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CLUTCH REPAIR AND CLUTCH FAILURE (760) 741-7861

Clutch Repair and Clutch Failures

Escondido Transmission is happy to provide an estimate for clutch repairs over the phone. Give us a call with the year, make, model and engine size of your vehicle. Describe the problems your having and we will prepare an estimate for you.

Before you begin removing the clutch you may want to find out why the clutch failed.

Did the clutch fail due to normal wear & tear?
Did something else cause this problem?

Most clutch kits will run more than 80,000 miles with proper maintenance and good driving habits.   Identifying and understanding what caused the failure before replacing the clutch assembly is very important. Replacing the clutch will fix the mechanical problem but may not be the underlying cause of the problem.   Clutch component failures are rare but they do happen. Is it possible your driving habits caused the problem or that you need a larger vehicle for towing?   Take the vehicle for a test drive to hear & feel the symptoms. The most-common clutch-system complaints are:

• No release
• Noise
• Slipping
• Chatter
• Hard pedal
• The vehicle will not move.

Most of these common clutch-system failures can be broken down into the following categories as to causes:

• Normal system wear or failure
• Driver or system abuse
• Installation failures
• Lack of maintenance
• Manufacturing defects.

Product defects or installation errors usually occur immediately or shortly after the installation of a new clutch kit. Problems caused by lack of maintenance and abuse usually show up around 20,000 to 40,000 miles. Failures from normal wear and tear generally occur beyond 50,000 miles.   Finding the answers to the following questions may help identify what caused the clutch failure:

• Is it the original clutch or has it been replaced?
• Who replaced the clutch were there installation errors?
• Has the clutch been adjusted since it was installed?
• Does hauling and towing exceed the vehicles capacity?
• Who is driving the vehicle?

These questions may seem a little delicate, but if one of these problems is the reason the clutch failed, you will be doing a clutch repairs on the vehicle over again and again. It's best to identify these types of problems early, before the clutch repair is made. Examine the vehicle for collision damage.

• Is there any collision damage?
• Is there frame damaged, that could misalign the engine and transmission?
• Are the engine & transmission mounts broken causing misalignment of the drive-train?

If any of these conditions exist, they need to be repaired before you replace the clutch or else you will experience the same problems.   Examine the drive-train for oil leaks

• Is oil present on the bottom of the bell-housing?
• Is the rear main seal leaking?
• Is the transmission input shaft seal leaking?

If either of these seals are leaking they should be replaced. Oil contamination of the clutch disc will cause slipping, chattering and eventually burn up the clutch friction material. Examine the clutch-release system.

• Is the free play correct?
• Is the cable in good condition?
• Is the linkage in good condition?
• Is the fork worn or damaged

The failure may have been caused by an incorrect adjustment. If the free-play adjustment was insufficient, the cover diaphragm or levers began to rise toward the bearing as the facing of the clutch disc began to wear. If the bearing was in continuous contact with the diaphragm, the clutch cover became partially engaged and allowed the clutch disc to slip, thus burning up the disc. If the problem is non-release on a vehicle with a cable system and the cable cannot be adjusted further, replace the cable. Clutch cables stretch and need to be inspected with every clutch replacement. Examine the hydraulic clutch system.

• Is the master cylinder leaking?
• Is the slave cylinder leaking?

If either or both are leaking, they should both be replaced. If the problem is non-release, replacing these components could correct the problem.     Examine for bearing noise.

• With the engine running and the transmission in neutral, if the noise occurs it is in the transmission, most likely the front bearing supporting the input shaft.
• With the engine running place your foot on the clutch pedal and begin to depress the pedal. If you begin to hear the noise at this point, the problem is the clutch release bearing. If not, proceed to the next step.
• With the engine running push the clutch pedal all the way to the floor. If you hear the noise at this point it is the pilot bearing or bushing. If you do not hear any noise during this test, the problem is not in the clutch system. Identifying these conditions early before removing and replacing the components goes a long way toward preventing a recurrence of the problem.

During the removal of the clutch assembly look for wear on other components you such as:

• Clutch fork
• Pivot ball stud. If they are worn, replace them.
• Bearing retainer sleeve, of the transmission for wear. If it is worn, replace it. If the quill is part of the from transmission case and cannot be removed as in some models of the Ford Escort, Taurus, and Tempo and the Mercury Topaz, repair kits are available.

  During the installation of the clutch kit:

• Purchase a matching clutch set.
• Ensure you get a warranty 12 months 12000 miles.
• Resurface the flywheel do not skip this critical step.

A few simple steps before you tear it down can save you time, effort and profits in the long run- not to mention a very happy clutch system when you can identify the cause of the clutch system's premature failure and prevent it from happening again.

CLUTCH SPECIALS & REPAIR

San Diego Clutch Repair and Service. The clutch repair specials include all four pieces of the clutch, resurfacing of the flywheel and labor. Service the clutch on a regular basis to avoid clutch repairs.

CLUTCH REPAIR & SYMPTOMS

A complete clutch repair is diagnosing the cause of the problem and replacing all worn or damaged clutch components. Clutch component parts do wear and some self adjust to compensate for normal wear in clutch disc friction material.