3 Signs The Clutch In Your Car's Manual Transmission Is Going Bad
Posted on: 29 January 2019
If you have noticed lately that your car is having problems shifting gears, you may wonder whether there is an issue with the clutch. If so, look for the following signs that the clutch in your car's manual transmission is starting to go bad.
1. Lack of Resistance When Depressing the Clutch Pedal
Normally, when you push down on the clutch pedal before manually shifting gears, you feel some resistance as the clutch is engaged to allow you to shift. Typically, the pedal never fully reaches the floor before you are able to complete the shift.
However, if there is a lack of resistance while you are depressing the pedal, or if the pedal quickly hits the floor as soon as you put your foot on it, the clutch's gears may not be engaging properly because they are either out of alignment or worn down. Eventually, you may not be able to shift the gears no matter how far or hard you push down on the pedal.
2. Vibrations Are Felt While Shifting Gears
Another sign that your car's clutch is going bad is when you start feeling the pedal vibrate under your foot while you shift gears. Normally, the pedal should go down smoothly, and you may only feel the slight, normal vibrations of the car while the motor is running.
However, if the clutch gears are worn down, the vibrations they cause will transfer to the pedal. You will these strong vibrations as the transmission attempts to shift the gears. Eventually, you may even start to feel the pedal pulsate as the gears push against one another.
3. Loud Noises When Engaging the Clutch
Except for the slight roar of the engine as it revs up before shift gears, you should never hear any odd noises when you push down on the clutch pedal. However, as the clutch wears out, you may start to hear loud sounds every time you attempt to engage the clutch.
At first, you may hear a high-pitch squeal as you push the pedal down. However, this sound may turn into a grinding noise as the clutch's condition worsens. If you do start to hear grinding, the clutch is getting ready to completely fail, and you should have it looked at right away.
If you notice any of the above signs while attempting to shift gears, your transmission's clutch is most likely going bad and needs immediate attention. Take your car to a transmission repair shop, like AAA Commercial Transmission, so they can inspect the clutch and discuss your options for either repairing or replacing it.
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