Why does the clutch make a clunking sound when released too quickly?
2 Answers
When the clutch is released too quickly, a clunking sound may occur due to the driven friction plate being loose on the steel plate or the separation lever colliding with the window hole. Metal knocking sound when releasing the clutch: If a "click" or "clang" metal impact sound is heard at the moment the clutch engages or disengages, and it is more noticeable when starting with a heavy load, it is caused by excessive clearance between the driven plate spline hole and its shaft. In severe cases, it should be repaired or replaced. If a "clattering" impact sound is heard, this is due to the driven friction plate being loose on the steel plate or the separation lever colliding with the window hole. Sharp screeching sound when releasing the clutch: If a sharp screeching sound is heard just before the clutch engages, and the sound disappears when the pedal is pressed down but reappears when the pedal is released, this is caused by the driven plate steel plate being broken or the rivet heads protruding and scraping against the pressure plate or flywheel. It should be repaired. "Clunking" sound when releasing the clutch: If the clutch pedal is released very slowly and the vehicle jerks forward with a "clunking" sound, this is caused by the sudden engagement of the driving and driven parts. The reasons come from two aspects: one is the deformation of the driven plate or oil contamination on the friction lining, causing the clutch to continue engaging and resulting in jerking; the other is the linkage system being stuck, causing the pressure plate to suddenly press against the driven plate and resulting in jerking.
When I first started driving, I often encountered this issue too. If I released the clutch too quickly, there would be a loud clunking sound, which was quite startling. The main reason is that when you suddenly release the clutch, the engine's flywheel and the transmission gears don't synchronize and engage properly. The engine is spinning fast, and if you press and release the clutch too quickly, the gears slam into the flywheel, causing an impact. Imagine two spinning wheels suddenly colliding—of course, it's going to clunk. Beginners often make this mistake, thinking that doing it quickly saves time, but it actually accelerates wear on components like the clutch plate thinning or flywheel damage, making the sound more likely. I recommend releasing the clutch slowly, feeling for the semi-engagement point. When the car engages smoothly, there won't be any noise. Driving like this long-term can significantly extend component lifespan, save fuel, and improve safety. Now, I've developed the habit of operating the clutch evenly when starting, and the noise has completely disappeared, making the whole driving experience much smoother.
