mechanics.trade
Clutch replacement
The clutch connects the engine to the gearbox and lets you take up drive smoothly.
What clutch replacement means
The friction plate wears like a brake pad. On most modern cars the flywheel it presses against is a dual-mass type with springs inside, and that is usually replaced at the same time because reaching it is most of the labour.
What the job covers
- Clutch kit replacement
- Dual-mass flywheel replacement
- Concentric slave cylinder
- Clutch master cylinder and hydraulics
- Clutch cable adjustment on older vehicles
When you might need it
- The engine revs rise without the car speeding up, especially in a high gear uphill.
- The biting point has crept up towards the top of the pedal travel.
- A judder as you pull away, or a rattle at idle that goes when the pedal is pressed.
What it costs, and what changes the price
Typically £450 to £1,200.
- Getting to the clutch is most of the bill. On many cars the gearbox or a subframe has to come out.
- A dual-mass flywheel costs considerably more than a solid one.
- Front-wheel-drive cars are often quicker to do than four-wheel drive.
How long it takes
Most cars are a full day. Some are two.
Common questions
How long should a clutch last?
Anywhere from 40,000 to well over 100,000 miles. Town driving and towing shorten it; steady motorway miles barely touch it.
Can just the plate be replaced?
It can, but as the labour is the same either way most garages fit a full kit and advise on the flywheel while they are in there.
Is a juddering clutch urgent?
It is not usually dangerous, but it tends to get worse rather than better, and a clutch that fails completely leaves the car where it stands.