Rating of the best clutch manufacturers. How to choose, advantages and disadvantages

The clutch system, present exclusively in cars with an automatic transmission, allows you to disconnect the rotating engine flywheel from the gearbox and change gear. It consists of three elements: basket, disk and coupling. The main load is taken by the disk, and it is the disk that most often fails. Replacing a disk is a complex and expensive process, so the manufacturer must be as reliable as possible, and making the right choice is very difficult. You can rely on user reviews, but you should understand that wear largely depends on the car and driving style. When selecting products for our rating, we were guided primarily by tests of independent experts who look at all aspects and can draw a conclusion about the quality of the product produced by a particular company.

The best clutch disc is the one that will last as long as possible, and in addition will cost reasonable money. There are a lot of manufacturers on the market that produce high-quality parts, but their prices are often sky-high. In this case, the combination of price and quality is important, and we found 10 manufacturers who have won positive reviews from both ordinary car owners and experts.

More details about the package

The complete clutch consists of the following elements:

• Pressure disk . The round disk has a characteristic bulge. Release springs are built into it. They have a tight connection with the pressure pad in a similar round shape. The diameter of the platform is comparable to the size of the flywheel. Under the influence of the release bearing, the springs move towards the center of the pressure plate;
• Driven disk . Round, it includes spring plates, and 2 independent friction linings are riveted to them. It is located between the flywheel and the pressure pad;
• Friction linings . Mainly made from carbon material. They are located on the driven disk; in most cases, special rivets are responsible for their fastening;
• The system for driving the installed clutch into action. That system which, using the clutch pedal in tandem with a moving cable, helps us control the clutch release;
• Clutch pedal . It is located, of course, in the car interior, and it is always the leftmost pedal.

From the above it is easy to understand that the clutch is a rather complicated mechanism in which each element is of significant importance. If any part in a car clutch fails, then the adjacent one will deteriorate. And the principle of operation of the clutch kit comes down to reliable compression of the surface of the metal flywheel and the pressure plate.

What about replacement time?

The clutch does not have any specific resource or wear. This is all determined by the materials from which the parts are made, as well as the engine power. But the most important thing is your driving style. For “leisurely” drivers, 250 thousand kilometers is not the limit, but those who like to slip on the spot will burn out the clutch in just a few days.

Although we are not able to measure the thickness of the clutch disc as we do with the brake disc (vernier caliper), there is a reliable way. Get a calibrator . With it, you can measure the thickness without having to directly dismantle the clutch. The operation is carried out on a lift.

The burning smell from the clutch is one of the alarming moments, since the friction coating of the driven disc is exposed to high temperatures, baking and losing its characteristic properties. The clutch slips if the overheated driven disc does not have proper connection with the pressure plate and flywheel. Such signs tell us that a visit to the service station can no longer be avoided. Although drivers who want to save money and not spend money on a clutch kit will also purchase a flywheel in the future.

Another reason to buy a new clutch kit is wear on the driven disc due to abrasion of the viscous material on the linings. If you decide to ignore this problem, then be prepared for the linings to begin to fall apart when overloaded.

Exploitation

In order to avoid a large number of troubles associated with clutch failure, it is important not only to carry out vehicle maintenance on time, but also to adhere to a number of operating tips. It is strictly prohibited:

• If the car is moving forward, try to use reverse gear;
• Change gears quickly when driving;
• Changing gears while performing a maneuver - this can very easily accompany the car skidding;
• Drive on slippery sections of the road with the clutch engaged;
• In cold weather, you should not leave the car in gear for a long time;
• In conjunction with stopping or braking the car, switch from higher to lower gear in a timely manner.

Please note that knowledge of the technical instructions . So, for example, you should change gears in accordance with the specified maximum and minimum speeds for each of them. Monitor the oil level and clean the gearbox regularly. Press the clutch pedal sharply, but release it smoothly.

