DT-07Transmission
Manual Transmission and Clutch Repair
Manual transmissions and clutches wear differently than automatics, and they usually let you know when something is wrong. A slipping clutch, grinding gears or a pedal that feels different are all worth checking.
Signs you need this
- Engine revs rise but the car doesn't speed up to match
- Grinding when you shift into gear
- Hard to get into gear, or it pops out of gear
- Clutch pedal feels soft, spongy or sticks to the floor
- A burning smell after driving in traffic
- Chatter or shudder when you let the clutch out
- A noise that changes when you press the clutch pedal
What we do
- Road test and inspection to find where the problem is
- Clutch replacement: clutch disc, pressure plate and release bearing
- Flywheel inspection, with replacement when needed
- Hydraulic clutch repairs, including master and slave cylinders
- Manual transmission diagnosis and repair
- Road test before pickup
More about manual & clutch
We diagnose the problem first, because not every clutch complaint needs a new clutch. Sometimes it's a hydraulic part or a worn shifter part, which is a smaller repair.
Clutch or transmission?
In a manual vehicle, the clutch connects and disconnects the engine from the transmission. The clutch is a wear item, like brakes. How long it lasts depends a lot on how and where you drive, and Broward County traffic doesn't help.
A few clues help tell the problems apart:
- Slipping: the engine revs up but the car doesn't speed up to match. That usually points to a worn clutch.
- Grinding going into gear: this can be a clutch that isn't fully letting go, or worn synchronizers, the parts inside the transmission that match gear speeds.
- Soft or sinking pedal: often a hydraulic problem, like a leaking master or slave cylinder, not the clutch itself.
- Noise that goes away when you press the pedal often points to a bearing inside the transmission. Noise that starts when you press it often points to the release bearing.
What a clutch job includes
A clutch replacement usually means a new clutch disc, pressure plate and release bearing. We inspect the flywheel and tell you if it needs to be replaced. Many newer vehicles use a dual-mass flywheel, which is normally replaced rather than resurfaced when it's worn.
Every job starts with a diagnosis and a written estimate. Nothing is done without your OK, and if we find something once it's apart, we call first. We road test before you pick it up.
Questions about manual & clutch
How do I know if my clutch is slipping?
The clearest sign is engine speed rising without the car speeding up to match, most often when you accelerate hard in a higher gear. A burning smell after heavy traffic is another clue. If you notice either, get it checked before it gets worse.
Why is my clutch pedal soft or stuck to the floor?
That usually points to the hydraulic side: low fluid, air in the system, or a leaking master or slave cylinder. It's often a smaller repair than a clutch replacement. It's also a safety issue, since you may not be able to get out of gear, so don't wait on it.
Should the flywheel be replaced with the clutch?
Not always. We inspect it when the clutch is out and tell you what we find. If it needs replacing, you see that on the estimate before we do it.
Downtown Transmissions · Plantation
Not sure what it is? That's what the diagnosis is for.
Written estimate before any work. Nothing gets done without your OK. Mon to Fri, 8 AM to 5 PM.