Clutch

Clutch

General description

The manual transmission is mated to a single dry-disc, hydraulically-operated clutch. The pressure plate is a diaphragm-spring and the disc has a spring-cushioned hub. A self-aligning, sealed-ball throw-out bearing is used to depress the diaphragm spring. The clutch has its own fluid reservoir and master cylinder which provides hydraulic pressure when the clutch pedal is depressed.

Operation

The clutch pedal is connected to the master cylinder with a push-rod. When the pedal is depressed, the push-rod exerts pressure against the master cylinder piston. As the piston begins to move, it draws fluid from the fluid reservoir and forces it through the hydraulic line to the slave cylinder piston. Slave cylinder piston pressure causes the clutch fork to move the throw-out bearing against the pressure plate. As the diaphragm spring is depressed, pressure on the disc is released and the clutch disengages. When the clutch pedal is released, the procedure is reversed and the clutch engages.