1. Components/purpose (Terminology) Engine Flywheel – keeps the engine running smoothly but also provides a flat smooth surface that the Centre Plate is pushed against. Centre Plate/ Driven Plate/Clutch Plate – friction material plate which is clamped between the Pressure Plate and the Flywheel. It is splined on to the Gearbox Input Shaft which it turns when the clutch is engaged. The small coil springs fitted to the Centre Plate prevent the clutch snatching when being engaged. Cover Assembly – this consists of the Pressure Plate, Diaphragm or Coil Springs, which when the clutch is engaged, forces the Pressure plate forwards pushing the Centre Plate onto the Flywheel in order to transmit the Engines Torque (turning effort) through to the Transmission. Release Bearing/Thrust Bearing – this bearing pushes against the clutch Diaphragm Fingers or Coil Spring Release levers to disengage the clutch. Clutch Fork – this is part of the mechanism which is connected to the Clutch Pedal, it is connected to the Release Bearing and is used to slide the Release Bearing forwards or backwards depending on whether the clutch is being engaged or disengaged. Gearbox Input Shaft/Primary Shaft/First Motion Shaft/Spigot Shaft – this is the shaft the Clutch Centre Plate Turns

2. Reason For Clutches Allows in the gears to be selected, forward and reverse Used with manual transmission systems. Allow smooth take up of drive. Next > The Clutch allows the drive between the engine and transmission to be disconnected for the following reasons. Provides temporary disconnection when vehicle stopped in gear.

3. Clutch Action Drive disc (engine flywheel) attached to engine. Clutch action can be shown by two discs. Driven disc (clutch centre plate) disconnected, no drive. Driven disc (clutch centre plate) attached to the Gearbox input shaft. Driven disc (clutch centre plate) in contact with drive disc (engine flywheel) gearbox input shaft driven Driven disc Input shaft for the Gearbox Drive disc Engine Next > Engine Flywheel Clutch Centre Plate

4. Clutch System Parts Clutch housing protects clutch components from outside elements. Clutch system consists of: Flywheel. Clutch Plate (driven plate). Pressure Plate Assembly. Release Bearing. Clutch Fork. Next > Clutch plate Pressure plate assembly Release bearing Clutch fork Clutch housing Flywheel

5. Clutch System Parts - Clutch Plate - 1 Splines mesh with the gearbox input shaft. This allows the centre plate to slide on the input shaft, however as soon as it turns, the input shaft must turn with it. Fitted between flywheel and pressure plate. Frictional material riveted to cushion springs on either side of friction ring. Rivets Friction material Splined hub Next >

6. Clutch System Parts - Clutch Plate - 2 Cushioning springs cushion force as pressure plate pushes clutch plate onto flywheel. Torsional springs soften load applied to clutch plate as it begins to turn. Cushion springs Torsional spring Cushion springs Next >

7. Clutch System Parts - Pressure Assembly - 1 Assembly comprises: Used to push clutch plate onto flywheel. Coil spring type uses a number of coil springs to push pressure plate against clutch plate. Two types of pressure plate: Coil Spring and Diaphragm Spring. Pressure plate. Cover. Cover Pressure plate Next > Diaphragm/coil spring. Diaphragm spring

8. Diaphragm spring pressure plate assembly uses dish-shaped spring. As spring is pushed toward engine, clutch plate released. As spring is released, pressure returned to clutch plate. Cover Next > Clutch System Parts - Pressure Assembly - 2 Pressure plate Pivot rings

9. Coil Spring Clutch In the coil spring clutch, coil springs are used instead of a diaphragm spring. levers are used to pull back the pressure plate when the clutch is disengaged Release levers Pressure Plate

10. Clutch System Parts - Release Bearing & Clutch Fork As clutch fork moves, it pushes release bearing and disengages pressure plate from clutch plate. Release bearing and clutch fork move pressure plate. As clutch fork moves in the other direction, releasebearing engages clutch plate. Release bearing Clutch fork Next >

11. Clutch Operating Mechanisms - Mechanical Multi-stranded steel wire cable connected between clutch fork and foot pedal. As pedal depressed, it pivots operating clutch fork. Wire protected by flexible outer sheath. Return spring helps return clutch fork to rest position. Return spring Outer sheath Wire cable Next >

12. Clutch Operating Mechanisms - Hydraulic Pipe connected between foot pedal and clutch fork. As foot pedal released, springs return system to rest position. Two cylinders: master cylinder and slave cylinder. As foot pedal depressed, master cylinder builds pressure in system, slave cylinder activated. Master cylinder Slave cylinder Pipe Next >