch or replace it?

Repair is right when the fault is in the hydraulics or cable and the clutch itself is sound. Replacement is right when the friction material is worn, the plate is damaged or the flywheel is at fault. A worn clutch cannot be repaired by adjustment.

What affects the time and cost is the vehicle, the accessibility of the gearbox, whether a flywheel is needed and whether other parts such as seals are found to be leaking. We do not promise a fixed turnaround, but we will explain the job after inspection.