Clutch — general information

On models with a manual transmission, a single-plate clutch is used. The hub of the driven disk is equipped with splines and moves freely on them along the splines on the trunnion of the input shaft of the gearbox. Equipped with a diaphragm spring pressure plate, the clutch basket assembly is bolted to the engine flywheel.

The driven disk is clamped between the pressure plate and the flywheel, taking rotation from the latter and transferring it to the transmission input shaft.

Between the hub of the driven disk and its working part equipped with friction plates, damper springs softening the perception of rotation are installed.

The clutch pedal acts on the master cylinder, which in turn supplies hydraulic pressure to the slave cylinder. In this case, the clutch release lever is rotated and the release bearing is displaced. The release bearing, moving, creates pressure on the inside of the petals of the diaphragm spring, pushing them towards the flywheel. At the same time, the outer edges of the spring petals bend, pushing the driven disk away from the flywheel and thereby disengaging the clutch.

On 4.2L models, a servo block is installed between the clutch pedal and the master cylinder, which reduces the pedal force required to disengage the clutch. The working vacuum is supplied to the servo drive from the inlet pipeline.

The assembly of the valve and the pusher of the servo unit are planted on the same axis, which, in the event of a loss of vacuum, allows the clutch to function directly from the pusher.

The slave cylinder piston is spring-loaded towards the release lever, which compensates for the wear of the friction linings of the driven disk by automatically deepening the piston into the cylinder.