Replacing your clutch, Dual Mass Flywheel (DMF)
The Auto Assist team have been working with a wide range of clutches since the start of 2005. We have accumulated a wealth of knowledge from sourcing to fitting issues caused by the most experienced technicians. When it comes to replacing your clutch or Dual Mass Fly Wheel (DMF), leave it to us to get you the right solution fitted by trained technicians, at the best price.
Clutch and conversion kits are fitted through our Xpart Assist service providers who aim to deliver a dealer-level experience, without the costs involved by the franchised dealerships. We specialise in Audi, BMW/Mini, Volkswagen, Skoda, Seat, Ford, Mazda, Citroen/Peugeot, Mercedes, Renault, Iveco, and Fiat conversion kits and clutches.
Our Technical Director has put together this blog to help anyone wanting to know the following questions:
Q – Clutch or DMF is on its way out?
A – This is not as straightforward as it may appear. In simple terms, if your clutch is slipping, juddering, or making a burning smell, then it is likely that it is your clutch that will require replacing. However, in some cases, the gearbox gears are the causation and not the clutch. Our experts will be able to advise and assist you further.
Q – What are the replacement costs for a clutch?
A – This is all dependent on the technology your vehicle is using and the make of the vehicle, it can be as little as 250 pounds or as much as 2000 pounds.
Q – How long should a clutch last?
A – Clutches wear out. It’s common for a clutch to be replaced before a car reaches the end of its lifespan. There are a few factors that we would have to take into consideration such as driving style, the make, and model of the car as well as the technology used. Most clutches are designed to last around 60,000 miles but that said some last up to 130,000 miles.
Q – How do I know if my clutch is slipping?
A – My clutch disengages gear very quickly on both automatic and manual. On a manual vehicle, if you push down on the clutch pedal and it doesn’t take much to disengage it, then it’s probably slipping.
Q – What’s High-Efficiency Clutch Technology?
A – Our preferred OE Clutch partner, Valeo Service, has released many clutch kits that originally were self-adjusting (SAT) and have been redesigned as high efficiency (HEC) clutch. A SAT clutch is designed to maintain a constant pedal height and consistent pedal operating load as the friction material is worn away, ensuring driver comfort is maintained. It achieves this by using a ratchet system to move the pressure plate as the friction material on the drive plate is worn. On a standard clutch cover assembly, there is an operating window where the diaphragm fingers are working within ideal conditions about an arc and the clutch kit will be set up to take advantage of this. However, when the friction material on the drive plate wears by a certain amount, the cover assembly falls outside of the ideal window, causing a progressively harder to press the clutch pedal and a change in the clutch activation point.
An HEC clutch looks similar to a standard type clutch where there is no self-adjusting system incorporated into the clutch cover, but the friction material used is a high-performance design with low wear rate properties. This will mean the clutch cover assembly will be working within the ideal operating window for longer and will offer the same lifetime performance as an SAT clutch. The advantage of the low wear material used in an HEC clutch will mean the clutch will offer a longer life but suffer from a progressively heavier pedal action.
One of the main advantages that Xpart Assist has by working with the HEC clutch compared to an SAT clutch is there are no special tools needed to fit the kit and there is no possibility of prematurely activating the SAT ratchet mechanism, reducing the lifespan of the component.
By using Xpart Assist you will benefit from our unrivalled expertise based upon many years of experience and expert knowledge.
Our expertise in supply chain management is unrivalled and enhanced through a collaborative approach with OE suppliers and manufactures globally this enables us to offer you the best value and service levels in our industry.
Have your clutch fitted with peace of mind by Xpart Assist knowing that you have the right components, fitted at the right price.
Xpert blogging since 2009. In collaboration with
