The parts of the clutch assembly are broken down and described along with their function.
The clutch is an often forgotten about part of a manual transmission. A clutch is the mechanical device that transfers all power from the engine into the transmission of a vehicle. Without a properly operating clutch, power transfer and gear shifting would be very difficult. The clutch is located between the engine flywheel and the transmission. It is often housed within the bellhousing to protect it from external contaminants. Much older vehicles had more of a fully open design. The first section of this system starts at the flywheel. Connected to the flywheel is the pressure plate, with the clutch-friction disc between the two items. On the out side of the pressure plate will be the clutch control unit, or the throwout bearing. The throw out bearing is moved by the use of a clutch fork. The clutch fork is operated by a slave cylinder, and the slave cylinder is control by the master cylinder ultimately controlled by the clutch pedal. The default state of a clutch is engaged.
Clutch Disc: The disc assembly is mounted to the input shaft, between the pressure plate assembly and the flywheel. During engagement, the disc slides forward on the input shaft and becomes solidly clamped, or “engaged”, between the flywheel and the pressure plate assembly. During disengagement, the disc is no longer engaged. Although the pressure plate assembly and flywheel continue rotating, the input shaft and disc are no longer being rotated by the engine.
