Clutch Replacement in Holne

Holne is a Dartmoor village of narrow lanes, steep hills and cattle grids on the edge of the National Park. Few places ask more of a clutch: low-speed hill starts, slow crawls over grids and tight turns all put heat into the friction plate.

That is where Automaster comes in. We trade as Clutchmaster at Longcombe Cross near Totnes, and clutch replacement and repair is the work we are known for.

Why does my clutch struggle on moorland hills?

Steep starts load the clutch more than anything. If it slips, smells hot or judders on a gradient, the friction material may be nearly gone. Also listen for a changed biting point or a pedal that feels heavy, sinks or sticks, since all of those can start small and worsen quickly.

Because moorland driving is so often slow and steep, it is worth testing the clutch on a gentle slope in a safe place if you suspect trouble, and telling us what you noticed.

• Slipping on steep pull-aways
• A burning smell on climbs
• Judder over cattle grids or at low speed
• A pedal that sinks

What will you replace and why?

A new clutch normally means a pressure plate, driven plate and release bearing, fitted together. The gearbox comes out for access, which is most of the labour, so we do not recommend reusing worn parts. The flywheel is inspected and, if it is a dual-mass type that has worn, replacing it is sensible at the same time.

Heat is the enemy of a clutch, and long slow hill climbs generate plenty. A friction plate that has overheated can glaze, which makes it slip even before it is fully worn, and that is why the pressure plate is replaced with it.

Could a leak or cable be to blame?

Yes. A hydraulic clutch can fail through a leaking slave or master cylinder, a damaged pipe or air in the lines, and a cable may stretch or break. These can feel just like a worn clutch. We check the system before recommending parts, and we will say clearly if a repair is all that is needed.

A pedal that suddenly drops to the floor on a Dartmoor hill is not something to nurse home. Stop somewhere safe, because losing drive on a steep, narrow road is dangerous for you and anyone behind.

What affects the time and cost of the work?

The car decides much of it, because access varies between models. Add a flywheel, hydraulic parts or other faults found during the strip-down and the job grows. For that reason we ask you to ask for a quote, with the registration and a description of what the pedal is doing.

If your car has done a lot of rural miles, mention it. Short, slow, hilly driving shapes the way a clutch wears, and it helps us explain what we find when we inspect it.

Do you cover Holne, and where is the garage?

We do. Holne is one of the Dartmoor-edge villages whose drivers use us, along with Buckfastleigh, Buckfast, Dartington and South Brent. Automaster is at Longcombe Cross, Longcombe, near Totnes.

On steep moorland roads, a clutch that will not hold is a safety issue, so please do not keep driving a car that slips badly or will not engage.