Clutch Replacement in Modbury

Modbury is a small South Hams market town on the A379, with narrow streets, steep approaches and rural lanes in every direction. Tight turns, hill starts and the occasional wait behind a slow vehicle all lean on the clutch.

Automaster, trading as Clutchmaster, is at Longcombe Cross near Totnes. Clutches are our speciality, and we take time to explain what is wrong before suggesting work.

What does a worn clutch do on steep streets?

On a steep approach a tired clutch slips or judders, and you may notice burning smells afterwards. Other warnings include a high or vague biting point, a heavy pedal, and a pedal that sinks or sticks. If gears start grinding, get it looked at soon rather than waiting.

If you can, note whether the problem is worse when the engine is warm. Heat-related slipping or judder helps us narrow down whether the friction plate, the flywheel or the hydraulics are to blame.

• Slipping on a hill start
• Judder when moving off
• Biting point very high
• Burning smell after steep starts

What happens when you replace a clutch?

We remove the gearbox and fit a new pressure plate, driven plate and release bearing together. The flywheel gets a careful check, and a dual-mass flywheel that has worn is replaced alongside, since a poor flywheel can shorten the new clutch's life.

Gearbox removal is the bulk of the work, and that is why we advise a full kit rather than one part. Replacing the pressure plate, driven plate and release bearing together means you are unlikely to face the same labour again soon.

Might it be something other than the clutch?

Yes. Hydraulic faults such as a failing slave or master cylinder, a leaking pipe or air in the system can make the pedal sink or feel odd, and cable faults can do the same. We inspect first, then tell you whether a repair will do or a new clutch is needed.

Not every pedal complaint is a clutch fault. A sticking pedal may be down to a worn pivot or a cable fault, and we check those before suggesting anything bigger. The aim is the right fix, not the largest job.

How do I get a sensible clutch quote?

Please ask for a quote and tell us the registration, the symptoms and how long they have been present. The car, the access to the gearbox, any flywheel and any hydraulic parts all drive the time and cost, so the more detail you give, the clearer our answer.

On steep, narrow streets you need a car that pulls away when you ask it to. If yours hesitates, slips or lurches, it is worth taking seriously, and a quick inspection will usually tell us the likely cause. We then explain the options in plain terms and you decide.

Do you cover Modbury and where do I take the car?

We do. Automaster is at Longcombe Cross, Longcombe, near Totnes, and we see drivers from Modbury as well as Ermington, Ivybridge, Kingston and Kingsbridge.

If the clutch is slipping badly or will not disengage, do not keep driving on those narrow lanes and steep approaches.

Our workshop is a full garage, so if we find something else while we are looking, such as a worn brake component or a suspension fault, we will tell you rather than leave it. Anything else is your decision.