How to Diagnose Clutch Problems in Your Car

We’ve all been there. A strange noise emanates from somewhere in your car, perhaps just a slight rattle, or a brief indication that it might be time for your old beauty to be looked at by a specialist. This is totally normal, as our cars are used almost every day, but there are a few key parts that may cause longer-term headaches if not looked at right away. 

This includes the clutch, which is used multiple times during any trip you may take as you go about your daily business. How do we go about diagnosing a problem with our clutches, if we have a hunch that there may be trouble in paradise? Let’s explore this a little. 

General Wear & Tear in Car Parts

Often thought to be poor manufacturing, something you have to keep in mind with clutches and other important car parts, is that you’re using these each time you take a trip, often multiple times in and quite possibly for an extended period of time. 

Ever noticed how your kettle starts giving you problems after a few months, because, well, you use it each day? Cars are similar. So while parts can be temperamental, it’s not always the most worthwhile experience to blame the manufacturer right away. It is your responsibility to consider the overall health and maintenance of your vehicle, keeping in mind that while you rack up the kilometers over time, there are hundreds of components doing a lot of work in the process.

Diagnosing Common Clutch Problems

If you’re convinced that your clutch is taking some strain, be it from not engaging or disengaging as efficiently as it used to, it’s worth answering a few questions in mind to help you get a step closer to deciding on the next step for you to resolve the problem:

  • Is there a particular noise when engaging and disengaging?
  • Is there some chatter on the pedal when you accelerate?
  • Does it feel like the clutch pedal is pulsating?
  • Is the clutch pedal feeling loose, stuck on the floor or hard to engage?
  • Is it harder than usual for you to shift gears?
  • Is it impossible to get the car into gear?
  • Pay attention to the noise the car makes while in neutral. Is there any grinding, whirling or chirping noises you’re aware of? 

What To Do Once You’ve Diagnosed That It’s a Clutch Problem

If you’re answer to any of the questions is ‘yes’, and you’ve used all your senses to conclude that something is wrong, it is definitely time to speak to a technician about the problem. If you’re thinking of going further into what the actual problem may be, keep in mind, that for each of the questions outlined, there are more the five possible problems that can be associated with it, which will take you a long time to decipher by simply doing internet searches. On an investment like a vehicle, it is best to go directly to an expert, and then to rather do your research after, cross referencing the analysis with the experiences of others. 

Who Can I Call About Clutch Problems?

While there are many garages and workshops in Gauteng, only a few have the kind of reputation that Safety Brake & Clutch has. They’ve been around the block for many years, and are always on hand to tackle any car-related problems you may have, especially when it comes to your brake and clutch. Don’t take any chances, be it for your personal vehicle, or a light commercial vehicle for your business.