How Long Does a Clutch Cable Last?

The clutch cable is an essential part of your vehicle’s clutch system. The clutch is a device that engages and disengages the power transmission, and allows you to shift gears while you are driving. Manual transmission vehicles have a clutch pedal that you depress, which is connected to the clutch cable. Once you press down on the clutch pedal, the clutch cable frees the clutch plates, which allows the gears to shift.

Over time, the clutch cable can become stretched or broken which can cause the clutch to quit working properly. If the clutch pedal feels hard and resists being pressed down, the clutch pedal has gone bad. If you keep pressing the pedal, the cable is liable to break. If this happens, the clutch cable will need to be replaced by a professional mechanic as the pedal will not work until the cable is in good working condition again.

A stretched clutch cable can mimic signs of clutch problems. For example, the clutch will stop working altogether and the vehicle will not move when it is shifted into gear. This can be from a stretched or broken clutch cable. Another issue from a stretched clutch cable is the vehicle will slip out of gear. This means if you are in park, your vehicle may slip into drive and you start moving. Slipping can be hazardous because you never know when your vehicle is going to switch gears on you.

Leaks may happen if the clutch cable is broken or has become slightly detached. If the cable has become detached with no other damage, reattaching it will solve the problem. This should be done by a mechanic to ensure the cable is still in good working order.

Since the clutch cable can fail or break over time, it is important to be aware of the symptoms that indicate your clutch cable is stretching.

Signs that your clutch cable need to be replaced include:

  • Clutch pedal is hard to press
  • Clutch pedal may depress all the way to the floor and not return to its normal position
  • It is difficult to shift gears
  • Clutch pedal does not respond at all

If you recognize any of these symptoms above, you should consult a certified mechanic to inspect your vehicle and repair your clutch cable if necessary.


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Recent Clutch Cable Replacement reviews

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Richard

14 years of experience
601 reviews
Richard
14 years of experience
Chevrolet Metro L4-1.3L - Clutch Cable - North Las Vegas, Nevada
Richard is very nice and knows what he is doing! He proved too me that I have a GREAT car even for it's miles! Thanx Richard
Geo Tracker - Clutch Cable - Las Vegas, Nevada
He was prompt, polite. He was able to fix my problem & make adjustments to my liking. He did a great job!

Theodore

17 years of experience
1794 reviews
Theodore
17 years of experience
Volkswagen Jetta L4-2.0L - Clutch Cable - Lynnwood, Washington
He worked in the WA drizzle, and now my car I see better than when I first got it (used). I'm aware now of what a bad clutch cable feels like, and as this was my first time ever using the site, I'm probably a lifer. The warranty, being able to schedule & know that he is going to show up was a relief. I've dealt with some mechanics that just aren't as professional or thorough as this platform seems to be. Thank you so much!
Toyota Camry - Ignition Coil - Woodinville, Washington
I was very impressed with Theodore and his ability to trouble shoot and fix my car. He came out once and stayed for an entire hour and my car engine would not die so he could not assess the problem. Not only did he not charge me but he rescheduled with me for Saturday and I assured him that the car would be in the state that it will not start. He diagnosed the problem (ignition coil), left to pickup the part, returned and installed the part and car is now running perfectly. I feel that Theodore went above and beyond what I expected and I will refer anyone I know that needs the help of a honest, trustworthy, professional mechanic. Thanks again Theodore you made a stressful situation a positive experience!

Torrieanto

13 years of experience
632 reviews
Torrieanto
13 years of experience
Ford Mustang V8-5.0L - Clutch Cable Replacement - Saint Petersburg, Florida
A job well done.

Peter

37 years of experience
346 reviews
Peter
37 years of experience
Nissan Sentra L4-1.6L - Clutch Cable - Tempe, Arizona
Peter showed up on time and did an awesome job. I'd highly recommend him to anyone.

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