Mechanical process available to repair recalled clutches (4)
I believe the answer is:
rote
'mechanical process' is the definition.
(as in learning by rote)
'available to repair recalled clutches' is the wordplay.
'clutches' says the answer is hidden in the clue (I've seen 'clutching' mean this).
'recalled' says the letters should be written in reverse (to recall can mean to bring something back).
'etor' is hidden in the letters of 'available to repair'.
'etor' backwards is 'ROTE'.
(Other definitions for rote that I've seen before include "mindless activity?" , "Mechanical routine" , "performance based solely on routine" , "Memorisation by repetition" , "Learn by . . . . to have off by heart" .)