Renault clutch kit replacement

What does a clutch do? And what is a clutch kit?

The clutch is a solid metal disc that couples the crankshaft and flywheel to the gearbox’s clutch shaft. The clutch is located between the engine and transmission to temporarily disconnect the engine drive from the gearbox.

A clutch kit usually contains all the elements to replace and rejuvenate your clutch and its performance: usually a clutch disc, pressure plate, flywheel and a throw race or release bearings. A clutch kit will contain the correct parts for a particular make and model of car and is often cheaper than buying the components individually.

How often should a clutch need replacing?

There isn’t a typical time or set mileage suggested to replace a clutch kit, as it can depend on both the car and your driving style. Most clutches are designed to last approximately 60k miles, yet they can have a healthy life covering mileages anywhere between 30k and 100k.

The law, vehicle regulations and your MOT

A damaged or broken clutch will affect your car’s driving ability to the point where it could fail its MOT. Testing doesn’t include an examination of the engine, clutch or gearbox, so if it appears to be working adequately, then it shouldn’t affect the test result.

What happens when we replace your clutch kit?

• Our efficient and fully qualified mechanics will test your clutch for damage and function.
• Wherever necessary your clutch will be replaced and you’ll be advised of any other connected or associated issues arising from the process.
• You will also be advised of any other parts that may need to be replaced for the best operation and health of your vehicle.
• Once the clutch kit has been replaced, our mechanics will test it thoroughly to ensure its correct operation and make any adjustments required for premium performance.

What causes a clutch to stop working correctly?

A clutch will wear out over time through continual use. The disc thickness reduces, which affects the amount of force the pressure plate can apply to the clutch disc against the flywheel. Incorrect use over extended periods will impact the lifespan and cause unnecessary problems. Slippage can also be caused by reduced tension in the pressure plate’s springs.

Symptoms of a malfunctioning clutch

The clutch slips while driving

If you feel a loss or inappropriate delivery of power when using the accelerator, it could be due to a damaged or worn clutch.

Changing gears is a problem

If you can’t change gears or it feels like there is unusual grinding and friction when trying, your clutch isn’t separating the engine drive from the gearbox sufficiently.

The car doesn’t move

If there is no delivery of power to the engine from the accelerator, then your clutch could be the problem.

Your gearbox makes unusual and unhealthy noises

If the transmission makes unhealthy grinding noises when you try to use the clutch to engage or disengage the engine, there’s a strong chance that your clutch isn’t operating as it should.

Renault

Groupe Renault is a French multinational automobile manufacturer, established over 120 years ago in 1899.

How popular is Renault in the United Kingdom?

This French marque has around 1.4million vehicles on the road in the UK today. Their numbers peaked between 2007 and 2008 at over 2million vehicles, yet have been on a slow decline ever since.

Sensibly priced options for middle of the road vehicles

Renault makes a wide-ranging selection of respectable vehicles.

As you’ll find with most manufacturers in today’s market, the cream of their crop lies with their SUV models. Other stand-outs are the RS models built for a much more fun driving experience and the electric models that are also sitting impressively in a steadily growing market.

Renault: a constant contender in all manner of motorsports

In the 1970s, Renault set up a dedicated motorsport division that went on to take the winners title in the Le Mans 24 Hours in 1978, with the Renault Alpine A442. They have been competing and achieving successes in both rallying and Formula One ever since.

Renault Formula One

Renault debuted their first formula one car (and team) at Silverstone in 1977; it was the first of its kind to include a turbo engine. The team continued until 1986 and shortly after, in 1989, they began to supply engines to the successful Williams-Renault car.

The Benetton team was renamed Renault F1 in 2002, and the team went on to win the constructors championship in both 2005 and 2006 with Spaniard Fernando Alonso at the wheel.

More recently, Renault powered the winning Red Bull Racing team in 2010 and returned to racing as a team in their own right, from the 2016 season onwards.

Renault’s reliability and reputation

Renault ranked 19th place out of 30 car brands in the What Car? Reliability Survey in 2018. The highest to lowest scores ranged from 97.7% (Suzuki) to 76.5% (Land Rover), suggesting Renault’s 91.7% rating is probably a little better than the ranking position suggests.

Recent Renault recalls and reliability issues

Various recalls have been made on Renault models throughout their motoring history. The following are a list of the most recent in the UK and Europe.

05/04/2019 – Renault Scenic, Renault Kadjar and Renault Megane (2018)

Capacitors may crack under mechanical stress of the electronic board and overheat

24/03/2019 – Renault Traffic (2017–2018)

The mounting position of the plastic belt guides may be incorrect

12/01/2019 – Renault Clio and Renault Captur (2018)

The catalytic converter has not been correctly welded

04/01/2019 – Renault Megane RS (2018)

Due to a defect in the engine compartment, the battery wiring could be cut

04/05/2018 – Renault Scenic (2016)

The LED module for monitoring and managing the actuation of the rear lights of the trailer could be damaged

13/04/2018 – Renault Clio and Renault Captur (2012–2017)

The dipped headlamp beams may face downwards as a result of the headlamp beam height correction system not working

13/04/2018 – Renault Clio, Renault Captur and Renault Zoe (2017)

Cracks may form in the front wheel hub

08/04/2018 – Renault Zoe (2016–2018)

A component in the parking brake mechanism may be defective

All recall information sourced from gov.co.uk data.