Clutch Replacement in Bickington

Bickington sits on the road between Newton Abbot and Ashburton, close to the A38 and the edge of Dartmoor. Gradients, junction starts and mixed fast and slow driving put a clutch through its paces, and drivers here know when something feels off.

Automaster, trading as Clutchmaster, can help. We are based at Longcombe Cross near Totnes and welcome drivers from Bickington, Newton Abbot, Liverton, Heathfield and Buckfastleigh with clutch trouble.

What does a failing clutch feel like on hilly roads?

Hills expose weak clutches first. You pull away on a slope and the revs flare without the car moving, or you accelerate up a gradient and the engine note rises while speed stays flat. That is slipping, and it tends to get worse once the friction material starts to overheat.

Other signs include a high or vague biting point, a heavy pedal, juddering as the clutch engages, or a pedal that sinks slowly to the floor. Any of these deserves a look.

• Revs rising on hills without more speed
• Judder when engaging
• Heavy or spongy pedal
• Pedal sinking or sticking
• Burning smell after a climb

How is a new clutch fitted?

The job starts with removing the gearbox so we can reach the clutch assembly. We then fit a new pressure plate, driven plate and release bearing as one set, after checking the flywheel, crankshaft seal and gearbox input shaft for wear or leaks.

Replacing only the friction disc rarely makes sense. If the pressure plate has weakened springs or the bearing is rough, the car could be back on the ramp soon after.

When is flywheel replacement needed?

A dual-mass flywheel is common on modern diesels and many petrol cars. It absorbs engine vibration but can wear internally, causing rattles at idle, judder or a clutch that wears quickly. Heat spots, cracks or scoring on the face may need replacement or, on suitable solid flywheels, machining.

We examine it with the clutch out, so you get an informed recommendation rather than a guess.

Is it a clutch fault or a hydraulic fault?

If your pedal feels odd but the car is not slipping, the fault may sit in the hydraulics: a leaking slave cylinder, tired master cylinder, damaged pipe or air in the system. Cable systems can stretch or snap. Fixing the actual fault can sometimes be simpler than a full clutch job.

We would not promise a repair until the car has been inspected, as the real cause is sometimes deeper than it first appears.

Can you help drivers from Bickington?

Yes. Our garage is at Longcombe Cross near Totnes and customers from the villages around Newton Abbot, Ashburton and the Dartmoor edge bring cars to us. When you ask for a quote, give us the registration, symptoms and engine type. Cost in words depends on the model, access, flywheel condition and whether a hydraulic part is involved.