In manual transmission cars, the clutch is one of the most important parts as it connects the engine with the gearbox which provides the motive force for a car. As one of the most used parts of a car, it is exposed to a lot of wear and tear. Clutch repair is essential and knowing when it is the right time to get it done depends on the driving style of the person using it and the kind of environment it is operated in. We, Alberta Transmission Service, are a locally owned and operated auto repair business serving Edmonton and its surrounding areas since 1992. We believe in providing long-lasting solutions and affordable rates so drivers can stay safe on the roads. We offer a wide range of services from engine tune-up to transmission repair, we can do it all for you. We have the knowledge and expertise required to work on both domestic and foreign models of vehicles.
How will you know that it is time to change your clutch? Are there any usual warning signs you should look out for? Read on to find out! Inconvenience with shifting gears: If you have trouble shifting gears even after pressing the clutch, that is a clear indication of clutch failure. The gear will refuse to move smoothly to another gear from neutral or vice versa. Even if you manage to move it, it will make strange grating noises. The reason behind this is that even though you've suitably pressed down the pedal, the clutch isn't releasing fully. These problems generally do not rise from clutch failure but leakage in slave cylinder (in case of a hydraulic clutch system), bent clutch fork, ill-adjusted clutch cable linkage, etc. The problems can be figured out by making simple adjustments in mechanical linkages, also by checking and replacing the clutch fluid in hydraulic clutch systems or by replacing the slave cylinder. Shuddering: Another sign which indicates that you need clutch repair is when there is immoderate shuddering once you release the clutch pedal, mostly at low speeds. The reason behind this could be excessive contamination on the clutch plate surface, such as oil, grease and even water or sludge (usually happens in case of waterlogged roads). Pay attention to the shuddering, it goes away after some time then it is nothing major and you can relax. In case the shudder remains, that means the clutch pressure plate has worn out and is not pushing the clutch friction plate against the engine flywheel suitably. A misaligned engine and gearbox because of a bad engine or gearbox mount have similar symptoms. Unusual noises: When you press the clutch pedal and release it, sometimes you might hear a faint noise coming from the engine or gearbox area. Once you press down the clutch pedal the sound usually vanishes but reappears once you release the clutch. Sometimes you might hear a much deeper noise. This is indicative of a worn-out clutch release bearing. Even though the clutch-release bearing (CRB) can be replaced, if it is not checked in time this can lead to bent clutch fork (a mechanism that releases the clutch inside the clutch housing). This can further cause pressure plate issues and even change the entire clutch assembly. Burning smell: From when you were learning to drive a clutch for the first time, you must remember the smell of something burning when you learned to accelerate in first gear. If that same smell re-occurs frequently, that is a major issue that demands your immediate attention. The root cause of the problem might be excessive exposure from driving in slow traffic. The smell accompanied by smoke is an indicator that you need clutch repair. If you want to prevent further damage to your transmission or other vehicle systems, you need to look into clutch repair right away! Alberta Transmission Service can assist you with all clutch-related issues and more. Contact us today to know more about the services that we offer.