Welcome to my blog. My name is Ken. One day, I was driving home from work when the engine in my car failed. While I waited for the recovery truck to arrive, I realised I didn’t have a clue what went on underneath the bonnet of my car. I signed up for an auto service course at my local community college, so I could gain the skills I needed to properly maintain my car and repair it if something when wrong while I was on the road. I wanted to start a blog to pass on these skills to other people so that they can look after their automobiles.
If you drive a manually operated vehicle, you know that you need to coordinate your left foot with your gear stick hand in order to ensure smooth operation. So, if you have this down to a fine art, you may wonder why you are now crunching some of those gears or why you may hear some strange noises as the process unfolds. What could be going wrong?
Understanding How Things Work
It pays to understand if you're not entirely familiar with how a clutch works. Inside the clutch mechanism is a friction plate that is moved back and forth along a central shaft as you depress and release the clutch pedal. This friction plate will "mesh" against the engine flywheel to isolate the power and allow you to change gear while the shaft is stationary. When you depress the clutch pedal, this will extend or retract a cable which will, in turn, cause the clutch release bearing to move the friction plate.
Failing to Perform
If things go wrong, the bearing may not be able to move the plate with perfect timing. This could be due to issues with the clutch cable or the bearing, or the friction plate may simply be worn out. Either way, the central shaft may still be turning when you engage a gear, which can lead to a crunching noise when you try to perfect the change.
Listening for Trouble
Sometimes, you may also hear a grumbling or squealing noise when you depress the clutch, and this may also be due to the faulty bearing. The cable may also stick inside its protective outer covering, contributing to the issue.
Dealing with Wear and Tear
A clutch mechanism should last a reasonable amount of time if you are a careful driver. However, these parts can nevertheless wear out. Remember, the clutch plate itself is made from a friction material and is guaranteed to wear down with time due to its specific task. So, you shouldn't blame your pristine driving technique but understand that it may be necessary to repair your clutch simply due to the passage of time.
Taking Action
So, take the vehicle to a competent mechanic and explain what is happening. They will be able to change the faulty parts and make the necessary adjustments so that you can get back on the road quickly. With a fully functioning clutch, you won't embarrass yourself in front of your passengers again.
For more information about car repairs, contact a local mechanic.
Share13 July 2022
