Clutch Replacement in Thurlestone

Thurlestone is a coastal South Hams village with a beach, golf and a hotel nearby, so in summer its narrow lanes carry a great deal of slow, stop-start traffic. That kind of driving puts the clutch under steady pressure, even on a car that has not covered a high mileage.

Automaster, trading as Clutchmaster at Longcombe Cross near Totnes, handles clutch faults in petrol and diesel cars and vans. This page explains the symptoms, the work and what to tell us when you ask for a quote.

What does a failing clutch feel like?

Most drivers first notice a change in the pedal. The biting point may climb, the pedal may feel heavier or lighter than before, or the car may judder as you ease away from a junction. Slipping shows as revs climbing without matching speed, most obviously on a hill or when overtaking.

A burning smell after a hard climb or a long queue is worth taking seriously.

If the car has recently started needing more throttle to keep pace on a gentle rise, that is another early clue worth mentioning to us.

• Pedal feels different
• Judder from standstill
• Revs without speed
• Burning smell

Why replace the release bearing and pressure plate too?

Reaching the clutch means removing the gearbox, which is most of the labour. The release bearing and pressure plate are inexpensive next to that effort, and a worn one failing later would mean doing the whole job again.

So a complete kit is the sensible choice on nearly every car. Only the condition of the flywheel and any hydraulic parts is judged separately.

Flywheel replacement and dual-mass flywheels: do I need one?

A dual-mass flywheel has two sections joined by springs and dampers. Over time they can wear, giving rattling, shuddering or a noisy start-up. A single-mass flywheel can be scored or cracked by heat.

We check it every time the clutch comes off. If it is within limits it can stay. If not, replacing it with the clutch is wiser than leaving it to damage the new parts.

Is there a clutch garage near Thurlestone?

Automaster is at Longcombe Cross, Longcombe, near Totnes, and we work for drivers in Thurlestone, Bantham, Kingsbridge, Bigbury and Salcombe.

Planning ahead helps in the holiday season. If your clutch is playing up, ask for a quote before a trip rather than after the problem leaves you stuck.

Automaster is a short step from a clutch problem to an honest answer: describe it, and we will say whether it needs inspection, a repair or a new kit.

What affects the price of a clutch replacement?

The model decides how hard it is to reach the gearbox. The extra parts required, such as a flywheel, slave cylinder or master cylinder, change the work and the total. Parts for some cars cost more than for others.

We deal in clear quotes, so give us your registration and a description of what you notice.

Cars used mainly for short local trips can wear a clutch differently from those doing longer runs, so tell us how yours is used.