Common Problems with Hydraulic Clutches

There are some common problems that may occur during the use of hydraulic clutches, mainly including:

1. The clutch pedal is too heavy: this may be caused by insufficient free travel of the clutch pedal, failure of the clutch master cylinder or working cylinder, wear of the clutch disc or air in the hydraulic system.

2. Clutch slipping: when starting the car with low-speed gear, the car can not start or difficult to start after releasing and lifting the clutch pedal; when accelerating and driving, the car speed can not be increased with the increase of the engine speed, and you feel powerless to drive, which may cause a burning smell or smoke and other phenomena in serious cases.

3. Incomplete clutch disengagement: when the clutch pedal is pressed to the end, the power between the clutch active and driven discs cannot be completely cut off, resulting in difficulty in shifting, hitting the teeth or not being able to stop the car, and the clutch is hot.

4. Clutch chattering: the whole car shakes when starting, especially when idling, hanging low gear and gradually lifting the clutch pedal to start, the car has continuity impact.

5. abnormal clutch sound: when the clutch pedal is pressed down a little, the inner face of the release bearing and the release lever just contact, the clutch will emit a continuous sound of ‘ching, ching, ching’; when the clutch is engaged at the start or separated in the middle of the journey, it causes a loud sound accompanied by shivering.

6. Hydraulic oil leakage: the aging of oil pipe, loose or damaged joints will lead to hydraulic oil leakage, the leakage may occur in the master cylinder, slave cylinder or pipeline, resulting in insufficient pressure in the system, affecting the normal operation of the clutch.

7. Excessive clutch pedal travel: This may be caused by too much air in the hydraulic system or internal wear of the master cylinder or slave cylinder.

Maintenance of hydraulic clutches

In order to prolong the service life of the hydraulic clutch and to ensure its normal operation, the following maintenance is recommended:

1. check the hydraulic fluid regularly: make sure that the level is normal and there are no leaks and change the fluid according to the manufacturer's recommendations.

2. check the clutch master and slave cylinders: check for signs of leakage or damage.

3. Check hydraulic lines: Make sure lines are not worn, cracked or leaking.

4. Remove air: If air has entered the hydraulic system, it will need to be removed to restore system performance.

5. ADJUST CLUTCH: Periodically check and adjust the clutch gap according to the manufacturer's guidelines.

6. Check clutch discs and pressure plates: although these are not part of the hydraulic system, their condition of wear can affect the performance of the clutch as a whole.

7. Avoid Prolonged Depressions: Avoid depressing the clutch pedal for long periods of time to minimise unnecessary wear.

8. Check pedal freewheeling travel: adjust to maintain proper freewheeling travel and avoid disengaging too early or too late.

9. Check the release bearing regularly: make sure it is well lubricated and replace it if necessary.

10. Cleaning and maintenance: keep the whole clutch system clean from dust and impurities.

Advantages and disadvantages of hydraulic clutches

Advantages of hydraulic clutches

1. Light and comfortable operation: Hydraulic clutches are lighter and more comfortable to operate than traditional pull-wire clutches.

2. Small frictional resistance: the frictional resistance of hydraulic clutches is relatively small, and long-term operation will not cause a significant increase in pedal force.

3. Large torque transmission capacity: under the same size, hydraulic clutches transmit much larger torque than electromagnetic clutches.

4. Lightweight operation: Hydraulic clutches reduce the driver's operating force, making driving easier.

5. Smooth response: Hydraulic systems provide a smoother and more linear clutch engagement feel.

6. More adaptable: Hydraulic clutches can better adapt to different driving conditions and provide more stable clutch performance.

7. Automatic compensation: It can automatically adapt to clutch disc wear and maintain consistent operating characteristics.

8. Suitable for high load applications: more stable performance in frequent gear change scenarios.

Disadvantages of hydraulic clutches

1. Complexity: Hydraulic systems are more complex than mechanical systems and can be more difficult to maintain and troubleshoot.

2. Hydraulic leakage: There is a risk of leakage in hydraulic systems, which may require regular inspection and replacement of seals.

3. Cost: Hydraulic clutches can cost more than mechanical clutches due to the complexity of the design and components.

4. Dependence on hydraulic fluid: If the hydraulic fluid leaks or becomes contaminated, the entire system may fail, whereas mechanical systems do not depend on a liquid medium.

5. Maintenance costs: Hydraulic systems can be more expensive to repair in the event of a failure than mechanical clutches.

6. Temperature sensitivity: The performance of hydraulic fluids is affected by temperature, and extreme temperatures may affect clutch efficiency.

In summary, hydraulic clutches have the advantages of easy and comfortable operation, low frictional resistance, easy automation and remote control, and high torque transmission capacity. However, they also have disadvantages such as high requirements for hydraulic fluid, high maintenance costs, and being affected by temperature. Therefore, when using hydraulic clutches, it is necessary to fully consider their advantages and disadvantages and select and maintain them according to the actual situation.