If your clutch pedal is sinking to the floor without catching, Anderson Automotive advises that the clutch needs to be rebuilt or replaced. If you have clocked over 100,000 miles on the odometer, the clutch has likely reached the end of its life. There may be a chance that we can fix the problem by adjusting the clutch if it does not have any internal damage. Aside from sinking to the floor, here are other signs that it’s time to install a new clutch in your car, truck, or utility vehicle.
Higher Catch Point
Before the clutch refuses to catch, the catch point might get higher. This is a common sign that the clutch is going out and it needs to be replaced. The change in location may be subtle at first, but, eventually, you will notice that the clutch is catching much higher than it normally does.
Strange Sponginess
You may also feel a strange sponginess to the clutch pedal if the clutch is going bad. We can inspect the clutch thoroughly to see if rebuilding it will solve the problem. If it will, we can do this for you. If it won’t, we will need to replace the clutch with a new one. Again, if your vehicle has over 100,000 miles on it, this is the average lifespan of the factory clutch. It makes sense that it would need to be replaced.
Burning/Hot Odors
Another sign that the clutch needs to be replaced is burning or hot odors coming from it. This points to a problem with the clutch staying engaged. In other words, it gets engaged when you first press down on it but slips out of engagement almost right away. This prevents the clutch from being able to take the power in the engine and move it to the transmission. This also overheats the clutch.
Shifting Problems
Naturally, if the power is still with the engine, you will have problems shifting through the gear cycle in the manual transmission. Unfortunately, difficulties shifting gears is definitely a sign that it’s time for a new clutch. You shouldn’t have an issue shifting the gears or hear grinding or squealing noises.
Acceleration Lag
Your vehicle also shouldn’t hesitate to accelerate when you press down on the accelerator after you have shifted a gear. If it does, the transmission does not have the power from the engine.
Call Anderson Automotive in Marion, IA, today to schedule a service visit for a clutch inspection if your clutch is doing any of the things listed above.