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Clutch
Description
General Clutch Operation
The clutch is a conventional three piece, diaphragm type fitted
with a hydraulic clutch release system which comprises two
main components, a master cylinder and slave cylinder.
The clutch requires no adjustment to compensate for clutch
wear.
Clutch Hydraulics
The master cylinder is located inside the vehicle, fitted directly
to the pedal box. The piston pushrod is attached to a spigot
on the clutch pedal and is secured with a clip.
The clutch pipe is connected to the master cylinder by a swivel
coupling which aids installation and alignment. The other end
of the pipe terminates in a 'quick fit' connector next to the
slave cylinder. The pipe is flexible and allows ease of routing
and prevents failure due to engine movement and vibration.
The slave cylinder is fitted on the manual transmission housing
bracket. The release arm, the release fork and release bearing
form the release mechanism. The release bearing support is
fitted with a guide sleeve which is fitted on the manual gearbox
input axis. The pipe from the slave cylinder terminates in a
'quick fit' connector next to the master cylinder. When it is
released, the release fork pushes the release bearing against
the clutch diaphragm spring.
Clutch Mechanism
Vehicles fitted with manual transmission are fitted with a single
mass flywheel. The pressure plate assembly is mounted to the
flywheel locating on three dowels and secured using six bolts.
Pressure Plate
1. Diaphragm spring
2. Cover
3. Pressure plate
4. Fulcrum rings
5. Leaf springs
Version 2.0
The pressure plate assembly comprises a diaphragm spring,
pressure plate and cover. The pressure plate is manufactured
from cast iron and is machined to ensure a smooth surface
for the drive plate to engage on. The outer diameter of the
pressure plate features three lugs connecting it via leaf springs
to the cover. The leaf springs have three tempered steel leaves
and pull the pressure plate away from the drive plate when the
clutch pedal is depressed. The cover houses the diaphragm
spring and the pressure plate and is manufactured from pressed
steel.
The diaphragm spring features a cast ring with eighteen fingers
on its inner diameter. Two circular steel fulcrum rings are
attached to the housing and allows the diaphragm to pivot
between them. The diaphragm is not physically attached to
the pressure plate. When pressure is applied to the diaphragm
fingers from the release bearing, the diaphragm pivots between
the fulcrum rings and moves away from the pressure plate.
The leaf springs attaching the pressure plate to the cover move
away from the drive plate.
Drive Plate
1. Drive plate
2. Friction material
3. Splined hub
4. Torsion damper
The drive plate is fitted between the flywheel and the pressure
plate assembly and features a splined hub which engages with
the splines on the transmission input shaft. This plate provides
the attachment surface for the spring steel segments. The
friction material comprises two discs which are riveted to
each side of the spring steel segments. The rivets are secured
through recessed holes in the friction material and emerge in
clearance holes in the opposite disc to prevent damage to the
pressure plate and flywheel.
Clutch Switch
The clutch switch is located in the pedal box and consists of an
inner sensor in an outer mounting sleeve. To ensure correct
orientation, the sensor is keyed to the mounting sleeve and
Transmission
437
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