Clutch Replacement in Totnes

Totnes is a town where the clutch gets a hard life. Anyone who has crept up Fore Street in a queue of summer visitors, or sat in traffic near the station and the shops, knows how much work the left foot does. Over time that stop-start driving wears the friction material down.

At Automaster, where we trade as Clutchmaster, clutches are what we are known for.

How do I know my clutch is failing?

The usual signs are slipping, where the revs rise but the car does not pick up speed, and judder as you pull away. You may also notice a high or vague biting point, a heavy pedal, or a pedal that sinks or sticks to the floor. A burning smell after a steep start is a warning, and so is difficulty selecting gears.

• Slipping under power, especially uphill
• Judder or shake when pulling away
• Pedal that is heavy, soft, sinking or sticking
• Burning smell after hard use
• Gears that crunch or refuse to go in

What is replaced in a new clutch fitting?

A proper clutch replacement normally means a new pressure plate, driven plate and release bearing, supplied and fitted together. The gearbox has to come out to reach them, so it makes little sense to refit tired parts that will need the same job again soon.

The flywheel is checked at the same time. Many modern cars use a dual-mass flywheel, which can wear internally, and if it is worn we will tell you before recommending a replacement.

Is it a repair or a full replacement?

Not every clutch complaint means a worn clutch. A pedal that sinks can come from a leaking slave or master cylinder, a damaged pipe, or air in the hydraulic system. On older cars a cable can stretch or snap.

Those faults can often be put right without a new kit, but only once the car has been inspected. We would rather find the real cause than sell you parts you do not need.

What affects the time and cost of a clutch job?

The make and model matter most, because some cars need far more stripping down to reach the gearbox. Whether the flywheel needs replacing, and whether hydraulic parts are involved, changes both the parts list and the labour. We do not quote blind, so please ask for a quote.

When you ask, tell us the registration, the symptoms, how long they have been present and whether the car is petrol or diesel.

Do you cover Totnes, and where do I bring the car?

Yes, Totnes drivers are very welcome. Our garage is at Longcombe Cross, Longcombe, near Totnes, so you are bringing the car to a local garage rather than a distant workshop. We also see people from Dartington, Buckfastleigh, South Brent and Paignton.

If the clutch has failed badly, please do not keep driving it. A car that will not select gears safely is better left parked until we have looked at it.