Clutch Replacement in Kingston

Kingston is a village of narrow, high-hedged lanes close to the coast, and anyone who lives there knows how much a car's clutch gets used. Constant slow driving between passing places, tight junctions and the odd hill start all take their toll, and holiday traffic in the busy season only adds to it.

At Automaster, trading as Clutchmaster, clutches are what we are known for. If your clutch is slipping, judders when you pull away or has gone heavy, we can inspect it, explain what is wrong and quote for clutch replacement, clutch repair or flywheel work. We are at Longcombe Cross near Totnes.

How do I know my clutch needs replacing?

The usual signs are slipping, where the engine revs rise but the car does not pick up speed, and judder when pulling away. You may also notice a high or vague biting point, a pedal that feels unusually heavy, or a burning smell after a hill start or a long queue.

Difficulty selecting gears can point to the clutch too, although it can also be a gearbox problem. That is why we inspect before we say what is needed.

• Slipping under acceleration
• Judder when pulling away
• Biting point very high or vague
• Burning smell after hard use

What is actually replaced in a clutch job?

A new clutch kit normally means a pressure plate, a driven plate (the friction disc) and a release bearing. These wear together and sit in the same place, so fitting some and leaving the others usually means taking the gearbox out again soon after.

Many cars also need the flywheel checked. A dual-mass flywheel can wear internally and cause rattle or judder, and if it is worn it should be replaced with the clutch rather than left to spoil the new parts.

Is it a clutch repair or a full replacement?

Not every clutch problem means a new kit. A pedal that sinks or sticks, or a clutch that will not disengage cleanly, can come from the hydraulic side: a failing master or slave cylinder, a leaking pipe or air in the system. Cable-operated clutches can have a stretched or worn cable.

If the fault is hydraulic or cable, a repair may be all that is needed. We will tell you which it is once the car has been inspected, not before.

Do you cover Kingston and where do I bring the car?

Yes. Drivers from Kingston, and from Bigbury, Ringmore, Modbury and Kingsbridge, bring their cars to us at Longcombe Cross, Longcombe, near Totnes, TQ9 6PL.

If the clutch is slipping badly or the pedal has failed, think twice before driving on country lanes where you may need to stop and start repeatedly. Ask us for advice on getting the car to us safely.

What affects the time and cost of a clutch replacement?

The make and model matter most, because some cars need far more stripping down to reach the gearbox than others. The parts needed also change the picture: a clutch kit alone is one job, a clutch kit plus a flywheel is another, and a hydraulic repair is different again.

When you ask for a quote, give us the registration, the symptoms and whether it is petrol or diesel. Mention any warning signs such as a burning smell or a pedal that has dropped to the floor.