Clutch Cable

Any vehicle with a manual transmission will use clutches, and even vehicles with automatic transmission have clutches. Most people think that there is only one clutch in your vehicle, but this is not true. There are actually multiple clutches and they play a major role in your vehicle operating properly. Just like with many other things in the world, clutches are an important component. Take a look at various tools such as a chainsaw or cordless drill, they both use clutches.

As you can see, the clutch is a regular part for many items, and not just with vehicles. The components associated with the clutch are also important as they keep the clutch functioning properly. The clutch cable is one important component of the clutch that should be fixed if you ever discover issues with it. This article will give you more information about the clutch cable and how to replace it if necessary.

What's the Clutch for and How Does it Work?
Before you can learn anything about the clutch cable you will need to learn what the clutch is used for so you understand the importance and functions of the clutch cable. The clutch is used to make your vehicle be able to stop, park, drive, etc, without stalling or killing your engine. Basically, your wheels have to disconnect from the engine for you to be able to stop your vehicle without causing damage to your engine. The clutch works efficiently to manage the slipping between a spinning engine and a transmission that isn't spinning.

In short, the clutch in your automobile is used to allow you to drive, or stop driving, without hurting your engine – particularly when shifting gears. It may be confusing for some, but those who have an understanding of how friction works would understand how the clutch works. The friction used in regards to your clutch plate and flywheel controls the slippage from causing major issues.

What is the Clutch Cable for?
Now that you know what the clutch is, and what it does, you can look at the clutch cable. The clutch cable is what is used to disconnect the driving functions between your vehicle's wheels and engine. The engine continues to spin, but when you stop your vehicle the wheels will have to stop spinning. Since these normally spin together there will have to be a disconnection between them. That's where the clutch cable comes into play.

When you press the clutch pedal, the plates will be disabled by the clutch cable. Now that the clutch plates are disengaged, you can shift gears properly. If you tried to shift gears without disengaging the clutch plates (with the clutch cable), it could cause serious damage to the engine, and possibly kill it.

Bad Clutch Cable
While it may not be a common problem, clutch cables can stop working. There are signs to pick up on though if there's an issue with your clutch cable. The main sign of a bad clutch cable would be that the clutch pedal stiffens up and can't be depressed easily. If your clutch cable doesn't respond properly, and possibly snaps, the clutch pedal could stick to the floor and not lift back up. In any case of a bad clutch cable, you'll have to replace it immediately.

Replacing a Clutch Cable
It would cost you about $20-30 for a new clutch cable. If you get a mechanic to complete the job you could be looking at spending a little bit more for labor costs, but it's an easy task that you should be able to complete, even with no experience.

To install a new clutch cable you will first have to remove the old, non-working one. Detach the clutch cable from the clutch pedal (usually inside your vehicle) and other attachment, which is likely around the transmission. Afterwards, just install the new clutch cable.

Replacing the clutch cable is usually an easy task but with some vehicle's it may be harder than others. You'll still have to replace the clutch cable no matter what though, as you can't safely drive your vehicle without a fully functional clutch system.

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