Primary Care Auto Repair is the best auto shop in Warwick. If your old clutch is wearing down and doing strange things, it’s probably time for a new clutch. We are going to list the signs of a bad clutch below so you know what to look for in your automobile. Don’t worry. We can take a good look at the clutch and recommends the proper course of action to resolve the issue.
Feels Soft and Spongy
If there is a problem with the internal mechanisms of the clutch, the pedal may start to feel soft and spongy underneath your foot. In severe cases, the pedal can also sink all the way to the floorboard and never reach the bite point. The clutch can also get extremely difficult to press down if it is going bad. Bring your vehicle to our shop if the clutch pedal feels different.
Catches in a Different Place
Also called the catch point, the bite point can change on the clutch when the internal mechanisms are wearing out. Usually, this point gets higher in the clutch. You may start to have difficulties shifting gears because you are used to the catch point in one place and that place has changed. Sometimes, we can adjust the clutch to restore the original bite point.
Smells Hot and Slips
We will likely have to replace the clutch, however, if it is overheating and slipping. When you depress the clutch, it takes the power that the engine is producing and transfers it to the transmission. This allows you to shift the gears easily in the transmission to turn the drivetrain. An old clutch will start to slip out of engagement, which means it drops the power from the transmission even though you still have it pressed down.
Makes the Gear Shifts Hard
Naturally, this can make shifting the gears nearly impossible because the manual transmission will fight the action. In addition, you may hear the gears grind or clunk when you shift them. This is definitely a sign that the engine has the power rather than the transmission.
Reduces the Acceleration
One final sign of this problem is a reduction in your vehicle’s ability to accelerate when you release the clutch. This points to a problem with the transmission’s power and an inability to turn the drivetrain.
Call Primary Care Auto Repair in Warwick, RI, today if you are having clutch problems. We will inspect the clutch and discuss the necessary repairs with you.