Clutch operation: when the clutch pedal is depressed, the release clutch in the gearbox moves the pusher (6) clutch to the left, towards the crankshaft (2). Due to this, the thrust disk is pressed against the belleville spring (1). This spring, located in the pressure plate (3), arching, releases the drive disk (5) clutch, as a result of which the disk can rotate freely with the box shaft. Now there is no connection between the flywheel (4). connected to the crankshaft and pressure plate mounted on the shaft of the box. If the clutch pedal is released, the disengaging disc, together with the working rod, returns back. A belleville spring in the pressure plate presses the drive plate against the flywheel again. Now the crankshaft and gearbox shaft are connected again
Power is transferred from the engine to the gearbox by friction. The rubbing parts in this case are:
- flywheel as friction surface:
- clutch pressure plate, which is the second friction surface; the pressure plate presses on the flywheel;
- clutch drive disc, it also participates in friction and is located on the drive shaft of the gearbox;
- clutch release clutch.
When the clutch pedal is pressed, force is transmitted through the clutch rod and the release lever rotates on the shaft. The pusher transmits this movement through a disengaging clutch located in the gearbox. The pusher moves in the hole of the drive shaft and through the thrust plate presses on the pressure plate spring. The disengaging clutch takes on the force of the spring, the pressure plate is unloaded and moves back when the pedal is fully depressed. Now the clutch drive plate can rotate freely with the gearbox shaft. The clutch is off.
When the clutch is engaged, the disc spring of the pressure plate presses on the drive plate again towards the engine flywheel. For a smooth transfer of force, this must be done slowly. In this way, the friction surfaces slide over each other for a certain time before the friction becomes so great again that the engine power is completely transferred to the gearbox.
This releases heat. At low speeds and short-term clutch, less heat is generated than at high speeds and slowly depressing the clutch pedal. The duration of contact and heat generation determine the life of the linings on the clutch drive plate.
Clutch life
There are drivers who, after 15,000 km, replace the old clutch assembly with a new one. Others make a replacement after 100,000 km. The clutch has a longer life if the car is predominantly driven long distances and the clutch is handled with care. If the driver is forced to drive in his car mainly in the city (and the clutch pedal is pressed more often than usual), it is unlikely that he will be able to maintain the first clutch for a long time.
As already mentioned in the previous section, with each engagement, the linings of the drive disk are in contact with the surface of the opposite part. as a result of which the parts are heated. Wear is particularly affected by starting off at high engine speeds, starting off in 2nd gear, driving at junctions in 2nd or 3rd speed with the clutch pedal partially depressed and "balancing" on a slope using the clutch pedal and the accelerator pedal.
Do I need to disengage the clutch at an intersection during a stop
A very common bad habit is to wait for a traffic light with 1st gear engaged and the clutch pedal depressed. Some drivers fear that they will not be able to quickly switch to one or another speed when the green light turns on. Even if direct, tangible damage does not immediately appear, disengaging the clutch still loads the disengaging clutch and causes wear. The more often and longer this mistake is made in front of many traffic lights, the sooner the clutch wears out.
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