Clutch and Clutch System Failures
Before you or your mechanic remove your clutch you may want to review this article, gaining insight and maybe saving future problems. All too often the installer places the car on the rack and starts to pull out the transmission without asking:
1. Why did this clutch fail?
2. Is the failure due to normal wear and tear, or did something else cause this problem?
This is the most important step in repairing the vehicle. The best indication that this clutch system might have failed for unusual reasons is the mileage. From the 1950's through the 1970's, 50,000 to 60,000 miles of usage was considered a good life span for a clutch. However, with improvements in technology, clutch systems are lasting a lot longer these days. It is quite common for a clutch system to last more than 80,000 miles. It all depends on the driver, the usage of the vehicle and the maintenance of the system.
With today's improvements in clutch systems, you should be suspicious of a clutch system that failed before 35,000 miles. You should search for reasons other than normal wear and tear. If you can't detect the cause of failure the first time, you will be dealing with it again.
Some clutch failures are not caused by a component of the clutch system, so just removing and replacing clutch components will not solve the problem of premature failure. It is quite possible that this is a problem the you or the mechanic cannot fix. In some cases, fixing the problem means changing your driving habits. In others, it might mean that you should buy a larger truck to tow that fifth-wheel trailer.
Unless you can identify the cause of the failure. It is in your best interest to determine what caused this clutch system to fail. Acting too quickly to remove the components from the vehicle can eliminate some clues as to what really happened. Taking time for a few simple diagnostic steps can enhance your ability to determine why this clutch failed.
If your vehicle is driveable, take it for a test drive. Try to re-experience the details and symptoms of the problem. Knowing exactly what the symptoms are will allow you to focus on the probable cause and will save you a great deal of time The most-common clutch-system complaints are:
1. No release- preventing shifting.
2. Slipping
3. Clutch chatters or shudders
4. Noise
5. The vehicle will not move.
Most of these common clutch-system failures can be broken down into the following categories as to causes:
1 Normal system wear or failure
2. Driver or system abuse
3. Installation failures
4. Lack of maintenance
5. Manufacturing defects.
In speculating as to what might have caused the failure, here is a general guideline as it relates to the mileage. Obviously there are exceptions, but as a rule of thumb, manufacturing defects or installation problems usually occur immediately or shortly after the installation of a new clutch kit. Problems caused by lack of maintenance and abuse usually show up in the mid-life of the clutch system- anywhere from 20,000 to 35,000 miles. Failures from normal wear and tear generally occur after more than 50,000 miles.
Asking yourself the following questions might shed some light on what caused the failure:
1. Is that the original clutch or has it been replaced?
If it has been replaced, who did the work? Chances are the clutch was installed incorrectly.
2. Has the vehicle been taken in to have the clutch adjusted? Some cable-operated and some hydraulic systems are self-adjusting, but several are not. If the vehicle requires adjustment, were you aware of that?
3. If the vehicle is a truck or is equipped with a trailer hitch, what is it hauling or towing? You may need a heavy-duty replacement clutch system.
Also, and important issue is who is driving the vehicle. Let's face it we all in our youth liked to break those tires loose every once in a while, is there a teenager in the picture, does your wife ride the clutch at stop lights?
Some of these questions may seem a little delicate, but if one of these problems is the reason the clutch system failed, you will be fixing the vehicle over again and again. It's best to identify these types of problems early, before the repair.
If the vehicle has a hydraulic clutch system, check for hydraulic leaks at the slave cylinder or the master cylinder. If either or both are leaking, they should be replaced. If the problems is non-release, replacing these components could correct the problem.
