How a Clutch System Works and How to Diagnose Issues With It

In this video I am going to show you how the clutch on your car works and operates but not only that I'll also show you how you can diagnose issues with your clutch, like a slipping clutch, soft clutch peddle, issues with the master and slave cylinders and noise issues when you depress the clutch peddle.

Here are some other video's you may find interesting:

Disclaimer:
Due to factors beyond the control of Ratchets and Wrenches, it cannot guarantee against unauthorized modifications of this information, or improper use of this information. Ratchets and Wrenches assumes no liability for any property or personal damage that may arise from doing a repair on your vehicle after watching any of my repair video's. Due to factors beyond the control of Ratchets and Wrenches, no information contained in this video shall create any express or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Again Any injury, damage or loss that may result from improper use of tools, equipment, or the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not Ratchets and Wrenches.

[preshannaidoo]

This really needs more views. Very plainly and clearly explained. He delves right into the reasoning behind the diagnosis. Thank you.

[stephencook]

Higher than normal rpm readings per gear and loud noises on acceleration and delayed acceleration are big time signs of a bad clutch. Excellent video.

[dominicjeanb]

One of the best, most concise full explanation videos on clutch systems I’ve seen yet, great job

[likits]

Thanks man. I've been working on cars all my life and had my first clutch car in the 80s but sold it soon after. I never bought another clutch car again, even though it didn't give me problems. I got another clutch car now and it appears that the throw out bearing is going out so you finally taught me the science behind how a clutch works and how to troubleshoot it. Thanks again and keep up your great work of instructing us about cars.

[dineshmourya]

I really appreciate If you keep the video short. Straight to the point.

[wholeNwon]

I watched this even though I have an auto. trans. You deserve a LOT more subscribers!

[dwaynemadsen]

Thank you, I like to watch several videos of the same subject to get a variety of views, and more examples and stories for clarification. You are the first video to even mention the pilot bearing, and the first to use the term "throw out" bearing, which is what my dad always called it! Also, +1 for crush pedal!

[AzureNative]

Very educational, thank you SO much. Just had a master cylinder & clutch assembly replaced, but the culprit, $1000 later, was the $31 throw out fork, lol! Gotta take it back in because when I release the clutch pedal, about halfway back up it sticks, then suddenly "pops" the rest of the way up. It's actually an audible "thump" sound too as it pops back up. I wish this video would have given me a clue as to why it's doing that. I just can't figure it out. Just spent 2 weeks without my car (2002 Subaru Forester), living in the country and a full time single mom, whew! I'm loathe to take her back in, but I don't want that thousand bucks to multiply!

If every driver knew the basic mechanics of how their cars work, I don't think we'd be in the shop quite so much, lol! Thanks for including your bloopers, I was laughing with you! Comic relief is so very necessary when working on cars, gosh how my dad would swear and throw tools, when he'd make me "help" (really just watch) as he worked on cars out in our driveway. He really needed a son, lol! I'm grateful, I can install brakes, change a valve cover gasket, change tires, change oil and much more cause of dad making me "help" as a tween and teen age girl!

[innocentoctave]

This is a very clear description of the operation of the clutch system.

[DirtyFiST]

Hey, dude. Just wanna say that you honestly make some of the best educational videos out there.

[georgeotty]

Best explanation of every part of the clutch system. Heck you even cover the good old throw-out bearing. Awesome. Plus you've got some humour in the thing. Awesome work!

[MK-xfvd]

You are the best. I have looked at different videos where they explain as though they are deliberately intending to confuse!
Clearly there is no continous shaft from the crankshaft and the input shaft. This is extremely hard to imagine when one considers that stuff must be continously connected from the engine to the wheels

[kevinbrislawn]

HeyRNW, I found the neatest Hispanic mechanic when I'm lost on my car. Jose has a small 3 bay shop and he's always working with his 2 other guys. He's so nice and informative. Plus he's really open and inviting! I go in his shop and hear his guys listening to the Mexican AM station and working and doing excellent work here in Lebanon Oregon. they did an excellent job on my 2001 water pump and etc timing belt change out. I wanted to try it, but i didn't have certain tools to really do a perfect job.

[tykszeto]

I always wondered what those springs on a clutch plate was for.. thank you!

[nikrous]

Excellent, partcularly at the time 2, 09 sec to 2, 13 sec, with the role of the input shaft of transmission, something that is not so clear in many other videos. For me that is a very signifigant point.Thank you.

[rudypieplenbosch]

Finally i found well explained version, others tried but failed

[amateurtorque]

Thank you very much for this video, I never quite understood how the fingers worked on the pressure plate before watching your video.

[CSOCSO]

I had a keychain rattle noise when the clutch pedal was NOT pushed in. Once you push the pedal in all noise stopped. Also, the car was kinda shaking when I pulled away from a stop.
It turned out the flywheel was warped and burnt on 1 side. Resurfaced it and all issues are gone.

[b.altorany]

The best video explaining how a clutch works

[qeijkak]

Awesome video, super thorough, awesome flow of explanation and great troubleshooting tips. Thank you for also including information about how the computer is tied into the systems as well. I learned a lot from this video. What was especially surprising to me is that when you kill the car in a manual, I always thought it was the engine just not having enough power to turn the wheels which made the engine die, but instead its' the computer sensing an overload and shutting down, so interesting. Anyway, good vid, thank you.