Clutch Fault Identification and Troubleshooting

Clutch jerking

Faulty engine and gearbox mounts

• Check, replace if necessary

Poorly mounted gearbox support

• Tighten the fixing bolts

The pressure plate does not fit evenly

• Replace disc

The driven disc is not an original part

• Replace driven disk. Install original part

The crankshaft is not aligned with the input shaft of the gearbox

• Check the centering surfaces of the engine and gearbox

Clutch release fork pushes to one side

• Check the clutch release fork.

Clutch slipping

Worn clutch disc

• Check thickness of disc friction lining, replace if necessary

Stuck clutch slave cylinder

• Replace cylinder

Diaphragm spring tension too low

• Replace pressure plate

Leaky hydraulic clutch slave cylinder

• Perform a visual check

Hardened or oily friction lining

• Replace clutch disc

Clutch overheated

• Install new original clutch

Clutch not disengaging well

Friction lining covered with abrasion products

• Replace clutch disc

Clutch disc stuck on gearbox input shaft, spline joint dry or stuck together

• Clean spline, deburr, remove rust if necessary and lubricate again, e.g. apply molybdenum powder

Lateral runout of the clutch disc

• Check disk, replace if necessary

Leaky primary (main) cylinder

• With the clutch pedal depressed, see if the brake fluid is seething in the reservoir. Replace cylinder

Clutch pedal does not reach limit stop

• Check if the limiter is reached. Cut the rug if necessary

Defective release bearing

• Check bearing

Air in hydraulic system

• Bleed air from clutch actuator

Faulty input shaft centering bearing in flywheel

• Replace flywheel centering (needle) bearing

Driven disc warped or friction lining damaged

• Replace pressure plate

Noise when clutch pedal depressed

Defective clutch release bearing

• Check release bearing, replace it

Clutch disc hitting pressure plate

• Replace clutch disc

Rising and falling noise when pushing or towing the vehicle, or when driving with the clutch disengaged

The course of the torsion springs of the clutch disc is difficult

• Replace clutch disc

Loose rivets on clutch pressure plate

• Replace disc

Too much clutch imbalance

• Replace pressure and driven discs