The clutch is one of the hardest-working components in a car and withstands enormous speed differentials, pressure and heat.
It’s also one of those components that you don’t really think about until it stops working.
A good clutch should enable smooth and silent gearchanges while a bad clutch – be it burnt out, distorted or just worn – will quickly make you fall out of love with your classic car.
The clutch consists of three main parts: the clutch plate, which is made of friction material and transfers drive from the flywheel to the gearbox input shaft; the pressure plate, which uses springs to ‘push’ the clutch plate against the flywheel; and the release bearing, which moves the pressure plate to release the clutch plate – and disengage the clutch – when the pedal is pressed.
Given that changing a clutch involves removing the gearbox and often the engine, too, it’s cost-effective to replace all three items, none of which typically wears in isolation.
Remember that older clutches contain asbestos, so wear appropriate protective gear, and reassemble using new nylock nuts or shake-proof washers where appropriate.
STEP 1: IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM
It’s crucial that you know what’s wrong before diving in, especially if you have to pull the engine out.
