Clutch Replacement: 5 Other Parts That Need Changing
The clutch is the component of the vehicle that usually works the most. You must engage and disengage the clutch every time the vehicle starts, stops and changes gears.
Vehicles with manual gear transmission are extremely engaging and enjoyable as you change the gears. Additionally, manual transmission vehicles are often less expensive to purchase than automatic vehicles.
However, clutch replacement is common in manual transmission vehicles due to tear and wear. Various reasons can explain why the clutch wears out, but the hotter it gets, the faster it will wear and tear out.
When replacing the clutch, change other important components as well, which can save you money and aggravation along the road. Below are five parts that you should change along with the clutch disc.
1. Throw-out bearing
Every time you press the clutch pedal, the fork engages the pressure plate and the throw-out bearing. The release bearing causes the clutch disk to spin freely when changing gears.
Therefore, the release bearing goes through a lot of abuse and rough use and can easily wear out over time due to improper adjustment and lack of lubrication fluid. Since replacing the release bearing is often affordable, consider changing it as you replace the clutch disc.
2. Pressure plate
The pressure plate also needs changing because it may not continue working smoothly for as long as you had thought. The pressure plate is an important component of the clutch system. The pressure plate presses against the flywheel to transfer the torque to the transmission.
The pressure plate contains springy fingers that can bend, crack or even lose tension. Therefore, when replacing the clutch disc, change the pressure plate, as you save on labour and time.
3. Slave cylinder
The slave cylinder is an integral part of a manual transmission system that helps with clutch disengagement from your vehicle's engine. The slave cylinder moves the pressure plate when the clutch pedal is depressed, disengaging the clutch.
When driving your vehicle, you exert a lot of pressure into the slave cylinder with faith that it will not leak or seize to function. The slave cylinder will eventually leak, making it a concern when driving your vehicle.
Therefore, to save time and labour, consider changing the clutch slave cylinder when the transaxle is out for clutch replacement.
4. Clutch fluid
Almost all components of your vehicle need a proper amount of lubrication to work easily and smoothly. If your vehicle's clutch lacks lubrication, it might stick at the bottom every time you depress it down. This may happen if the clutch hydraulic system and its components corrode due to moisture.
Preventing corrosion from happening would be better and less expensive rather than fixing the components later. Replacing the components is more expensive than regular maintenance of the clutch hydraulic system through lubrication.
Therefore, drain and replace the lubrication fluid between the slave cylinder and the master every time you pull out the axle to replace the clutch disc.
5. Transmission fluid
Most mechanics should advise you to change the fluid in the gearbox regularly. A manual gear transmission is extremely durable but requires proper care and lubrication. If you haven’t drained and refilled your gearbox fluid, consider changing it. This is because other potential problems may escalate without proper lubrication of the gearbox.
Therefore, when changing the clutch disc, drain and refill the lubrication fluid.
If you want to change your clutch disc, change all the other five parts to save money and time for extra trips to the garage. Changing all the components at once is less expensive rather than visiting the garage for a single replacement.
Contact Stopmaster Brakes for quality brake and clutch repairs. We provide reputable brake and clutch servicing and replacement in Gateshead and the greater Newcastle region.
