Replacing the clutch before it goes, how can I tell when?

Five_Star

Five_Star

Five_Star

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How can I tell when a clutch is about to finally wear out and slip?

The pedal in our Focus is very, very heavy and the bite point is nearly nonexistent being right at the very top of the pedal. To change gear you only need to dip the pedal about a 1/3 of the way down.

I've never had a clutch totally fail on me but I know the classic signs of the revs rising in higher gears faster than actual road speed as a sign and I haven't yet experienced this.

Nobody likes to waste money but does it sound terminal and should I get it replaced anyway?
 
Five_Star said:
The pedal in our Focus is very, very heavy and the bite point is nearly nonexistent being right at the very top of the pedal. To change gear you only need to dip the pedal about a 1/3 of the way down.
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Five_Star said:
How can I tell when a clutch is about to finally wear out and slip?
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You've answered your own question, I'd say it's about had it :)
 
find a flat road or incline, pop in in 3rd/4th with revs as low as possible and floor it. It will become very apparent by watching the revs if you have a clutch issue.
 
[TW]Fox;27014681 said:
I did 30,000 miles in my Mondeo with the clutch only needing to be dipped 1/3 of the way down so I don't think he has answered his own question at all.
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I guess you were lucky then. I can only go on my experience of various cars I've seen where the clutch started slipping not that long after the bite point became ridiculously high.

If it's this worn out along with the heavy pedal then he should be prepared to have to replace it fairly soon IMHO.
 
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ScottiB said:
find a flat road or incline, pop in in 3rd/4th with revs as low as possible and floor it. It will become very apparent by watching the revs if you have a clutch issue.
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Just set off from a standing start in 4th. The car should stall. If it doesn't and the revs climb then you know it's on it's way out :)
 
peterattheboro said:
Just set off from a standing start in 4th. The car should stall. If it doesn't and the revs climb then you know it's on it's way out :)
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lol, that depends on how much torque he has :p

also, that one never really worked for me in my Honda Diesel


This was six months AFTER my local Honda garage claimed they'd replaced my failing clutch under warranty.
 
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I've already tried the high gear test and it does stall as expected, hence the thread as I wasn't sure.

The comment from Fox about his Mondeo lasting a good few more miles is a positive in that at least i'll be able to plan ahead getting it done sometime.

although I bet it goes next week now!
 
Since getting my car 2 yrs ago the clutch has only needed to be dipped very lightly, maybe 1/4. On the first service the guy said it might go soon, Its been fine for 22k since.
 
I'd stop worrying about it and just keep on driving as normal until it starts slipping. No point spending money out on replacing something until it's actually properly worn out (unless you're minted, and then chances are you wouldn't be driving a Focus anyway ;)).
 
Not familiar with Fords, but on some Honda's you can adjust the biting point via pedal, so the Ford might possibly have some function like that.
 
peterattheboro said:
Just set off from a standing start in 4th. The car should stall. If it doesn't and the revs climb then you know it's on it's way out :)
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If it isn't worn out now, that is good way to wear it out quicker ;)

4th gear, driving at 2500 rpm, floor it and watch the rev counter/speedo relationship.

Should be @50mph at 2500 rpm if it hits 3500 rpm before you hit 70 it is slipping.

I wouldn't replace until it starts slipping tbh
 
I put 20k on a Mazda 3 with a ridiculously high bite point, the guy I sold it to has put another 10k on it and it's still working. My MR2 has also been like that for 2 years, after the previous owner ragged it around a drift track and again, still seems to work fine. I'd leave it until it actually starts slipping.
 
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