5 Signs Your Clutch May Be Failing

While technology has brought vast improvements to truck transmissions and electronics, the job of your clutch remains the same. It’s the “middleman” that links your engine’s flywheel to the transmission gearing.

Industry data suggests that the average lifespan of a clutch ranges from 350,000 miles, or four years, to 500,000 miles, or five to six years, depending on the truck and its application. Or course, driving habits are a big factor, too. Riding the clutch, upshifting before reaching top gear speed, and engaging the clutch while coasting will all wear a clutch out faster.

A failing clutch will show signs that it’s near the end of its life, so pay attention to the following:

1. Noise – Most people know to listen for grinding noises, but growling noises are a concern too, as they may indicate a bad release bearing.
2. Hard to shift – Difficulty getting a truck in gear, even after a recent clutch adjustment, can indicate that a disc spring is broken, among other things.
3. Unexpected engine revving – If the engine revs in higher gears when you’re on the throttle and under load, your clutch is slipping and may need to be replaced.
4. Creep – Your truck may creep forward when the clutch pedal is pushed all the way down because the clutch isn’t disengaging.
5. Drivability – Even after a clutch adjustment, your truck is still difficult to control. It launches with the slightest movement of the clutch pedal or doesn’t engage until the pedal is at the top of its release point.

When it comes time to replace a clutch contact the pros at Class8TruckParts.com.  Don't wait until your clutch has failed completely and you're stuck on the side of the road.  Use these tips to diagnose the problem in advance to prevent downtime.