What to choose from

Manufacturer VALEO

The clutch feels softer and more comfortable to use than what competitors offer. It is also second to none in reliability and durability. VALEO users leave mostly only positive reviews. And they assure that one purchased kit can be enough for a fairly long period of use. True, such comfort has its drawbacks - the price. VALEO costs noticeably more than its competitors, but they are not asking for this money in vain.

Manufacturer LUK

If we talk about a company specializing only in clutches, then we cannot fail to mention LUK. The clutch disc is equipped with reinforced springs. Due to this and the consistently high German quality, the clutch kit will perform well for a long time. The price-quality ratio takes its toll. You pay and get exactly the grip you expect. This choice is clearly good for those who are accustomed to soft starts and careful driving.

Manufacturer SACHS

When purchasing a SACHS, everyone notes that it does not require additional maintenance from the first days of use. Balanced torque transmission ensures a comfortable ride. Also, clutch kits from this company can withstand additional loads without any problems. Perhaps the only disadvantage of this kit is its cost.

Manufacturer KraftTech

The clutches of this company are manufactured in Turkey. What captivates us about KraftTech is its price and what we get in the end. Craft is well recommended for regular urban use. If you often have to sit in traffic jams, then you don’t need to worry, because the flywheel is very reliable. True, there is also a drawback, where would we be without it. Namely, an untrustworthy release bearing. According to reviews from the owner, its service life is approximately 40 thousand kilometers. The clutch is good, but you should not expect much from it for its price, but if your budget is not very high, it is better to choose a Craft than a fake.

RELEASE BEARING

If the kit includes a plastic bearing, you can put the box aside or then replace it with a standard VAZ metal bearing. During active driving, the plastic part begins to “howl” and then crumbles. Attempts to solve the problem by “immersing” the bearing in lubricant solve the problem only for a short time.

The font and code must be clearly applied, and the paint should not be erased by a simple touch. Carefully inspect the metal sheets of the basket

It is important that they are all located in the same plane. If at least one petal protrudes, the car will twitch and the pedal will constantly vibrate

Any deviations are unacceptable; if there are any, we immediately refuse the purchase.

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How to distinguish an original from a fake

We all know that when purchasing a product there is a risk of buying a low-quality part, that is, a fake. Visually distinguishing “China” from the original is quite difficult, and sometimes impossible without special tests. What steps should you take to find out what you bought? One has only to test the friction material and everything will immediately become clear.

So, you will need a grinding machine (popularly called a “grinder”) with an abrasive wheel, which needs to be used to work on the material. Did you immediately notice a peculiar smell of something burning? If so, then most likely you have a non-original part. Just imagine: all this can happen in your clutch housing. A non-original disc does not fit properly, causing the friction linings to burn. The original will behave quite differently in the above test. During the first attempt, it is almost not subjected to sharpening, and the friction linings do not change their original appearance.

A fake will not serve you for long, and may result in damage to the pressure mechanism. The reason is that if it overheats, cracks appear on the disk and it simply loses the lion's share of its frictional properties. The springs will become unusable - after overheating they will not retain their former elasticity. Subsequently, you will have to purchase the entire clutch mechanism.

How to protect yourself before purchasing? Very simple. Follow a certain number of rules, and you will never fall for a fake:

• Buy from trusted suppliers;
• Pay attention to the cost of the product; even during the discount season, it is unlikely that anyone will sell you a part at half its market value.
• The quality of the kit and the integrity of the package. If possible, be sure to check the contents and quality of the parts, since even a visual inspection can reveal a design defect.

Also pay attention to the packaging. It should have a hologram on it indicating that you are looking at an original product.

Conclusion

The clutch, as we were able to understand, is a very important mechanism in the structure of the entire car. During operation, it is important to treat it with care and not subject it to unnecessary stress. If you are a careful driver, then your clutch will serve you faithfully. Even if a breakdown occurs, the clutch market is full of good manufacturers. It is recommended to always carry out timely maintenance when problems occur. When purchasing, pay attention to the manufacturer and do not buy from just anyone. As the experience of many car owners shows, the more you save now, the more you will have to pay for repairs later. However, analogues of the above brands can be purchased - they are practically not inferior to the originals.