If your clutch is feeling spongy or soft, this is a sign that it needs to be replaced. In some cases, we here at Mechanic One Auto Repair & European Auto Repair may be able to adjust the clutch to correct the problem. It’s important to understand, however, that a spongy clutch is a sign that your vehicle’s clutch has reached the end of its life. This is just one of many signs of a bad clutch. Here are the other signs.
Acceleration Hesitation
One of the first things you might notice when your clutch is having problems is that your vehicle will hesitate when you try to accelerate. This is an indication that the clutch is not engaging enough to turn your vehicle’s wheels. It’s possible that the clutch is engaging initially and then slipping. This is definitely a sign that you need to replace your clutch.
Burning Smells
You may also notice burning odors coming from the clutch if it is slipping or not engaging completely. Your clutch should never smell hot. If it does, there’s definitely a problem with worn internal mechanisms, and the clutch is not operating as it should be. Have your clutch checked out right away.
Difficulty Shifting Gears
If you are having problems shifting gears, this is definitely a sign of a bad clutch. The clutch’s internal mechanisms have worn out, and it can no longer shift through the gear cycle. Problems shifting gears include difficulty getting your vehicle into gear, and inability to shift through the gear cycle, or your transmission slipping out of gear once it’s in gear.
Grinding Sounds
You may have heard grinding sounds when you first learned how to drive using a clutch, but you shouldn’t hear them anymore. You shouldn’t hear any sounds as you shift through the gear cycle except the difference in your engine’s RPMs. If you hear grinding, your clutch is not engaging and disengaging properly and it needs to be adjusted or replaced. You also shouldn’t hear any squeaking as you press down and release the clutch.
Higher Catch Point
Finally, also called the bite point, when a clutch wears down it produces a higher catch point. This is the point at which you shift gears. If you have noticed that your bite point is higher than normal lately, your clutch needs to be adjusted or replaced.
We can help you with this here at Mechanic One Auto Repair & European Auto Repair in Canton, OH. We are European automobile specialists and we’d be happy to inspect your clutch.
