When the clutch pedal goes soft, sticks to the floor or the gears will not go in, the fault is often in the hydraulics rather than the clutch itself, and we can find out which.
Many cars and vans do not use a cable to work the clutch. They use fluid, pushed from a master cylinder at the pedal to a slave cylinder at the gearbox. If either part leaks or wears, the clutch can fail to release even though the friction plate is perfectly fine.
At MTS Garage Services on Chesterfield Way, we diagnose these faults so you only pay for what is actually wrong. Clutch hydraulic repairs Hayes drivers ask us about range from a weeping slave cylinder to a pedal that has lost all its resistance.
A worn clutch usually slips: the revs rise but the car does not pick up speed. A hydraulic fault behaves differently. The pedal may feel spongy, drop to the floor and stay there, or rise slowly. Gears may crunch or refuse to engage, especially first and reverse. You might see fluid on the carpet at the pedal, or find the reservoir level dropping with no visible leak outside. These signs point at the cylinders or the pipe between them, so a full clutch strip may not be needed.
The master cylinder sits behind the pedal and turns your foot pressure into hydraulic pressure. The slave cylinder, on or inside the gearbox bell housing, receives that pressure and pushes the release mechanism. Both contain rubber seals that harden or tear with age. A job that calls for clutch master cylinder replacement Hayes mechanics deal with often starts with a pedal that sinks. A job that calls for clutch slave cylinder replacement Hayes drivers need often starts with fluid leaking near the gearbox.
On some vehicles the slave cylinder is a separate bolt-on part reached from underneath. On many others it is built into the clutch release bearing inside the bell housing, which means the gearbox must be removed to reach it. That is why we talk to you about the clutch itself at the same time. If access means the gearbox is out anyway, it can make sense to inspect the plate, cover and flywheel while we are there. We explain the options and you decide.
We inspect the fluid level and condition, the pedal action, the pipes and hoses, and any signs of leakage at both cylinders. After repair the system is bled so no air remains, and we test the pedal and gear selection on the road. The estimate depends on the make and model, how the slave is mounted and whether other clutch parts are replaced. Call us or get in touch, describe how the pedal behaves, and we will arrange a time to look at it.
Call us on 0208 843 9091 or send the form below and tell us about your vehicle.
Pictures are for illustration purposes only.
“Brilliant service. Very good workmanship. Would definitely use again. Fair price and top customer service”
“Always very friendly and knowledgeable and go the extra mile to get you up and running!”
“Best garage around the only one I use now for both my cars Friendly staff and management nothing is too small. Would highly recomend Quality work carried out”
It is risky. If the clutch will not release, you may struggle to select gears or stop smoothly in traffic. Some people get home by starting in gear, but we would rather you did not. Call us and we can advise on getting the vehicle in.
Only as a short-term measure. If the level drops, fluid is going somewhere, usually through a worn seal. Topping up may bring the pedal back for a while, but the leak will return and can let air into the system.
Not necessarily. A hydraulic fault can exist with a healthy clutch plate. We diagnose the cause first. If the gearbox has to come out to reach the slave cylinder, we will tell you what we can see of the clutch and discuss it.
Yes, we work on vans and cars of all makes and models. When you contact us, give the make, model, year and registration so we can look at how that vehicle's clutch is operated and what access it needs.
Tell us about your vehicle and we will be in touch.
Prefer to talk? Call 0208 843 9091. Opening hours: Monday to Friday 8:30AM - 5:30PM, Saturday 9:00AM - 1:00PM, Sunday closed.
MTS Garage Services, 5 Chesterfield Way, Hayes, Middlesex, UB3 3NW