Avoid Costly Repairs with Proper Clutch Maintenance

by | Sep 26, 2018 | Automotive

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As you drive your car over time, certain components will begin to need repairs or replacement. When you treat your vehicle well and ensure maintenance is done at appropriate moments, it can lead to your engine, transmission, and other components lasting much longer. Today, we’ll look at a component that often causes trouble. The clutch. It doesn’t matter if you have steel clutch plates, dual plates, or other fantastic components. You have to take care of them in the proper manner.

The Friction Disc

One of the most common sources of issues with the clutch is the friction disc. This is the part that connects to the flywheel and easily wears out as you drive. What this disc does is move power from the engine over to the gearbox. When you release your clutch pedal, the disc pushes against the flywheel which makes the engine and clutch rotate at the same speed. When you push down on the clutch, the friction releases. Due to being on and off the flywheel over and over is a big part of the reason for the excess wear.

Problems with the Disc

If the disc starts to wear out, this can lead to your clutch slipping, which means it isn’t rotating at the proper rate. This causes performance issues with the vehicle and may make it difficult or impossible to drive on an inclined surface. The longer you let the problem go, the worse it becomes until a replacement is the only option.

How to Reduce Wear

Since your clutch wears only when being used, it’s gradual. However, if you have a habit of hitting the clutch quickly, that adds to the wear. Try to drive in a way where you more gradually engage and disengage your clutch. Be careful when changing gears to ensure the clutch isn’t pressed up against the flywheel all at once. This is especially important when moving into first gear.

Do You Need Repair?

Clutch issues aren’t super common, but they do happen. The most common is slipping. There are more serious issues that can occur as well. If you notice your car isn’t performing the way it should be, you need to speak with a technician to determine your options.

If you need premium parts, such as steel clutch plates, Raybestos Powertrain LLC has what you want.

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