These days, very few vehicles have a manual transmission. But if your car is one of the few that do, you can expect its clutch to wear out eventually.
Much like brake pads, a clutch is considered a wear item, meaning it’s not designed to last the life of the vehicle. When your car’s clutch begins to wear out or experience premature failure, you may start to notice symptoms, such as clutch slippage.
What is Clutch Slipping?
To understand clutch slippage, you first need to know how a manual transmission clutch works. A typical manual transmission clutch assembly includes four primary components: The flywheel, friction disc, pressure plate, and release bearing.
When the clutch pedal is depressed, the release bearing pulls the pressure plate away from the friction disc, resulting in the friction disc disengaging from the flywheel. In this state, the engine is disconnected from the transmission, and rotational force cannot be sent to the drive wheels.
On the other hand, when the clutch pedal is released (foot off of the pedal), the pressure plate keeps the friction disc pressed against the flywheel. In this state, the engine is connected to the transmission, and rotational force can be transferred to the drive wheels.
The video below demonstrates clutch operation:
So, what is clutch slippage? Clutch slippage occurs when the friction disc is not firmly held against the flywheel when it should be. When the friction disc slips, powerflow between the engine and transmission is interrupted.
Although slippage usually results from a worn-out friction disc, other possibilities include insufficient clutch pedal free play, a weak pressure plate, and oil-contaminated mating surfaces.
Signs of a Slipping Clutch
If your car’s clutch is slipping, the symptoms will be fairly obvious. Clutch slippage results in an increase in engine speed without a corresponding increase in vehicle speed. While driving, you’ll notice the engine races, but the car does not go any faster. This is because the slipping clutch is disrupting the flow of power between the engine and transmission.
How Do You Check for a Slipping Clutch?
Do you think your car’s clutch might be slipping? You can check for slippage by doing the following:
- Set the vehicle’s parking brake and chock the drive wheels.
- Place the transmission into high gear.
- Increase engine speed slightly.
- Slowly release the clutch pedal.
The engine should stall immediately once the clutch pedal is released. If the engine continues to run (even momentarily) or slows and continues to run, the clutch is slipping.
FAQs
The cost of fixing a slipping clutch will depend on several factors, including what’s causing the slippage to begin with. If a worn-out clutch assembly is to blame, you can typically expect to pay somewhere between $1000 and $2,500 for a professional to replace the clutch. Of course, the exact cost will depend on the type of vehicle you have and other variables.
You can save money by replacing the clutch assembly yourself if you have the tools and the know-how. CarParts.com has a wide variety of replacement clutches available for various makes and models.
Keep in mind, however, that replacing a clutch assembly is not a DIY-friendly repair. The job involves first removing the transmission assembly—a complicated and labor-intensive task. Unless you have the necessary equipment and confidence in your automotive repair skills, clutch replacement is a job best left to a professional.
To fix a slipping clutch, you (or your mechanic) must first determine what’s causing the slippage in the first place. As was mentioned, clutch slippage can be caused by excessive clutch pedal free play, fluid-contaminated mating surfaces, a worn-out friction disc, or a weak pressure plate.
Once you determine the cause of the concern, you can perform the necessary repairs to fix the vehicle. Usually (but not always), the fix will be to replace the clutch assembly.
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