Clutch Adjustment
Also called clutch setting
Clutch adjustment sets the free play in a cable operated clutch so the release bearing is not under constant load and the clutch releases fully. Too little free play makes the clutch slip and wears the bearing; too much means the clutch drags and gears grind. It is a quick job on cars with a cable clutch. It is not a fix for a worn clutch plate, and if a recent adjustment has already moved the pedal to its limit, the clutch itself is near the end of its life.
Signs you need this
- The biting point is very high or very close to the floor
- Gears grind slightly when selecting first or reverse
- The clutch feels like it drags even with the pedal fully down
- Free play at the top of the pedal feels excessive
- The pedal has changed feel gradually over recent weeks
Not all of these have to be present, and one of them on its own can mean something else entirely. That is what the diagnosis is for.
What the job includes
- Measurement of pedal free play and total travel before adjustment
- Cable, linkage and pivot points inspected for stretch, fraying and seizure
- Free play set to the maker's specification
- Gear selection checked with the engine running and the pedal down
- Cable lubricated or its condition reported where it is stiff
- Honest report if the adjustment range is already used up
How we do it
Measure the travel
Free play and total pedal travel are measured against specification rather than adjusted by feel alone.
Inspect the cable
The cable and its pivots are checked for fraying, stretch and stiffness, since adjusting a failing cable only delays it.
Set the free play
The adjuster is set to the specified free play so the bearing is unloaded but the clutch still releases fully.
Test gear selection
With the engine running, first and reverse are selected to confirm clean engagement with no drag or grind.
How we work
The same on every job, which is why we can write it down.
Diagnosis before quote
We find the fault first. A price given over the phone for a noise nobody has heard is a guess.
The price is agreed first
You approve the work and the cost before a spanner is picked up. Extra work means another call.
Parts you can check
We tell you whether a part is genuine, OEM, aftermarket or used, and what each one costs.
Old parts returned
Ask and we will hand back whatever we replaced. It is the simplest proof that the job was done.
Book clutch adjustment
Fill this in and a person will call you back to confirm the time and the price. Only your name and one way to reach you are required.
You send this
Takes a minute. No payment, no obligation.
We call you
To confirm the car, the time and the location.
Tell us the car and the symptom
We will arrange a mechanic at your location, or a slot at the nearest workshop. No payment until the price is agreed.