What does the clutch hose do?
The clutch hose (or clutch line) is a flexible hose found on your vehicle’s manual transmission / gearbox system. Most hoses are made out of heavy-duty rubber with a metal braid so that they can flex as the engine / manual transmission / gearbox move while driving.
When you push down the clutch pedal, the clutch hose delivers brake fluid under hydraulic pressure from the clutch master cylinder to the clutch slave cylinder, allowing you to engage and change gears smoothly.
Causes of clutch hose damage:
Although replacing the clutch hose is not part of most vehicle maintenance schedules, it can still become worn over time and need to be replaced. This is due to the high amount of pressure the clutch is under. Clutch hose problems are much more common in vehicles with high mileage as continuous heating and cooling under the car bonnet in your engine bay can cause the clutch hose to perish and crack over time.
On rare occasions the clutch hose rubber can also swell up and become blocked inside, not allowing clutch fluid (brake fluid) through the clutch hose, and therefore your clutch stop working altogether. Or the internally swollen clutch hose can act like a one way valve, where the clutch fluid is allowed to go through under high hydraulic pressure but can’t come back out (under the lower return pressure).
This can mean your clutch is either constantly fully or partially engaged, which may prevent you driving the car, or quickly burn your clutch out through clutch slippage.
Symptoms of a failing clutch hose:
Difficulty changing gears – A damaged or perished clutch hose will not be able to carry fluid correctly. This will result in the gears not shifting as easily as normal. In severe cases, all of the available fluid may leak from the hose, causing the gears to not work at all.
Visible leaks around the vehicle – You may notice that your vehicle is leaking brake fluid, which is used and stored by the clutch master cylinder reservoir. Brake fluid is a clear, thin liquid that may appear underneath your engine, under your clutch or around your wheels. Brake fluid leaks can be dangerous, as they affect your vehicle’s braking ability. Brake fluid is also highly toxic and corrosive on paint.
No resistance in clutch pedal – Normally, you should be able to feel some resistance in your car’s clutch pedal when you push it down. If the clutch hose is leaking, your pedal will go down without much force being applied. If the leak is bad enough, this can stop the vehicle from being able to engage or switch gears.
Clutch Hose Inspection & Replacement in Hamilton
At Grimmer Motors, we are experienced in all sorts of clutch repairs. This allows for us to quickly and correctly diagnose the source of your vehicle’s clutch problems. We can then provide fast, efficient, high-quality replacements that you can rely on and trust.
For reliable, quality clutch hose diagnostics and replacement in Hamilton, contact Grimmer Motors today!