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:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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:
- Some issues in shifting
gears
- Clutch might start slipping or shudder
- 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:
- Screwdriver
- Socket
- Jack
- Jack stands
- Engine hoist
- Clutch alignment tool
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: -
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.