What wears out a clutch

merc123

Active Member

Jan 27, 2003

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39

North GA

Apr 22, 2004

#1

• Apr 22, 2004

• #1

I know that riding a clutch wears it out but what else?

As far as I know I've only "burned" it once as I could smell a little odor from what I was first starting to learn to drive. Also, does downshifting and NOT RPM matching do it? For example, downshift and slip clutch while braking at the same time.

 

JonJon

Founding Member

Aug 16, 2002

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back in Marylands

Apr 22, 2004

#2

• Apr 22, 2004

• #2

i think downshifting without matching rpms hurts the drivetrain more than it does the clutch
but wears the clutch more too, you're slipping it more than if you rev matched

 

R

Roger_4.6_96

Founding Member

Jul 16, 2002

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Reno,NV

Apr 22, 2004

#3

• Apr 22, 2004

• #3

everything burns up your clutch even pushing the clutch in

 

T

TripleBlk

Member

Nov 12, 2002

312

3

19

Cape Canaveral FL

Apr 22, 2004

#4

• Apr 22, 2004

• #4

Driving with your foot resting on the clutch pedal would cause it to wear pretty quickly. You also need to keep them adjusted every few thousand mi or so. Finally, try not to downshift to 1st while going more than 5 mph.

 

twogts4us

15 Year Member

Apr 1, 2004

4,188

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Dunedin, FL

Apr 22, 2004

#5

• Apr 22, 2004

• #5

Dumping, or sidestepping the clutch is probably the worst thing, unless the clutch is able to grab, but then, the result is shock to the drivetrain. Anytime the engine speed does not match the clutch speed, wear results. Remember, a clutch operates on friction...like brakes - so some wear always occurs. But, as stated, there is tradeoff though...hard shifting shocks the drivetrain.

 

merc123

Active Member

Jan 27, 2003

420

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39

North GA

Apr 22, 2004

#6

• Apr 22, 2004

• #6

1. How do you adjust it?

2. So when getting on it and you bark the tires when you hit 2nd gear is that the clutch or the drivetrain? What if it doesn't bark the tires but a smooth transition while shifting at 4k RPM from 1st to 2nd?

 

SANZ

New Member

May 11, 2003

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SE Michigan

Apr 22, 2004

#7

• Apr 22, 2004

• #7

merc123 said:

I know that riding a clutch wears it out but what else?

Click to expand...

Letting your girlfriend drive your car

 

merc123

Active Member

Jan 27, 2003

420

2

39

North GA

Apr 22, 2004

#8

• Apr 22, 2004

• #8

You're the dummy for letting her drive My g/f doesn't drive any stick that is attached to any cars I own. By that I mean automatic or manual which means she doesn't drive ANY of my cars

 

SANZ

New Member

May 11, 2003

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SE Michigan

Apr 22, 2004

#9

• Apr 22, 2004

• #9

Well sometimes I have a few too many pops and I don't have a choice

 

White Stang

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Feb 11, 2004

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Ft Lauderdale

Apr 22, 2004

#10

• Apr 22, 2004

• #10

Alot of engine and alot of grip

 

merc123

Active Member

Jan 27, 2003

420

2

39

North GA

Apr 22, 2004

#11

• Apr 22, 2004

• #11

What about clutch dumping for burnouts? I mean, I see quite a bit of it on here.

 

HoustonGT

Gilded Gelding

Apr 6, 2003

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Houston

Apr 22, 2004

#12

• Apr 22, 2004

• #12

merc123 said:

I know that riding a clutch wears it out but what else

Click to expand...

-Me! lol
-no seriously though. Powershifting, riding the clutch, and just shifting hard and fast like during a race will prematurely wear the clutch. But most of those can't be avoided hehe.

 

02 Sonic Blue

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Jul 22, 2002

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Overland Park, KS

Apr 22, 2004

#13

• Apr 22, 2004

• #13

just dont drive it like you stole it all the time, assuming you know how to drive a stick, and your clutch should be fine...

 

merc123

Active Member

Jan 27, 2003

420

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39

North GA

Apr 22, 2004

#14

• Apr 22, 2004

• #14

Lately I've been hitting it up to about 3500-4000k just because I rarely get to drive the car while here at college so I take her out for a spin for about 20 minutes. I'll calm down in a little bit.

 

twogts4us

15 Year Member

Apr 1, 2004

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Dunedin, FL

Apr 22, 2004

#15

• Apr 22, 2004

• #15

merc123 said:

What about clutch dumping for burnouts? I mean, I see quite a bit of it on here.

Click to expand...

The tires are taking a beating at that point, not the clutch.

 

HoustonGT

Gilded Gelding

Apr 6, 2003

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Houston

Apr 23, 2004

#16

• Apr 23, 2004

• #16

twogts4us said:

The tires are taking a beating at that point, not the clutch.

Click to expand...

Actually, dumping the clutch for a burnout is hard on the tires, drivetrain, and CLUTCH. Forcing the clutch to grab after the engine is revved to 5k cause ALOT of wear.

 

DoctorGeek97GT

New Member

Feb 24, 2003

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Ottawa

Apr 23, 2004

#17

• Apr 23, 2004

• #17

Merc123 -- You adjust the clutch by pulling up on the clutch pedal and pushing it back down again. (At least that's what it says in my manual.)

 

Stangsgrl

Member

Mar 13, 2004

132

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18

Mesa, AZ

Apr 23, 2004

#18

• Apr 23, 2004

• #18

merc123 said:

You're the dummy for letting her drive My g/f doesn't drive any stick that is attached to any cars I own. By that I mean automatic or manual which means she doesn't drive ANY of my cars

Click to expand...

I guess i should feel proud! Bf lets me drive his car...i even get to take it to work next Tues (btw he's Stanglou) ...however I'm still getting used to his new clutch.

 

twogts4us

15 Year Member

Apr 1, 2004

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Dunedin, FL

Apr 24, 2004

#19

• Apr 24, 2004

• #19

HoustonGT said:

Actually, dumping the clutch for a burnout is hard on the tires, drivetrain, and CLUTCH. Forcing the clutch to grab after the engine is revved to 5k cause ALOT of wear.

Click to expand...

So true...

 

cybore

New Member

Apr 29, 2003

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San Jose, CA

Apr 24, 2004

#20

• Apr 24, 2004

• #20

DoctorGeek97GT said:

Merc123 -- You adjust the clutch by pulling up on the clutch pedal and pushing it back down again. (At least that's what it says in my manual.)

Click to expand...

Do this with the tranny in first gear (engine off of course). I think the manual says to do this every 5000 miles. If you are hard on your clutch, maybe more often.