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Things To Know Before Buying Clutch Discs

What Are Clutch Discs?

It is a friction disc which would be squeezed between the clutch pressure plate and the flywheel when there would be an engagement of the clutch. It would allow the power (torque) from the engine to be transmitted to the manual transmission. The disc would be made up of same material to brake pads, then it might start wearing out and then there would be a need to replace it.

Types of Clutch Discs

Are you searching for the different types of clutch discs? Then don’t worry! All you have to do is to have a look below and then all your doubts regarding its types would be cleared.

 

Organic - For the Average Motorist

 

It is one of the most basic types of clutch disc. There are a lot of stock clutch discs which would be classified as organic. This type can be sufficient for standard driving situations. If you just drive your car from home to work and vice versa, then an organic clutch disc would be the best for you. Just keep in mind that too much clutch can prove to be bad as well.

 

Ceramic - For the Occasional Hobbyist

 

This type of clutch disc is one step us from an organic clutch disc. If you have a performance car, then it would prove to be the best bet for a replacement clutch disc. This is because the ceramic clutch disc can take a lot more heat than its organic one.

Note: A combination of organic and ceramic is called as the hybrid clutch discs. They are similar to the organic clutch discs. The hybrid clutch disc would be more or less just a marketing ploy.

How Do Clutch Discs Work?

Are you searching how do the clutch discs actually work? Then all you have to do is to have a look below and then you will be able to understand everything.


The steel plate which would be between the pressure plate and flywheel is known as the clutch disc. This part would be like a double-sided brake pad as it would engage or disengage the surface of the pressure plate and the flywheel. There is a hub which would be in the middle of the disc. It would fit on top of the transmission’s input shaft splines. If the clutch pedal would be pressed down, then a contact would be made between the pressure plate and flywheel with the clutch disc and then the friction would be created. It would allow the car engine power to be transferred to the transmission’s input shaft from the hub of the clutch disc.

Frequent Problems with Clutch Discs

Do you want to know some frequent problems which might start occurring in the clutch discs? Take a look below to know some frequent problems with the clutch discs:

 

  1. Worn clutch plate - The clutch plate can wear out, bent or it might even get cracked with the passage of time and this can also reduce its effectiveness. If there would be a worn-out clutch plate, then it would result in the issues related to the engaging and disengaging of the clutch.
  2. Loose/missing springs - The plate springs of the clutch can become loose. Due to this the clutch might start vibrating and then it would start producing audible noises.
  3. Overheating - There can be an overheating clutch disc which would cause the material of the friction to burn. It can be caused by strain on the clutch or the clutch might start slipping.
  4. Incorrect installation - If the clutch would not be installed or modified correctly, then due to that there might be some issues in the working of the clutch plate.

Symptoms of Bad Clutch Discs

There are a few things which might cause your clutch discs to malfunction. Watch for the following symptoms if you suspect bad clutch discs:

 

  1. Some issues in shifting gears
  2. Clutch might start slipping or shudder
  3. Engine might start to "rev," but there might be no increase in the speed or the vehicle might not move at all

Tools Needed for Clutch Discs

There are a number of skilled auto mechanics who have a goal of opening their own car repair shop at some point in their career. But let’s face it; if you want to put up an efficient as well as profit making shop, then you might need much more than mechanical skills. There are a number of tools which you might need to perform the car repairs quickly as well as reliably. Auto repair equipment that you will need to repair your clutch disc may include:


Top Brands for Clutch Discs

If you know which car parts brand suits the best for your clutch disc, then it would save a lot of your decision-making time. What we believe is that picking a particular brand would always be helpful in reducing the clutter, and at the same time would make it easier for the customers to find what they are actually looking for. That’s why we have listed out some top brands for clutch disc below as follows: -


Auto 7 Clutch Discs

Exedy Clutch Discs

Total Costs & Repair Times, Effort of Clutch Discs

More than any other kind of failure in a car, there's almost nothing that's quite as heartbreaking as a completely damaged clutch disc Now when we talk about the replacement cost, it might be vary a lot even on the same car depending upon its performance, labor cost, brand etc. If you want to buy an organic clutch disc then it can be as low as $10 and if you want more specialized clutch discs, then they can turn out to be expensive as it would range between $100-$200.

How to Change Clutch Discs?

Do you want to change your clutch discs on your own? Then have a look at the steps of changing the clutch discs below:


One of the automotive constituents which is really prone to wearing out is known as the clutch disc. It cannot be helped because of its nature of its function. Now if the clutch disc would wear out, then it should be replaced. It can be very difficult to replace the clutch disc because of its location. But there is no need to worry. We are here to guide you in every step of the way.


Step 1


Now before you start the work, just be sure that the car should be parked at a level surface. The parking brake should be activated as well.


Step 2


The jack stands should be prepared up and then the front end of your vehicle should be lifted with the jack. The jack stands should be positioned under this area. Now once the vehicle would be proper up, then hoist to your engine should be attached for support.


Step 3


The transmission shifter lever should be removed if you have a rear-wheel drive automobile.


Step 4


Then the drive shaft should be taken out. Then the clutch linkage and the speedometer cable should be detached from the transmission.


Step 5


After that you should start unbolting the starter. If there would be a need to remove the electrical connections, then it is essential to remember that which wires would go where so that there would be no trouble in reconnecting them in future.


Step 6


Then you have to work on the transmission next. But now before you would start to remove the stuff, then a jack stand should be placed under the transmission’s rear to support it. Then the transmission and the transmission mount should be unbolted.


Step 7


The transmission crossmember should then be taken out from the frame. Then the attention should be turned towards the bell housing. Then you should start removing the bolts and then it should be attached to the engine block. Now once it would be done, then the jack should be lowered down which would support the transmission in order to be able to maneuver the transmission away from the engine. It would give you access to the pressure plate as well as the flywheel.


Step 8


Now before the pressure plate would be taken out, then you should note its exact position relative to the flywheel. You can always utilize marks and take some photographs so that you would not forget how to reinstall it again later on. Then the clutch alignment tool should be inserted and then the bolts should be removed pry away the pressure plate from the flywheel.


Step 9


Then it would be the time to install your new clutch disc. The pressure plate should then be reattached back to the flywheel with the help of your clutch alignment tool. The pressure plate should be re-bolted firmly to the flywheel. Just be sure that it is positioned correctly. The clutch alignment tool should then be removed afterwards.


Step 10


The process should then be performed in the reverse order so that everything can be put back in their original places.

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John Framigllia
Technical Writer
Our technical writer is known for simplifying automotive parts and services. Intuitive with various vehicles and manufacturers, he knows how to simplify complicated problems.