Clutch condition
- Thread starter WorTortle
- Start date
- Joined
- 13 Apr 2010
- Posts
- 18,472
- Location
- Sunny Sussex
Handbrake on try and pull away in 5th. It should stall immediately.
Associate
- Joined
- 27 Jan 2014
- Posts
- 892
There are three components to a clutch and they virtually always come as a kit...
Throwout/release bearing
Clutch cover
Driven plate.
To test the bearing, in N press the clutch wait a few seconds and release the clutch wait a few seconds and listen for a subtle change in noise like a bike freewheeling (difficult in a diesel)
Clutch cover has some springs that can be damaged by heat and lose their springiness. Cannot really test other than the pedal will feel less springy than it should and it will slip under heavy load.
Driven plate has small coil springs that can become loose or damaged by heat. That would cause 'backlash' on drive take-up and judder. Also has friction discs which if worn away may judder or not give a smooth takeup or slipping...but like brakes they may feel fine even when 99% worn until the metal hits metal. Contamination is one of the biggest problems with clutches. (grease or brake fluid)
Throwout/release bearing
Clutch cover
Driven plate.
To test the bearing, in N press the clutch wait a few seconds and release the clutch wait a few seconds and listen for a subtle change in noise like a bike freewheeling (difficult in a diesel)
Clutch cover has some springs that can be damaged by heat and lose their springiness. Cannot really test other than the pedal will feel less springy than it should and it will slip under heavy load.
Driven plate has small coil springs that can become loose or damaged by heat. That would cause 'backlash' on drive take-up and judder. Also has friction discs which if worn away may judder or not give a smooth takeup or slipping...but like brakes they may feel fine even when 99% worn until the metal hits metal. Contamination is one of the biggest problems with clutches. (grease or brake fluid)
Broken springs or ones that come loose in the bellhousing can also prevent the car going into gear as they inhibit engagement. Had this in my MX5.