Negative Consequences of a Loose Clutch Cable on a Land Rover
by schearerswpadmin December 8, 2020There are a number of parts under the hood of your Land Rover that allows it to be the reliable car you know and love. If any of these parts develop issues, however, that performance may be compromised and you may begin to notice problems developing under the hood. Rest assured that vehicle issues are normal and can usually be fixed quickly.
With that in mind, there are some issues that warrant extra attention and should be a reason to take your vehicle in immediately upon noticing them. Issues with the clutch cable, such as it being loose, is a great example.
Always trust a professional to look at your vehicle and never try to fix issues with the clutch cable yourself. This is an intricate part that can be difficult to replace without the experience or knowledge held by an auto technician.
What does the clutch cable do?
On manual transmission vehicles, the clutch cable is a steel braided cable that connects the transmission clutch to the clutch pedal mechanism. Understanding how this allows your vehicle to function is imperative to understand why you need to take your car in right away if you notice problems developing with this system.
When you press down on the clutch pedal, a hydraulic system allows the clamp to release, which activates the clutch cable and enables your vehicle to shift via the transmission. If there is a problem with the clutch cable, your vehicle may not be able to shift and you may notice that your ride becomes a lot less safe and a lot bumpier.
On a more specific level, the clutch cable disengages the clutch plate when the clutch pedal is pressed down upon. This action is the sole reason your vehicle is able to shift gears. Without a working clutch cable, you may not be able to switch gears at all and your vehicle may be dead in the water.
Due to this, you should take your vehicle into the shop right away if you notice problems developing with the clutch cable. This is a serious issue that can become a major problem, so it is best to not leave it unattended. Below are some of the common signs that can help you spot when there is a problem with the clutch, and all of them should be taken as serious causes for concern.
Signs of a Bad Clutch Cable
As mentioned above, the clutch cable plays an important role in allowing your vehicle to shift smoothly. Given this, it is certainly in your best interest to get the vehicle repaired as soon as possible so that the problem does not become worse. With that in mind, here are some common signs to watch out for:
Transmission Slipping
Naturally, issues with the transmission should be the first indicator that something is wrong with the clutch cable. Since the clutch cable connects to the transmission, any issues that develop may result in the clutch cable being unable to allow the transmission to shift. If it feels as if your car just changed gears for no reason, it is entirely possible that is exactly what happened.
Hard Clutch Pedal
If the clutch pedal is difficult to press down all of a sudden, it is completely possible that the cable itself is broken and the reason your clutch is not depressing. Whether the cable is broken or jammed does not matter. All that matters is that you notice this sign and bring your vehicle into the shop right away.
Spongy Clutch Pedal
A spongy clutch pedal, the opposite of a hard clutch pedal, is when you meet almost no resistance whatsoever with the clutch, or there is a noticeable difference to what it usually feels like. Regardless, this is an indicator that the clutch cable is having problems.
Schearer’s Sales and Service, Inc. For Your Auto Needs
At Schearer’s Sales and Service, Inc., we 
understand just how important the clutch cable is to the overall functionality of your vehicle. It is our mission to restore the reliability you have come to love on your Land Rover.
Our knowledgeable technicians have experience working with clients around Allentown, Bethlehem, and Macungie, PA. Please give us a call or come in today to see why we are the best in the business. We look forward to earning your business and patronage soon.