Clutch

If you suspect you are having clutch or gearbox problems then please call in for a free while-u-wait clutch check, our talented technicians will be able to tell if your clutch is at fault before we start work on your vehicle.

The car clutch is a vital component in a manual transmission vehicle. It acts as a bridge between the engine and the wheels, allowing you to disengage the engine’s power from the transmission when you change gears or come to a stop. This enables smoother gear changes and prevents the engine from stalling.

Here’s a breakdown of how a car clutch works:

• Components:

  • Flywheel: A large, rotating metal wheel connected to the engine crankshaft.
    
    
  • Clutch disc: A disc-shaped plate faced with friction material on both sides. It is positioned between the flywheel and the pressure plate.
    
    
  • Pressure plate: A metal plate that clamps the clutch disc to the flywheel using springs.
    
    Pressure Plate Car Clutch.
    
    
  • Throw-out bearing: A bearing that presses on the pressure plate to disengage the clutch.
    
    
  • Clutch pedal: The pedal you press down with your left foot to disengage the clutch.
    
    

• Operation:

  1. When you press the clutch pedal, a hydraulic system pushes the throw-out bearing against the pressure plate.
  2. This compresses the pressure plate springs, releasing the clamping force on the clutch disc.
  3. With the clutch disc disengaged from the flywheel, the engine power is no longer transferred to the transmission and the wheels.
  4. You can now change gears without grinding or harming the transmission.
  5. Once you release the clutch pedal, the pressure plate springs compress again, clamping the clutch disc to the flywheel.
  6. The engine power is re-engaged with the transmission and the wheels, and the car starts moving or continues accelerating.

Feel free to relax in our Reception area whilst our experienced MOT testers check your vehicle or if you prefer you can watch the MOT test procedure taking place, in our MOT viewing area in the workshop.