A clutch wears so gradually that most drivers adapt without noticing, until the day the revs rise and the car doesn't pick up speed. If you need a clutch repair in Maidenhead, we can help: NRH Autoworks replaces clutches, fits replacement gearboxes and repairs driveshafts at our garage on Windsor Road in Bray, for drivers from Maidenhead, Windsor and nearby villages.
Enter your registration on the enquiry form so we know the exact engine and gearbox fitted, then describe what the car is doing: slipping, juddering, crunching into gear, clicking on full lock. We'll get back to you by phone or email to discuss it and arrange a time to assess the car.
What we can help with
- Clutch replacement
- Pressure plates and release bearings
- Dual-mass flywheel checks and replacement
- Replacement gearboxes supplied and fitted
- Driveshafts, CV joints and CV boots
- Manual and automatic transmission fluid changes
Signs of a clutch or transmission problem
- The revs rise but the car doesn't speed up to match
- The biting point is right at the top of the pedal travel
- Judder through the car as you pull away
- Gears that crunch or are difficult to select
- A burning smell after hill starts or towing
- Clicking from the front wheels on full lock
- A rattle at idle that changes when you press the clutch pedal
Clutch replacement
The clutch is a friction plate clamped between the engine's flywheel and a sprung pressure plate, and like brake pads the friction material wears away. As it thins, the biting point climbs and eventually the clutch slips: the revs rise, especially in higher gears or uphill, but the car doesn't accelerate to match. A burning smell, judder when pulling away and difficulty selecting gears are other signs.
Replacing a clutch means removing the gearbox, so it makes sense to renew everything in there at once: friction plate, pressure plate and release bearing. Many modern cars, diesels especially, also have a dual-mass flywheel to smooth out vibration. These wear too, giving a rattle at idle or a thump when the engine stops. We check the flywheel with the gearbox off and advise whether it needs replacing.
Gearbox replacement
It's worth being clear about what we do here. We don't rebuild gearboxes in-house; where a gearbox has failed we supply and fit a replacement unit. The same applies to automatics: we don't carry out internal automatic transmission repairs. Before condemning a gearbox we check the simpler causes of poor gear selection, a worn clutch, a stretched cable or loose linkage, low or degraded oil, because those are far more common. If a replacement is needed, we'll talk you through the options.
Driveshafts and CV joints
Driveshafts carry drive from the gearbox to the wheels, with a constant velocity (CV) joint at each end so they can cope with steering and suspension movement. Each joint is packed with grease and sealed by a rubber boot. When a boot splits, the grease is flung out, grit gets in and the joint wears quickly. The classic symptom is a rhythmic clicking on full lock. Caught early, a new boot may be all that's needed; otherwise we replace the joint or the complete driveshaft.
Transmission fluid
Gearbox oil doesn't get the attention engine oil does, but it still does a hard job. Manual gearboxes and automatics each use their own specific fluid, and using the wrong one causes problems. Some manufacturers specify a change interval and others don't, so check your handbook. Fresh fluid can improve a notchy or hesitant shift, though it won't cure mechanical wear. Transmission fluid changes are part of our servicing work, so you can ask for one alongside a service.
Clutch & Gearbox: common questions
How do I know if my clutch is slipping?
The clearest sign is the engine revs climbing under firm acceleration in a higher gear while the car doesn't gather speed to match. It tends to show first on hills or when the car is loaded. A biting point very high up the pedal is an earlier warning. Tell us what you've noticed and we'll assess it.
Does the flywheel need replacing with the clutch?
Not always. A solid flywheel can often stay if its surface is in good condition. A dual-mass flywheel is a wearing part, and if it has excessive play it makes sense to replace it while the gearbox is out, because most of the labour is shared. We inspect it and advise rather than replacing it by default.
Do you rebuild or repair gearboxes?
No. We don't rebuild gearboxes in-house and we don't carry out internal repairs to automatic transmissions. Where a gearbox has failed, we supply and fit a replacement unit. We'll always check first that the fault really is inside the gearbox, since clutch, linkage and fluid problems can produce very similar symptoms.
What is the clicking noise when I turn on full lock?
A rhythmic click from a front wheel while turning tightly, such as when manoeuvring in a car park, usually means a worn outer CV joint, often after its rubber boot has split and let the grease out. It gets steadily worse, so it's worth having it looked at before the joint fails completely.
Can I keep driving with a slipping clutch?
For a short while, gently, but it only gets worse, and a clutch that slips badly can leave you unable to pull away or climb a hill. Heavy slipping also overheats the flywheel, which can add to the repair. It's best to get in touch once you notice it rather than wait for it to fail.