Some things in life are inevitable, and needing to get your car’s clutch changed at one time or another is one of them. No matter how well you take care of your vehicle, the clutch will eventually wear out and need replacing. It’s best to do this sooner rather than later to avoid further damage, but it can be difficult fitting it in if you have a busy schedule. Having an idea of what clutch maintenance involves and how long it takes can help.
How long does replacing a clutch take?
The time it takes to replace a clutch can vary depending on the type of vehicle you have, but it’s generally between two and six hours. For many, this means you could take your car into the garage in the morning and get it back the very same day!
However, these are just guidelines, not a guarantee. Your clutch replacement may take longer than expected if it’s hard to access amongst the rest of the workings of the car, or if it is particularly damaged. For example, it usually takes a shorter time to replace the clutch of a rear-wheel-drive vehicle, because the clutch is more easily accessible than in a front wheel drive.
If you want a more accurate estimate of how long your clutch replacement will take, it’s best to speak to the mechanic who will be doing the job. They can then evaluate your specific situation based on the vehicle you drive and any signs of clutch damage you’ve reported in order to give you a rough quote for how long it will take. As with any car maintenance task, though, it’s impossible to be entirely accurate until you’re under the bonnet and can see what you’re dealing with.
How to replace a clutch
If you’re not well acquainted with the ins and outs of car maintenance, six hours might seem like a long time to take out and replace one component in the vehicle. After all, a clean MOT – one where no faults are found – takes roughly an hour. The difference is, an MOT just inspects the workings of your car – not including the clutch – whereas a clutch replacement involves dismantling part of the vehicle.
During a clutch replacement, the front end of your vehicle will be raised off the ground, and the battery must be disconnected from the car. Then the mechanic will stabilise the engine and disconnect the clutch from everything connecting it to the car so it can be safely removed.
Once the old clutch has been taken out of the car, the mechanic will then inspect the surrounding area to make sure no extra damage has occurred. If there is damage, this will need to be repaired before the new clutch can be inserted.
If there is no damage, the mechanic will clean the crankshaft flange before assembling the new clutch and returning the vehicle to good working order. The mechanic will always test the new clutch to make sure there are no issues before the vehicle is returned to you.
How to bleed a clutch
If your clutch works with a hydraulic system as opposed to a cable activated system, then bleeding your clutch should be part of your clutch maintenance routine. It’s always best to get a mechanic to perform this task, as it is easy to go wrong and errors could have serious consequences when you come to drive your vehicle.
A hydraulic clutch system works by using brake fluid that flows between two cylinders, creating an area of pressure. This pressure is what moves the clutch mechanism when you press the clutch pedal – it is replaced by cables which achieve the same purpose in a cable activated system.
If air enters this hydraulic system, it will affect the proper functioning of your clutch. If it can’t reach the pressure needed to move the clutch mechanism, you won’t be able to change gears. Air bubbles will form in the hydraulic system any time it is opened. For this reason, mechanics often bleed the clutch as part of routine maintenance procedures. For example, your mechanic may need to bleed the clutch if you’ve had it repaired or if the hydraulic cylinders have been replaced.
Bleeding the clutch removes any pockets of air so the hydraulic system can function properly. Once the hydraulic system is empty of air, it will need to be refilled with the right brake fluid for your car so that your clutch then works. As with a clutch replacement, your mechanic will test the clutch before returning your vehicle to you so you can be sure it is safe to use.
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