Many motorists here in the UK ignore problems that occur within their car. Recent studies have shown that drivers will ignore issues in their car for about three weeks. Although this doesn’t sound like a huge amount of time, three weeks can make all of the difference if an issue is severe. It’s never a good idea to leave a problem in your car, as motor issues almost always get worse with time. In particular, clutch issues can turn into severe problems if left unchecked. They can cause major accidents on the motorway if ignored. If you believe you have a clutch issue, it’s vital to contact a clutch specialist as soon as possible.
If your car just revs when you press the accelerator pedal and there’s a strong burning smell at the same time, this is a sure-fire way to tell there is something wrong with your clutch. You may be able to eke out some miles in this condition, but it’s only a matter of time before the entire car breaks down. If this happens on the motorway or a busy A road, you could be in serious trouble and be putting other road users in danger. By having a clutch replacement performed sooner rather than later, you will save money in the long run. To give you some more information, we’ve provided a brief explanation of the importance of the clutch from a clutch specialist.
What Exactly Is a Clutch? A Jargon-Free Explanation From a Clutch Specialist
The clutch is one of the most important parts of any motor vehicle. Whether that’s a motorbike, car, van or lorry, clutches are essential to the operation of vehicles. The clutch is the mechanism within a vehicle which connects rotating shafts and transfers power from the engine to the wheels. Without a properly working clutch, power does not transfer properly and, therefore, the car won’t shift. The engine in a vehicle is constantly rotating, so the clutch acts as the way to either engage that rotation or disengage it to move or stop.
The clutch is connected to a shaft that comes from the engine and the shafts that provide energy to the wheels and ensures that both shafts are spinning at the same speed when working properly. The clutch is made from a clutch plate and a flywheel. When disengaged, springs keep a pressure plate against the clutch plate. Then, when putting pressure on the clutch pedal to get into gear and begin moving, the same springs exert pressure onto the clutch plate so that it engages with the flywheel. This action ensures that the engine shaft is connected to the wheels and that both are turning at the same speed.
Once in motion and you want to change gear, putting pressure on the clutch pedal will remove the pressure plate from the clutch plate to momentarily disengage the shafts while you gear up or gear down and gives you control over the speed of your vehicle.
When Were Clutches First Introduced and How Their Innovation Changed The Industry
Clutches have always been an important part of vehicles, however, they have gone through periods of evolution over their implementation. One of the earliest forms of clutches was the Hele-Shaw clutch which was in use around 1900. This clutch used several plates enclosed in a housing which were aligned to inputs and outputs - the more plates, the more power. For example, the 1908 Itala Grand Prix car had a 64-plate clutch!
This clutch became known as a highly innovative and reliable clutch for cars which did not overheat easily. By the early part of the 1900s, many car manufacturers were using this clutch as standard in vehicles.
Developments In Clutch Technology Used Today By Clutch Specialists
Dual-clutch and even triple-clutch gearbox transmission are now in circulation within the automotive industry - a long way from the hand-levered clutches of the past! Dual clutches have been around for a while now, but triple-clutches are seen to be the clutches of the future.
Honda has recently filed a patent for an 11-gear and triple-clutch transmission. This gearbox has 11 forward gears as well as two reverse ratios which provide the driver with yet more control and speed. The third clutch is designed to reduce torque drops and encourage better gear changes. The 11 gears also ensure that the car can achieve better fuel economy which is good for the environment and the wallet of the driver! Not a huge amount is known about when this will make its way onto the mass market and become a normal feature of cars, but it shows that innovation in the area of clutches is still not over.
Signs That You May Need a Clutch Replacement
As discussed already, the clutch is a vital part of the operation of your vehicle. Therefore, you must understand when you require clutch replacement. Leaving it until it completely goes will only ever cost you more, so keeping an eye, ear and a nose out for these signs will save you money in the long run. From a clutch specialist, here’s what you be wary of.
Loose, Soft or Sticky Clutch Pedal
If your clutch pedal feels soft, loose or sticky when you put pressure on it to engage the first gear or change gears during motion, there is certainly something wrong. Pressing the clutch should be met with resistance rather than weak compliance. If when you press down there is little to no resistance, it’s a sign you need a clutch specialist to have a look at possible issues. It may be time for you to have a clutch replacement.
Difficulty Shifting Gears and Into Reverse
If you find that it’s difficult to get the car into different gears, and into reverse, then this is another sign of potential gearbox failure to be aware of. If you press the clutch down to the floor and you still can’t get the gearstick into a new gear, you will need this sorted out as soon as possible.
If you can’t find the reverse gear either, you should have your clutch looked at by a clutch specialist. Cars and clutches require a lot of force to get a car into reverse, so this can be one of the first things to go.
‘Slipping’
Finally, a ‘slipping’ clutch will make your car almost impossible to drive and is another reason to have your clutch looked at by a specialist. ‘Slipping’ means that, when you place pressure on the clutch pedal, it does not engage or disengage properly when you release it. The car will feel like it’s slipping between gear steps and your car will increase revs without increasing speed.
Looking For an Expert Clutch Specialist To Advise On Clutch Repair Cost? Contact Gearbox Specialists in Bournemouth Today
If you’ve been searching for ‘clutch repair near me’ in Bournemouth, look no further than Gearbox Specialists. We’ve been operating in the area since 1978, providing clutch replacement services at an affordable clutch repair cost. As well as our clutch replacement services, we also provide expert repairs and services for both manual and automatic gearboxes.
We’re proud of our long heritage as a company helping countless clients with their repair requirements and our reputation for excellent customer service. We can advise our customers on the clutch replacement price they can expect to pay for our services and always endeavour to ensure our work is completed in a friendly, timely and reliable way.
Our team have a combined experience of nearly a century. So, if you’re looking for a clutch specialist to help get your car back on the road, we should be your choice!
To find out more about our services, please feel free to contact us today. You can find us at The Clutch & Gearbox Specialists, 2 Shelley Road, Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH1 4HY. Alternatively, call us on 01202 309 830 or email us at thegearboxspecialist@hotmail.co.uk.
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