Five parts that should be changed during a clutch replacement

It’s often thought to be the sportier way to drive. It’s also thriftier to buy.

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Cars with a manual transmission can be extremely enjoyable and engaging as you shift through the gears, plus they’re often thousands of dollars less to purchase.

But a manual transmission has a common repair that you can’t avoid – clutch replacement.

Depending on the model you drive, it could be 40,000km to 100,000km or more between clutch disc replacement intervals, but you can always count on it being necessary sooner or later.

When you’re changing the clutch disc, there are other components you should take a look at replacing at the same time.

It could save you aggravation and money down the road.

Thrust bearing

When you depress the clutch pedal, the clutch fork engages the pressure plate with a thrust bearing, also known as a release bearing or throw-out bearing.

It lets the clutch spin freely while you change gears.

This rather rudimentary bearing takes a lot of abuse over time and can easily develop wear from rough use, lack of lubrication, and improper clutch adjustment.

For the small cost of replacing the thrust bearing, it’s a great time to change it while replacing the clutch disc.

Pressure plate

Considering changing just the clutch disc in your car? You might want to reconsider.

Sure, you could take the cheapest repair but you’re trusting the pressure plate will hold up for a second go-round.

The springy fingers on the pressure plate can bend, crack, or even lose tension.

When you’re having your clutch disc replaced, seriously consider replacing the pressure plate as well.

Slave cylinder

The slave cylinder is a small hydraulic arm that presses the clutch fork.

It has one function: moving in and out as you press the clutch pedal.

You might not think it’s a concern, but you put lots of faith in your slave cylinder’s operation with every drive, and it will eventually leak or seize.

While the transaxle is out to change the clutch, have the clutch slave cylinder replaced as well.

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It is an external part, so if you decide to put it off, it’s not a big deal to change after the fact either.

Clutch fluid

The last thing you want while you’re driving is for your clutch pedal to stick at the bottom when you press it down.

That can happen if your clutch hydraulic system has moisture in it and components corrode.

It’s expensive to fix too. It’s easy to prevent corrosion from the inside out, and it’s through regular maintenance.

When you change the clutch disc, have the mechanic drain, refill, and bleed the clutch fluid between the master cylinder and the slave cylinder.

As well, change the fluid at its regularly scheduled maintenance interval.

Transmission fluid

Have you recently changed the fluid in the gearbox?

Manual transmissions, though extremely durable, still require proper lubrication and care.

During your clutch replacement, spend a few extra dollars having the transmission fluid drained and refilled.

It will help prevent gear noise and potential gearbox problems down the road.

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March 15th,

It's no secret that many drivers prefer a vehicle with a manual transmission. Mechanically speaking, manual transmissions are relatively easy to repair, making them less difficult to care for. Over time, through normal wear and tear, the clutch disc can wear out. When it does, the engine power cannot make it to the wheels, and your vehicle will be stuck in place. Thankfully, there are signs before the clutch disc gives out completely. If you notice any of these in your Subaru, be sure to bring it in to have it serviced by our professional.

5. Soft/Sinking Clutch Pedal

While not directly related to the clutch disc, a spongy feeling clutch pedal is a sign your transmission needs to be serviced. This can be caused by a leak of clutch fluid or air in the system. Both will lead to a soft or spongy feel in the clutch pedal. Sometimes the pedal will even sink to the floor, unable to return to its normal position.

4. Burning Smell

A burning smell may indicate that your clutch disc needs to be replaced. The clutch disc is a friction plate that allows the transmission to work with the engine, so you can shift gears. Through wear and tear, the friction coating of the clutch disc wears off and once bare, it is metal against metal as you shift gears. This produces not only damage but also a burning smell. If you detect a burning scent while driving, it could be your transmission grinding.

3. Grinding Noise When Changing Gears

While driving you may hear a grinding sound when trying to shift gears. This grinding noise could be related to one of two things: the clutch disc or the transmission's synchronizers. The synchronizers work to make shifting smoother when shifting between RPM ranges. Whichever the cause, hearing a grinding sound of any sort while driving or shifting is a sure sign that your vehicle needs to be examined by a professional.

2. Needing Higher RPMs

Typically, those who drive a manual vehicle know their vehicle well. They have a general idea of how many RPMs are needed to hit speeds in certain gears. When your clutch disc is starting to wear, it may start slipping. When this happens, you will notice it takes more RPMs than expected to reach the speed you want. This also goes hand in hand with a grinding sound and burning smell as discussed above.

1. Shifting Gears Is Difficult

A healthy clutch allows the driver to shift between gears without hassle. When the clutch starts to wear, shifting between gears becomes difficult. The smooth shift between gears is replaced with a rougher transition. You may find the clutch pedal is not functioning like you are accustomed to, and you may not be able to slip into the gears as easily as you once did.

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