Frequent Clutch Repairs? It Could Be Your Driving Style
Posted on: 10 December 2019
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If you have owned your car for several years, it may have been generally reliable, but you may nevertheless have encountered an issue with your clutch on more than one occasion. While the components that make up this part of your vehicle may encounter a certain amount of wear and tear as time goes by, they shouldn't fail as often as this. Consequently, you will need to think about why this is happening. What do you need to know about the clutch, and is there anything that you can do to look after it more effectively?
How the Clutch Works
Your clutch is actually a kit, made up of several different components that work together to isolate the engine from the transmission. In other words, the clutch allows you to change gear manually and without too much effort, by temporarily disconnecting the engine from the gearbox.
In order to do this, a spring-mounted mechanism (also known as the clutch disc) sits in between the gearbox and the engine flywheel and is held in place by a pressure plate. Various springs allow the friction plate to rotate along the drive shaft, and a separate bearing engages or disengages the plate when you depress the clutch pedal.
As the friction plate comes into contact with the flywheel, these two components will begin to mesh as one. This will allow the force created by the engine to be transmitted through the gearbox and on to the road wheels.
Driver Input
This may sound very technical, but it is the most efficient way of enabling the driver to change gear manually and to adjust the speed of the vehicle to conform with the road conditions. It does, however, require the driver to be quite careful when using the clutch mechanism. Otherwise, they could cause an excessive amount of wear and tear, and the components might need to be changed more often than they normally would.
Better Style
If you have been spending too much on clutch repairs over the recent years, have a closer look at your driving style. When you depress and release the clutch, do so gradually so that you allow the components to work as they should. In turn, this will reduce the wear and tear on both the friction plate and the release bearing.
Taking Action
In the meantime, take your vehicle into a mechanic for them to have a look at the clutch kit configuration. They may need to make some adjustments or replace some of the components, but always make sure that you insist on the highest-quality parts. Contact an auto parts supplier to learn more about clutch kits.