Import Car Clutch Repair in Athens, GA
You love your manual, and so do we. Athens Import Auto Repair does import car clutch repair in Athens, GA. We work on BMW, VW, Mini Cooper, Honda, Subaru, Mazda, Porsche and more.
Clutch Repair done right, by people who know imports
The clutch is the part that connects the engine to the gearbox. When it wears out, the engine revs, but the car does not pull. Most imports also have a dual mass flywheel that wears along with it, so we check both.
Does your pedal feel odd, or does the car chatter when you start off? Call 706-353-3880.
BMW, Audi and VW manuals use a slave cylinder inside the bell housing. That part should be replaced with every clutch. Mini Cooper and VW GTI clutches take a beating from spirited driving. Subaru WRX clutches wear fast if the car is launched hard. Honda Civic Si and Mazda Miata clutches are simple and strong. The Porsche 944 has its clutch at the engine and the gearbox at the back. That makes it a big job, but we have done it. Bring your manual to Athens Import Auto Repair in Athens, GA.
Signs your clutch is wearing out
- The engine revs up but the car does not speed up, which means a slipping clutch.
- The car shakes or chatters when you let the pedal out.
- The pedal is very stiff, or it stays down on the floor.
- You smell something burning after a hill or a hard start.
- You hear a grind when you shift into gear.
- There is a rattle at idle that goes away when you push the pedal.
What our clutch service includes
Clutch check and road test
We test for slip, chatter and pedal feel, then check the fluid and look for leaks.
Clutch kit replacement
We replace the disc, pressure plate and release bearing as a set. Doing one at a time is a waste of labor.
Dual mass flywheel
This flywheel has springs inside to smooth the engine, but over time it wears out and rattles. We replace it when needed.
Slave and master cylinder
These are the hydraulic parts that move the clutch when you press the pedal. Many imports put the slave inside the gearbox, so we replace it during the job.
Rear main seal
This seal sits right behind the flywheel. Since we are in there anyway, we check it and replace it if it seeps.
Clutch hydraulic flush
Old fluid makes the pedal feel soft, so we flush it and bleed the system.
How a clutch job works
Describe the feel
Is it slip, chatter or a strange pedal? Tell us when it started.
We test the clutch
We drive the car and check the hydraulics to confirm it is the clutch.
You approve the parts
We list the clutch kit, flywheel and any seals, and then you decide.
We replace and test
We pull the gearbox, replace the parts and put it back. Then we drive the car to check the feel.
Why drivers trust us with clutch repair
We do the whole job once
The gearbox comes out for a clutch. That is why we replace the wear parts behind it at the same time.
We know import flywheels
Most imports use a dual mass flywheel. We can tell when it can stay and when it must go.
Manual fans ourselves
We drive manuals, not just fix them. So we set the pedal up until it feels right.
James has been here for 25 years and knows how to fix your issue with your import. Honest and took really good care of my mini cooper.
Carpenter, K., customerClutch Repair FAQ
Do you do import car clutch repair in Athens, GA?
Yes, we do. Athens Import Auto Repair replaces clutches and flywheels on manual imports. That includes BMW, VW, Audi, Mini Cooper, Honda, Subaru, Mazda and Porsche. Call 706-353-3880 to book.
How long does a clutch last on a BMW?
Most BMW clutches last 80,000 to 150,000 miles, but city driving and hard starts shorten that. A slipping clutch or a rattle at idle means it is time.
What is a dual mass flywheel?
A dual mass flywheel has two halves with springs between them. The springs soak up engine vibration, but over time they wear and rattle. Most imports have one, and it is often replaced with the clutch.
Why is my clutch pedal stuck to the floor?
A pedal that stays down usually means a failed master or slave cylinder. These are the hydraulic parts that move the clutch, and a fluid leak is a common cause. We find the leak and replace the part.
Can you replace just the clutch disc and not the flywheel?
Sometimes we can. If the flywheel is smooth and not worn, it can stay. On many imports, though, the flywheel is worn by the time the clutch fails. We check it and tell you.
Will a new clutch fix the chatter when I start off?
Usually it will. Chatter comes from a worn disc, oil on the disc or a bad flywheel. We also check for a rear main seal leak, so the new clutch stays clean.
Related services
Need clutch repair in Athens?
Call us or book your visit, and we will get your manual pulling hard again.
Open Monday to Friday, 8 am to 6 pm. After hours, leave a message or send the form and we will call you back.
Send us a message
Tell us your car and what you notice. We will call you back during shop hours.
If the form does not show, call 706-353-3880.