Clutch repair & replacement in Liverpool
Clutches are our speciality. We have been fitting them on Aigburth Road since 1977, and we are the workshop local garages and main dealers send their clutch work to. Most clutches are fitted the next day.
- Family-run since 1977
- All work guaranteed
- Trusted by local garages & dealers
Clutch repairs from Liverpool's specialists
Clutches are the heart of what we do. Top Gear Transmissions has been a dedicated clutch and gearbox repair centre at 312 Aigburth Road since 1977, and after nearly fifty years we have seen, and fixed, every way a clutch can fail.
We are also the workshop other workshops use. A high volume of local garages and main dealers send their clutch and transmission work to us, because removing a gearbox to fit a clutch is exactly the job we are set up to do quickly and properly. Six ramps across two workshop areas mean we can usually take your car the same day. Ring first on 0151 726 1777 and we will hold a ramp for you.
Signs your clutch is failing
A clutch rarely fails without warning. The usual signs, roughly in the order they appear:
- Slipping. The revs rise but the car doesn't pull, most noticeable uphill, when overtaking or towing.
- A high biting point. The pedal needs to come almost all the way up before the car moves.
- Judder. Shaking or shuddering as you pull away from a standstill.
- A burning smell. A sharp, acrid smell after hard use is the friction plate overheating.
- A heavy, stiff or grinding pedal. Often the release bearing or the hydraulics rather than the plate itself.
A slipping clutch never gets better on its own, and the longer it slips the more heat damage it can do to the flywheel behind it, which turns a clutch kit into a clutch kit plus flywheel. If you recognise any of the signs above, it is worth a phone call now rather than a recovery truck later.
What a clutch replacement involves
We start with a road test to confirm the clutch is actually the problem. Sometimes a "clutch fault" turns out to be a gear linkage or hydraulic issue that is far simpler to put right. You get a straight diagnosis and a fixed price before any work starts. No work is undertaken without your authorisation.
A full replacement means supporting the engine, removing the gearbox, fitting a complete three-part kit (cover, friction plate and release bearing) and inspecting the flywheel and rear oil seals while everything is apart. It is the right time to deal with a worn dual-mass flywheel, because the labour is already paid for. Then the gearbox goes back in, the hydraulics are bled, and the car is road tested again before you collect it.
Book in early and most clutches are fitted the next day.
The parts we fit
We only fit OE-quality clutch kits. LUK and Valeo come first, with Exedy and Sachs where they are the right kit for the car. These are the brands the vehicle manufacturers themselves fit on the production line. A bargain clutch kit saves money once and costs it back many times over, and the labour to fit a cheap clutch is the same as the labour to fit a good one.
We fit complete three-part kits as standard, and we supply and fit dual-mass flywheels and solid-flywheel conversions where appropriate.
Why Liverpool drivers (and garages) choose Top Gear
- Nearly fifty years of clutches. Family-run on Aigburth Road since 1977.
- Six ramps, two workshops. Capacity for next-day fitting, including trade work.
- The garage other garages use. Main dealers and local independents send us their clutch jobs.
- A warranty in plain numbers. Not "guaranteed" in small print, but the exact terms below.
Our warranties, in plain terms
| Work | Warranty |
|---|---|
| Reconditioned gearboxes | 12 months / 12,000 miles |
| Clutches | 12 months / 12,000 miles |
| Repairs | 3 months |
| Low-mileage second-hand gearboxes | 28 days |
What customers say about our clutch work
“I called Top Gear only a day before the Easter bank holiday. Mark initially said they were too busy and I'd be without the car until after the long weekend, but he later called back to say it would be ready the next morning. That was an absolute life saver, and I'm so happy with the level of work done. Fast, efficiently dealt with and back on the road. Top marks from me.”
“New clutch kit fitted to my dad's Mokka. Excellent service and communication from Mark and Sam. Booked in quickly and driving like a dream. Thank you.”
“The staff are so helpful and knowledgeable. They talked me through the job that needed doing, replaced the clutch master cylinder, and had the car ready to collect the next day. I would definitely recommend them. Thank you.”
Need a clutch looked at today? Call 0151 726 1777. We usually have a spare ramp for same-day appointments, and you will get a straight answer either way.
Frequently asked questions
What are the first signs of clutch failure?
The most common early signs are the engine revving without the car gaining speed, a high or vague biting point, judder when pulling away, and a burning smell after hills or towing. If you notice any of these, get the clutch checked before it fails completely.
Can you repair a clutch or does it need replacing?
Usually a worn clutch is replaced rather than repaired, because the cover, friction plate and release bearing wear together as a set. Some faults, such as a cable, hydraulic leak or adjustment, can be fixed without a new clutch. We diagnose first and tell you which it is.
Book your vehicle in
Call us for honest advice and a straight answer. We usually have a spare ramp for same-day appointments, so call first to check.
Family-run since 1977 · All work guaranteed · Trusted by local garages and main dealers